<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-K

               (x) Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
                    of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                 For the fiscal year ended:  December 31, 1996
                                      or
                 ( ) Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13
                or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                       Commission file number:  0-18702

                  THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.
             ----------------------------------------------------
             (Safety of Equity Capital; Targeting Overall Return)

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

            DELAWARE                                  13-3568563
   -------------------------------          -------------------------------
   (State of other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
    incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

                  C/O MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT PARTNERS INC.
                       MERRILL LYNCH WORLD HEADQUARTERS
                            WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER
               SOUTH TOWER, 6TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY  10080-6106
               ------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (212) 236-4167
                                                           --------------

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:  None

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO    Limited Partnership Units 
SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:            -------------------------      
                                         (Title of Class)            
                                          


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X          No    
                                         ---             ---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [X]

Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates:  the
registrant is a limited partnership and, accordingly, has no voting stock held
by non-affiliates or otherwise.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant's "1996 Annual Report and Independent Auditors' Report," the
annual report to security holders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,
is incorporated by reference into Part II, Item 8 hereof and filed as an Exhibit
herewith.

<PAGE>
 
                 THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.

                      ANNUAL REPORT FOR 1996 ON FORM 10-K


                               Table of Contents
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     PART I                                                                  PAGE
                                     ------                                                                  ----
<S>        <C>                                                                                               <C>
Item 1.    Business.........................................................................................   1

Item 2.    Properties.......................................................................................   7

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings................................................................................   7

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders..............................................   8

                                    PART II
                                    -------
Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters............................   8

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data..........................................................................   8

Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............  11

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......................................................  13

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.............  14

                                    PART III
                                    --------
Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..............................................  14

Item 11.    Executive Compensation..........................................................................  16

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..................................  16

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..................................................  16

                                    PART IV
                                    -------
Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K...................................  17
</TABLE>

                                      -i-

<PAGE>
 
                                     PART I

ITEM 1:  BUSINESS
         --------

         (a) General Development of Business:
             ------------------------------- 

             The S.E.C.T.O.R. Strategy Fund /(SM)/ L.P. (Safety of Equity
Capital; Targeting Overall Return) (the "Partnership" or the "Fund") was
organized under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act on April
30, 1990 and began trading operations on July 16, 1990. The Fund is closed-end
and made only the initial offering of its units of limited partnership interest
("Units"). The Partnership engages in the speculative trading of a portfolio of
futures and forward contracts and related options in the currencies, interest
rates, metals, agricultural and energy sectors of the world commodity markets.

             Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc. (the "General Partner" or
"MLIP") acts as the general partner of the Partnership and selects and allocates
the Fund's assets among professional advisors ("Trading Advisors" or
"Advisors"), each unaffiliated with MLIP and each of which trades independently
of the others.  MLIP also determines what percentage of the Fund's assets to
allocate to trading and what percentage to hold in reserve.  Merrill Lynch
Futures Inc. (the "Commodity Broker" or "MLF") is the Partnership's commodity
broker.  The General Partner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Group
Inc., which, in turn, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
("ML&Co.").  The Commodity Broker is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
ML&Co. (ML & Co. and it affiliates are herein sometimes referred to as "Merril
Lynch").

             In addition to its trading accounts, the Partnership maintains a
cash account. From time to time, the General Partner allocates and reallocates
Partnership assets among its trading and cash accounts in an attempt to increase
profit potential while limiting the downside risks associated with futures and
forward trading (in order to prevent ML&Co. from incurring any obligations under
its guarantee of a minimum Net Asset Value per Unit, as described below).
Initially, the General Partner allocated approximately 30% of the Partnership's
assets to cash and approximately 70% to the trading accounts. As of December 31,
1996, approximately 100% was allocated to trading.

             The total initial capitalization of the Partnership as of January
4, 1993 was $125,853,001. Through December 31, 1996, Units with an aggregate Net
Asset Value of $6,434,267 have been redeemed, (including December 31, 1996
redemptions which were actually paid in January 1997). The Partnership's
capitalization was $31,949,032, and the Net Asset Value of a Unit sold as of
July 16, 1990 for $100 was $194.47.


