Notes to Financial Statements

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following are the significant accounting policies of The Oakmark Fund ("Oakmark"), The Oakmark Select Fund ("Select"), The Oakmark Small Cap Fund ("Small Cap"), The Oakmark Equity and Income Fund ("Equity and Income"), The Oakmark Global Fund ("Global"), The Oakmark International Fund ("International"), and The Oakmark International Small Cap Fund ("Int'l Small Cap") collectively referred to as "the Funds", each a series of the Harris Associates Investment Trust (a Massachusetts business trust). These policies are in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The presentation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Security valuation—

Investments are stated at current market value. Securities traded on securities exchanges and securities traded on the NASDAQ National Market are valued at the last sales price on the day of valuation, or if lacking any reported sales that day, at the most recent bid quotation. Over-the-counter securities not so traded are valued at the most recent bid quotation. Money market instruments having a maturity of 60 days or less from the date of valuation are valued on an amortized cost basis which approximates market value. Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at a fair value as determined by the Pricing Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees.

Foreign currency translations—

Values of investments and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the mean of the bid and offer prices of such currencies at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are converted at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized gain or loss from investments.

Net realized gains on foreign currency transactions arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds' books, and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid, and the realized gains or losses resulting from the portfolio and transaction hedges.

At September 30, 1999, only the Equity and Income, Global, International and Int'l Small Cap Funds had foreign currency transactions. Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)-other includes the following components:

Security transactions and investment income—

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis.

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Forward foreign currency contracts—

At September 30, 1999, Global, International and Int'l Small Cap had entered into forward foreign currency contracts under which they are obligated to exchange currencies at specified future dates. The Funds' currency transactions are limited to transaction hedging and portfolio hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. These contracts are valued daily and the fund's net equity therein, representing unrealized gain or loss on the contracts as measured by the difference between the forward foreign exchange rates at the dates of entry into the contracts and the forward rates at the reporting date, is included in the statement of assets and liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in the statement of operations.

The contractual amounts of forward foreign exchange contracts do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. Risks arise from the possible inability of counter parties to meet the terms of their contracts and from movements in currency values.

The Global Fund had the following outstanding contracts at September 30, 1999:

Portfolio Hedges—

The International Fund had the following outstanding contracts at September 30, 1999:

Portfolio Hedges—

Transaction Hedges: Foreign Currency Purchases—

Transaction Hedges: Foreign Currency Sales—

The Int'l Small Cap Fund had the following outstanding contracts at September 30, 1999:

Portfolio Hedges—

Transaction Hedges: Foreign Currency Purchases:

Transaction Hedges: Foreign Currency Sales—

At September 30, 1999, Global, International and Int'l Small Cap Funds each had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover any commitments under these contracts.

Securities Lending—

Each Fund except The Oakmark Fund may lend portfolio securities to broker-dealers and banks. As of December 31, 1998, the Funds discontinued participation in a securities lending program and any securities previously loaned to borrowers have been returned.

Federal income taxes, dividends and distributions to shareholders—

No provision is made for Federal income taxes. The Funds elect to be taxed as "regulated investment companies" and make such distributions to their shareholders as to be relieved of all Federal income taxes under provisions of current Federal tax law.

The Funds hereby designate the approximate long term capital gains for purposes of the dividends paid deduction (in thousands):

The amount of income dividends and capital gains distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. To the extent these book and tax differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified among paid in capital, undistributed net investment income and undistributed net realized gain (loss) on investments. These differences are primarily related to foreign currency transactions, deferral of losses on wash sales, and character of capital loss carryforwards. The Funds also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as a part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes.

Bank Loans—

The Funds have two unsecured lines of credit with a syndication of banks. One line of credit is a committed line of $350 million and the other is an uncommitted line of $250 million. Borrowings under this arrangement bear interest at .50% above the Federal Funds Effective Rate. As of September 30, 1999, there were no outstanding borrowings.

2. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Each fund has an investment advisory agreement with Harris Associates L.P. (Adviser). For management services and facilities furnished, the Funds pay the Adviser monthly fees at annual rates as follows. Oakmark pays 1% on the first $2.5 billion of net assets, .95% on the next $1.25 billion of net assets, .90% on the next $1.25 billion of net assets, .85% on the next $5 billion of net assets, and .80% on the excess of $10 billion of net assets. International pays 1% on the first $2.5 billion of net assets, .95% on the next $2.5 billion of net assets, and .90% on the excess of $5 billion of net assets. Select pays 1% on the first $1 billion, .95% on the next $500 million, .90% on the next $500 million, .85% on the next $500 million, .80% on the next $2.5 million of net assets, and .75% on the excess of $5 billion of net assets. Small Cap pays 1.25% on the first $1 billion of net assets, 1.15% on the next $500 million, 1.10% on the next $500 million, 1.05% on the next $500 million, and 1% on the excess of $2.5 billion. Equity and Income pays .75% of net assets, Int'l Small Cap pays 1.25% of net assets, and Global pays 1.00% of net assets. Each fee is calculated on the total net assets as determined at the end of each preceding calendar month. The Adviser has voluntarily agreed to reimburse the Funds to the extent that annual expenses, excluding certain expenses, exceed 1.5% for domestic funds, 2.0% for international funds, and 1.75% for Global.

In connection with the organization of the Funds, expenses of approximately $7,283 were advanced each to Small Cap, Equity and Income and Int'l Small Cap, and $3,500 to Select by the Adviser. These expenses are being amortized on a straight line basis through October, 2000 for Small Cap, Equity and Income and Int'l Small Cap, and October, 2001 for Select.

During the twelve months ended September 30, 1999, the Funds incurred brokerage commissions of $5,015,100, $2,890,278, $2,569,414, $128,972, $93,787, $3,642,521 and $1,155,829 of which $1,944,758, $725,722, $213,191, $56,545, $29,127, $0 and $0 were paid by Oakmark, Select, Small Cap, Equity and Income, Global, International and Int'l Small Cap, respectively, to an affiliate of the Adviser.

The Funds' Trustees may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan which may be terminated at any time. The obligations of the Plan are paid solely out of the assets of the Funds. All amounts payable under the Plan as of September 30, 1999 have been accrued.

3. FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Proceeds and payments on Fund shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are in respect of the following number of shares (in thousands):

(a) From August 4, 1999, the date on which fund shares were first offered for sale to the public.

Effective January, 1999, the Funds offer two classes of shares. Class I shares are offered to the general public and Class II shares are offered to certain 401(k) and other tax qualified plans. Because no Class II shares have been issued as of September 30, 1999, no financial data is presented.

4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in investment securities (excluding short term securities) were as follows (in thousands):

5. TRANSACTIONS IN SECURITIES OF AFFILIATED ISSUERS

Affiliated issuers, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are those in which the Fund's holdings of an issuer represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer. A summary of the Fund's transactions in the securities of these issuers during the year ended September 30, 1999 is set forth below:

Summary of Transactions with Affiliated Companies
The Oakmark Fund

Summary of Transactions with Affiliated Companies
The Oakmark Select Fund

Summary of Transactions with Affiliated Companies
The Oakmark Small Cap Fund

Summary of Transactions with Affiliated Companies
The Oakmark International Fund

Summary of Transactions with Affiliated Companies
The Oakmark International Small Cap Fund