             The Fund is a "principal protected" commodity pool. ML&Co. provides
the guarantee described below under Item 1(c), "Narrative Description of
Business -- ML&Co.'s 'Principal Protection' Undertaking to the Fund" -- that the
Net Asset Value per Unit will equal at least $133.80 as of September 30, 1997
(the "Principal Assurance Date"). Originally, the Fund's Principal Assurance
Date was set at five years after trading commenced. Effective October 1, 1995,
the Fund restarted its trading program for a new Time Horizon of two years'
duration. This guarantee does not prevent substantial investor losses, but
rather serves only as a form of "stop loss," limiting the maximum loss which
investors who retain their Units until the Principal Assurance Date can incur.
In order to protect ML&Co. from any liability under its guarantee, MLIP imposes
substantial opportunity costs on the Partnership by deleveraging its trading,
allocating a substantial portion of the Fund's assets to its cash account rather
than to trading. At such time, if any, as the Net Asset Value per Unit declined
to 110% or less of the present value of the guaranteed minimum Net Asset Value
per Unit discounted back from the Principal Assurance Date, MLIP would terminate
trading altogether in order to ensure that ML&Co. incurred no financial
obligation to the Fund under ML&Co.'s guarantee of the minimum Net Asset Value
per Unit.

             Through December 31, 1996, the highest month-end Net Asset Value 
per unit was $195.14 (November, 1996) and the lowest was $102.26 (July, 1990).


             At the outset of trading only 70% of the Fund's capital was 
allocated to trading. As of September 30, 1995, (the first Principal Assurance 
Date for the Fund) and December 31, 1996, 100% and 100% were so allocated.

  
         (b) Financial Information about Industry Segments:
             --------------------------------------------- 

             The Partnership's business constitutes only one segment for
financial reporting purposes, i.e., a speculative "commodity pool."

                                      -1-

<PAGE>
 
      (c) Narrative Description of Business:
          --------------------------------- 

          GENERAL

          The Partnership was organized to trade in futures, options and forward
contracts in major sectors of the world economy, with the objective of achieving
capital appreciation over time while assuring investors of at least a return of
their initial investment as of the Principal Assurance Date.

          The General Partner functions as the Partnership's trading manager and
is responsible for selecting Advisors to manage the Partnership's assets,
allocating and reallocating assets among the Advisors and determining the
percentage of the Partnership's assets committed to trading from time to time.

          Although considered as a whole, the Partnership trades in a
diversified range of international markets, certain of the Trading Advisors,
considered individually, concentrate primarily on trading in a limited portfolio
of markets.

          The different "sectors" included in the Partnership's portfolio, and
the extent to which the portfolios traded by two or more Trading Advisors may
overlap, varies substantially over time.  The Trading Advisors chosen to trade
the Partnership's assets in a particular market "sector" may also trade in other
"sectors," thereby increasing the possibility of portfolio overlap.

          The Fund trades in diverse international futures and forward markets.
These markets are traded through futures, options on futures and forward
contracts and offer the ability to trade either side of a market (long or
short).

          The Fund accesses certain of the Trading Advisors not by opening
individual managed accounts with them, but rather through investing in private
funds sponsored by MLIP through which the trading accounts of different MLIP-
sponsored funds managed by the same Advisor and pursuant to the same strategy
are consolidated.

          One of the objectives of the Fund is to provide diversification to a
limited portion of the risk segment of the Limited Partners' portfolios into an
investment field that has historically often demonstrated a low degree of
performance correlation with traditional stock and bond holdings.  Since it
began trading, the Fund's returns have, in fact, frequently been significantly
non-correlated (not, however, negatively correlated) with the United States
stock and bond markets.

          MERRILL LYNCH & CO.'S "PRINCIPAL PROTECTION" UNDERTAKING TO THE FUND

          Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the parent company of the Merrill Lynch
organization, which includes the General Partner and the Commodity Broker, has
agreed to contribute sufficient capital to the Partnership so that it will have
adequate funds, after adjustment for all liabilities to third parties, that the
Net Asset Value per Unit will be no less than $133.80 as of the second Principal
Assurance Date (September 30, 1997). This guarantee, which is effective only as
of the Principal Assurance Date, is not a guarantee of profit. This guarantee is
a general, unsecured obligation of ML&Co.

          OPERATION OF THE PARTNERSHIP AFTER PRINCIPAL ASSURANCE DATE

          When the Fund reached its first Principal Assurance Date, MLIP
"restarted" the Fund's trading program and the ML&Co. guarantee for a two year 
period ending September 30, 1997.  MLIP may determine to dissolve the Partner-
ship as of the Principal Assurance Date September 30, 1997, to extend the ML&Co.
guarantee for a certain period of time (again resetting the minimum Net Asset
Value per Unit guaranteed by ML&Co.) or to continue to operate the Fund without
a "principal protection" feature. All investors will be given notice by no later
than August 15, 1997 as to what the operation of the Fund (if any) will be after
the Principal Assurance Date.

          USE OF PROCEEDS AND INTEREST INCOME

          General.  In the Fund's speculative trading, the Fund's assets are not
          -------                                                               
used to purchase or acquire any physical comodity but rather held as security
for and to pay the Fund's trading losses as well as any expenses and
redemptions. The primary use of the Fund's capital is to permit the Advisors to
trade on a speculative basis in a wide range of different futures, forwards and
options on futures markets on its behalf, while allocating to the Partnership's
cash account such amounts as MLIP deems

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
appropriate in order to protect ML&Co. from any obligation under its guarantee.
While being used for this purpose, the Fund's assets are also generally
available to earn interest, as more fully described below under "-- Available
Assets."

          Market Sectors.  The Partnership trades in a diversified group of
          --------------                                                   
markets under the direction of multiple independent Advisors.  These Advisors
can, and do, from time to time materially alter the allocation of their overall
trading commitments among different market sectors.   Except in the case of
certain trading programs which are purposefully limited in the markets which
they trade, there is essentially no restriction on the commodity interests which
may be traded by any Advisor or the rapidity with which an Advisor may alter its
market sector allocations.

          The Fund's financial statements contain information relating to the
market sectors traded by the Fund.  There can, however, be no assurance as to
which markets may be included in the Fund's portfolio or as to in which market
sectors the Fund's trading may be concentrated at any one time or over time.

          Market Types.  The Fund trades on a variety of United States and
          ------------                                                    
foreign futures exchanges.  Applicable exchange rules differ significantly among
different countries and exchanges.  Substantially all of the Fund's off-exchange
trading takes place in the highly liquid, institutionally based currency forward
markets.  The forward markets are generally unregulated, and in its forward
trading the Fund does not deposit margin with respect to its positions.  The
Partnership's forward currency trading is executed exclusively through the
Foreign Exchange Service Desk (the "F/X Desk") operated by MLIP and certain of
its affiliates, with MLF as the back-to-back intermediary to the ultimate
counterparties, which include Merrill Lynch Investment Bank  ("MLIB") with which
the Advisors trade on behalf of the Fund.

          As in the case of its market sector allocations, the Fund's
commitments to different types of markets -- U.S. and non-U.S., regulated and
unregulated -- differ substantially from time to time as well as over time.  The
Fund has no policy restricting its relative commitment to any of these different
types of markets.

         The Fund's financial statements contain information relating to the
types of markets traded by the Fund.  There can, however, be no assurance as to
in which markets the Fund may trade or the Fund's trading may be concentrated at
any one time or over time.

          Custody of Assets.  All of the Fund's assets are currently held in 
          -----------------  
customer accounts at Merrill Lynch.

          Available Assets.  The Fund earns interest, as described below, on its
          ----------------                                                      
"Available Assets,"  which can be generally described as the cash actually held
by the Fund or invested in short-term Treasury bills.  Available Assets are held
primarily in U.S. dollars, and to a lesser extent in foreign currencies, and are
comprised of the following:  (a) the Fund's cash balance in the offset accounts
(as described below) -- which includes "open trade equity" (unrealized gains and
losses on open positions) on United States futures contracts, which is paid into
or out of the Fund's account on a daily basis; (b) short-term Treasury bills
purchased by the Fund; and (c) the Fund's cash balance in foreign currencies
derived from its trading in non-U.S. dollar denominated futures and options
contracts, which includes open trade equity on those exchanges which settle
gains and losses on open positions in such contracts prior to the closing out of
such positions.  Available Assets do not include, and the Fund does not earn
interest on, the Fund's gains or losses on its open forward, commodity option
and certain foreign futures positions since such gains or losses are not
collected or paid until such positions are closed out.

          The Partnership's Available Assets may be greater than, less than or
equal to the Fund's Net Asset Value (on which the redemption value of the Units
is based) primarily because Net Asset Value reflects all gains and losses on
open positions as well as accrued but unpaid expenses.

          The interest income arrangements for the Partnership's U.S. dollar
Available Assets differ from those applicable to its non-U.S. dollar Available
Assets.  Interest income, once accrued by the Fund, is subject to the risk of
trading losses.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
          Interest Earned on the Fund's U.S. Dollar Available Assets.  The
          ----------------------------------------------------------      
Fund's U.S. dollar Available Assets are held in cash in offset accounts and in
short-term Treasury bills purchased from dealers unaffiliated with Merrill
Lynch.  Offset accounts are non-interest bearing demand deposit accounts
maintained with banks unaffiliated with Merrill Lynch.  An integral feature of
the offset arrangements is that the participating banks specifically acknowledge
that the offset accounts are MLF customer accounts, not subject to any Merrill
Lynch liability.

          MLF credits the Partnership, as of the end of each month, with
interest at the effective daily 91-day Treasury bill rate on the average daily
U.S. dollar Available Assets held in the offset accounts during such month.  The
Fund receives all the interest paid on the short-term Treasury bills in which it
invests.

          The use of the offset account arrangements for the Partnership's U.S.
dollar Available Assets may be discontinued by Merrill Lynch whether or not
Merrill Lynch otherwise continues to maintain its offset arrangements.  The
offset arrangements are dependent on the banks' continued willingness to make
overnight credits available to Merrill Lynch, which, in turn, is dependent on
the credit standing of ML&Co.  If Merrill Lynch were to determine that the
offset arrangements had ceased to be practicable (either because ML&Co. credit
lines at participating banks were exhausted or for any other reason), Merrill
Lynch would thereafter attempt to invest all of the Fund's U.S. dollar Available
Assets to the maximum practicable extent in short-term Treasury bills.  All
interest earned on the U.S. dollar Available Assets so invested would be paid to
the Fund, but MLIP would expect the amount of such interest to be less than that
available to the Fund under the offset account arrangements.  The remaining U.S.
dollar Available Assets of the Fund would be kept in cash to meet variation
margin payments and pay expenses, but would not earn interest for the Fund.

          The banks at which the offset accounts are maintained make available
to Merrill Lynch interest-free overnight credits, loans or overdrafts in the
amount of  the Fund's U.S. dollar Available Assets held in the offset accounts,
charging Merrill Lynch a small fee for this service.  The economic benefits
derived by Merrill Lynch -- net of the interest credits paid to the Fund and the
fee paid to the offset banks -- from the offset accounts have not exceeded  3/4
of 1% per annum of the Fund's average daily U.S. dollar Available Assets held in
the offset accounts.  These revenues to Merrill Lynch are in addition to the
Brokerage Commissions and Administrative Fees paid by the Fund to MLF and MLIP,
respectively.

          Interest Paid by Merrill Lynch on the Fund's Non-U.S. Dollar Available
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets.  Under the single currency margining system implemented for the
------                                                                 
Partnership, the Partnership itself does not deposit foreign currencies to
margin trading in non-U.S. dollar denominated futures contracts and options. MLF
provides the necessary margin, permitting the Fund to retain the monies which
would otherwise be required for such margin as part of the Fund's U.S. dollar
Available Assets.  Consequently, the Fund does not earn interest on foreign
margin deposits.  The Fund does, however, earn interest on its non-U.S. dollar
Available Assets.  Specifically, the Fund is credited by Merrill Lynch with
interest at the local short-term rate on realized and unrealized gains on non-
U.S. dollar denominated positions for such gains actually held in cash by the
Fund.  Merrill Lynch charges the Fund Merrill Lynch's cost of financing realized
and unrealized losses on such positions.

          In order to avoid the expense of daily currency conversions, the Fund
holds foreign currency gains and finances foreign currency losses on an interim
basis until converted into U.S. dollars and either paid into or out of the
Fund's U.S. dollar Available Assets.  Foreign currency gains or losses on open
positions are not converted into U.S. dollars until the positions are closed.
Assets of the Fund while held in foreign currencies are subject to exchange rate
risk.

          Forward Transactions.  Spot and forward currency contracts are the
          --------------------                                              
only non-exchange traded instruments held by the Fund.

          To date, approximately 20% to 30% of the Fund's trades by volume have
been in forward currency contracts, but from time to time the percentage of the
Fund's trading represented by forward currency trades may fall substantially 
outside this range. In using the F/X Desk, the Fund trades through MLF. Because
the Fund need not deposit any margin with MLF in respect of the Fund's forward
trading, the Fund's additional risk in trading in such unregulated markets
should be limited to a possible loss of unrealized profits on open forward
positions which a counterparty accessed through MLF would not, in the event of
its bankruptcy, be able to pay to MLF for the account of the Fund (MLF not 
itself being obligated to pay such unrealized profits to the Fund unless MLF is 
paid by MLF's counterparts).


                                      -4-

<PAGE>
 
          Having the Fund (and the other MLF clients using the F/X Desk) trade
through the F/X Desk on the basis of MLF's credit lines permits the F/X Desk to
access a wide range of counterparties without the need of such counterparties
evaluating the individual credit of the Fund (or any other MLF client).

          CHARGES

          The following table summarizes the charges incurred by the Fund during
1994, 1995 and 1996.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                     1994                             1995                             1996            
                                     ----                             ----                             ----            
                                       % OF AVERAGE                     % OF AVERAGE                     % OF AVERAGE  
                             DOLLAR      MONTH-END            DOLLAR      MONTH-END            DOLLAR      MONTH-END   
       COST                  AMOUNT      NET ASSETS           AMOUNT      NET ASSETS           AMOUNT      NET ASSETS  
       ----                ----------    ----------         ----------    ----------         ----------    ----------        
<S>                        <C>           <C>                <C>           <C>                <C>           <C>         
Brokerage                  $4,373,478         9.30%         $3,384,015         9.04%         $2,636,241         8.21%  
 Commissions**                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                      
Administrative Fees**         124,957         0.27              96,686          0.26             75,321         0.23   
                                                                                                                      
Profit Shares                 529,654         1.13           1,084,170          2.90            457,989         1.43   
                           ----------    ----------         ----------    ----------         ----------    ----------        
                                                                                                                      
       Total               $5,028,089        10.70%         $4,564,871        12.20%         $3,169,551         9.87%  
                           ==========    ==========         ==========    ==========         ==========    ==========  
</TABLE>
_______________

** A portion of the Brokerage Commissions in prior periods have been 
reclassified to conform to the current period presentation of the Administrative
Fees.  
                             ____________________

          The foregoing table does not reflect the bid-ask spreads paid by the
Fund on its forward trading, or the annual benefits derived by Merrill Lynch
from the deposit of certain of the Fund's U.S. dollar Available Assets in offset
accounts. See Item 1(c), "Narrative Description of Business -- Use of Proceeds
and Interest Income."

          The Fund's average month-end Net Assets during 1994, 1995 and 1996
equaled $47,036,260, $37,436,445 and $32,095,064, respectively.

          During 1994, 1995 and 1996, the Fund earned $1,793,843, $1,954,622 and
$1,364,326 in interest income, or approximately 3.81%, 5.22% and 4.25% of the
Fund's average month-end Net Assets.

          As of January 1, 1996, the 9.0% per annum Brokerage Commissions paid
by the Fund to MLF were recharacterized as 8.75% per annum Brokerage Commissions
and a 0.25% per annum Administrative Fee paid by the Fund to MLIP. This
recharacterization had no economic effect on the Fund.

                             ____________________

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
                           CHARGES PAID BY THE FUND
 
RECIPIENT           NATURE OF PAYMENT         AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
---------           -----------------         -----------------
 
MLF                 Brokerage Commissions     A flat-rate monthly commission of
                                              0.729 of 1% (a 8.75% annual rate)
                                              of the Fund's month-end assets
                                              committed to trading. As of
                                              December 31, 1996, 100% of the
                                              Fund's assets were allocated to
                                              trading.

                                              During 1994, 1995 and 1996, the
                                              round-turn (each purchase and sale
                                              or sale and purchase of a single
                                              futures contract) equivalent rate
                                              of the Fund's flat-rate Brokerage
                                              Commissions was approximately $18,
                                              $86 and $118, respectively.

MLF                 Use of Fund assets        Merrill Lynch derives an annual
                                              benefit from the deposit of
                                              certain of the Fund's U.S. dollar
                                              Available Assets in offset
                                              accounts which to date has not
                                              exceeded 3/4 of 1% of such average
                                              daily U.S. dollar Available
                                              Assets.

MLIP                Administrative Fees       As of January 1, 1996, the
                                              Brokerage Commissions payable by
                                              the Fund were reduced to 8.75%
                                              annually, and the Fund began to
                                              pay MLIP a monthly Administrative
                                              Fee equal to 0.020833 of 1% of the
                                              Fund's month-end assets committed
                                              to trading (0.25% annually). This
                                              change had no economic effect on
                                              the Fund. MLIP pays all of the
                                              Fund's routine administrative
                                              costs.

MLIB                Bid-ask spreads           Under MLIP's F/X Desk
                                              arrangements, MLIB receives bid-
                                              ask spreads on the forward trades
                                              it executes with the Fund.

Other               Bid-ask spreads           The counterparties other than MLIB
 Counterparties                               with which the F/X Desk deals also
                                              each receive bid-ask spreads on
                                              the forward trades executed with
                                              the Fund.
 
MLIP                F/X Desk service fees     Under the F/X Desk arrangements,
                                              MLIP or another Merrill Lynch
                                              entity receives a service fee
                                              equal, at current exchange rates,
                                              to approximately $5.00 to $12.50
                                              on each purchase or sale of each
                                              futures contract-equivalent
                                              forward contract exe-cuted with
                                              counterparties other than MLIB.

MLIB                EFP differentials         MLIB or an affiliate receives a
                                              differential spread for exchanging
                                              the Fund's spot currency positions
                                              (which are acquired through the
                                              F/X Desk, as described above) for
                                              equivalent futures positions.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
                           CHARGES PAID BY THE FUND

RECIEPIENT          NATURE OF PAYMENT         AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
----------          -----------------         ----------------- 

Trading Advisors    Profit Shares             Prior to January 1, 1997, all 
                                              Advisors received quarterly Profit
                                              Shares ranging from 15% to 25%
                                              (depending on the Trading Advisor)
                                              of any New Trading Profit. As of
                                              January 1, 1997, a number of
                                              Advisors agreed to receive only
                                              annual Profit Shares. Profit
                                              Shares are also paid upon
                                              redemption of Units to each
                                              Advisor. New Trading Profit is
                                              calculated separately in respect
                                              of each Advisor, irrespective of
                                              the overall performance of the
                                              Fund. The Fund may pay substantial
                                              Profit Shares during periods when
                                              it is incurring significant
                                              overall losses.
 
MLF;                Extraordinary expenses    Actual costs incurred; none paid
 Others                                       to date, and expected to be
                                              negligible.
 
                             ____________________

          REGULATION

          The General Partner, the Trading Advisors and the Commodity Broker are
each subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the
National Futures Association.  Other than in respect of its periodic reporting
requirements, and the registration of the Units for continuous public
distribution under the Securities Act of 1933, the Partnership itself is
generally not subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
However, MLIP itself is registered as an "investment adviser" under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

          (i) through (xii) -- not applicable.

          (xiii)  The Partnership has no employees.

      (d) Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations
          -----------------------------------------------------------
and Export Sales:
---------------- 

          The Partnership does not engage in material operations in foreign
countries, nor is a material portion of the Partnership's revenues derived from
customers in foreign countries.  The Partnership does, however, trade, from the
United States, on a number of foreign commodity exchanges.

ITEM 2:   PROPERTIES
          ----------

          The Partnership does not use any physical properties in the conduct 
of its business.

          The Partnership's only place of business is the place of business of
the General Partner (see Item 10 herein).  The General Partner performs all
administrative services for the Partnership from the General Partner's offices.

ITEM 3:   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
          -----------------

          There are no pending legal proceedings to which the Partnership or 
the General Partner is a party.

          John W. Henry & Company, Inc. ("JWH") is one of the Advisors retained
by the Fund, managing approximately 23% of the Fund's assets committed to
trading as of January 1, 1997.  In September 1996, JWH was named as a co-
defendant in class action lawsuits brought in the California Superior Court, Los
Angeles County and in the New York Supreme Court, New York County.  In November,
JWH was named as a co-defendant in a class action complaint filed in Superior
Court of the State of Delaware for Newcastle County that contained the same
allegations as the New York and California complaints.  The actions, which seek
unspecified damages, purport to be brought on behalf of investors in certain 
Dean Witter, Discover

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
& Co. ("Dean Witter") commodity pools, some of which are advised by JWH, and are
primarily directed at Dean Witter's alleged fraudulent selling practices in
connection with the marketing of those pools. JWH is essentially alleged to have
aided and abetted or directly participated with Dean Witter in those practices.
JWH believes the allegations against it are without merit; it intends to contest
these allegations vigorously, and is convinced that it will be shown to have
acted properly and in the best interest of the investors.

ITEM 4:  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
         ---------------------------------------------------

         The Partnership has never submitted any matters to a vote of its
Limited Partners.


                                    PART II

ITEM 5:  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         -------------------------------------------------------------
MATTERS
-------

         (a)  Market Information:
              ------------------ 

              There is no established public trading market for the Units, nor
will one develop. Rather, Limited Partners may redeem Units as of the end of
each month at Net Asset Value. Units redeemed prior to the applicable Principal
Assurance Date are not entitled to any benefits under the Merril Lynch & Co.
Inc. guarantee.


         (b)  Holders:
              ------- 

              As of December 31, 1996, there were 164,289 holders of Units, 
including the General Partner and the Trading Advisors.

         (c)  Dividends:
              --------- 

              The Partnership has made no distributions since trading commenced,
nor does the General Partner presently intend to make any distributions in the
future.

ITEM 6:  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
         -----------------------

         The following selected financial data has been derived from the 
audited financial statements of the Partnership.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED     YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED
                                          DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,   DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
         INCOME STATEMENT DATA                1996           1995           1994           1993          1992
         ---------------------            -------------  -------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
Revenues:
 
   Trading Profits  (Loss)
      Realized Gain (Loss)                  $3,756,114    $10,514,336    $(1,230,908)   $17,144,009  $ 18,586,913
      Change in Unrealized (Loss) Gain        (284,224)    (1,160,384)      (504,496)       247,039   (17,586,059)
                                            ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------  ------------
 
         Total Trading Results               3,471,890      9,353,952     (1,735,404)    17,391,048     1,000,854
 
Interest Income                              1,364,326      1,954,622      1,793,843      1,486,414     2,408,344
                                            ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------  ------------
 
         Total Revenues                      4,836,216     11,308,574         58,439     18,877,462     3,409,198
 
Expenses:
 
   Brokerage Commissions                     2,636,241      3,480,701      4,498,435      5,826,942     7,669,324
   Administrative Fees                          75,321
   Profit Shares                               457,989      1,084,170        529,654      1,564,454     1,542,471
                                            ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------  ------------
 
         Total Expenses                      3,169,551      4,564,871      5,028,089      7,391,396     9,211,795
                                            ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------  ------------
      INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS                2,032,587              0              0              0             0
                                            ----------    -----------    -----------    -----------  ------------
   Net Income (Loss)                        $3,699,252    $ 6,743,703    $(4,969,650)   $11,486,066  $ (5,802,597)
                                            ==========    ===========    ===========    ===========  ============
</TABLE>

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED    YEAR ENDED
                            DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,  DECEMBER 31,
   BALANCE SHEET DATA           1996          1995          1994          1993          1992
   -------------------      ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Fund Net Asset Value         $31,949,032   $34,684,047   $41,096,545   $59,464,495   $65,728,347
Net Asset Value per Unit     $    194.47   $    173.02   $    145.09   $    159.95   $    134.01
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                MONTH-END NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT*
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Jan.     Feb.     Mar.     Apr.     May      June     July     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
<S>                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C> 
1992                    $130.62  $124.31  $125.34  $120.15  $119.65  $120.80  $124.80  $128.31  $132.84  $135.62  $135.48  $134.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1993                    $133.60  $140.26  $140.79  $145.07  $146.00  $148.84  $157.18  $161.47  $159.67  $159.00  $157.00  $159.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994                    $152.94  $147.23  $150.83  $147.70  $152.86  $156.40  $155.52  $150.29  $152.71  $150.36  $149.40  $145.09
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995                    $143.16  $151.75  $158.05  $161.56  $161.66  $158.32  $157.85  $163.55  $167.25  $167.26  $170.88  $173.02
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996                    $181.96  $170.88  $173.16  $175.80  $173.86  $176.00  $171.33  $175.62  $177.79  $185.94  $195.14  $194.47
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

        Pursuant to CFTC policy, monthly performance is presented from January
1, 1992 even though Units were outstanding prior to such date.

____________________

* Month End Net Asset Value is based on redemption values, which differ
immaterially from Net Asset Values as determined under Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles ("GAAP") due to the treatment of organizational and
initial offering cost reimbursements.


                                      -9-

<PAGE>
 
                  THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.
                               DECEMBER 31, 1996

  Type of Pool:  Selected-Advisor/Publicly-Offered/"Principal Protected"/(1)/
                     Inception of Trading:  July 16, 1990
                    Aggregate Subscriptions:  $125,853,001
                     Current Capitalization:  $ 31,949,032
                 Worst Monthly Drawdown/(2)/:  (6.09)%  (2/96)
         Worst Peak-to-Valley Drawdown/(3)/:  (13.78)%  (1/92 - 5/92)
                                 -------------
 
             Net Asset Value per Unit, December 31, 1996:  $194.47
 
         -------------------------------------------------------------
                         Monthly Rates of Returns/(4)/
         ------------------------------------------------------------- 
           Month           1996     1995      1994     1993     1992
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          January          5.17%   (1.33)%   (4.39)%  (0.30)%  (5.87)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          February        (6.09)    6.00     (3.73)    4.99    (4.83)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          March            1.33     4.15      2.44     0.37     0.83
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          April            1.53     2.22     (2.08)    3.05    (4.15)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          May             (1.11)    0.06      3.50     0.64    (0.41)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          June             1.23    (2.07)     2.32     1.94     0.96
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          July            (2.65)   (0.30)    (0.57)    5.60     3.32
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          August           2.50     3.61     (3.36)    2.73     2.81
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          September        1.24     2.26      1.61    (1.12)    3.53
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          October          4.58     0.01     (1.54)   (0.42)    2.09
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          November         4.95     2.16     (0.64)   (1.25)   (0.11)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
          December        (0.35)    1.25     (2.89)    1.88    (1.09)
         -------------------------------------------------------------  
         Compound Annual  
         Rate of Return   12.40%   19.25%    (9.29)%  19.36%    3.43%
         ------------------------------------------------------------- 

          (1)  Pursuant to applicable CFTC regulations, a "Multi-Advisor" fund
is defined as one that allocates no more than 25% of its trading assets (i.e.,
assets committed to trading) to any single manager.  As the Fund may allocate
more than 25% of its trading assets to one or more Advisors, it is referred to
as a "Selected-Advisor" fund.  Applicable CFTC regulations define a "Principal
Protected" fund as one which is designed to limit the loss of participants'
initial investment.  MLIP's trading leverage policies and the ML&Co. guarantee
limit Limited Partners' losses on their Units to the time value of their
investments over the Time Horizon from the beginning of trading to the Principal
Assurance Date.

          (2)  Worst Monthly Drawdown represents the largest negative Monthly
Rate of Return experienced since January 1, 1992 by the Fund; a drawdown is
measured on the basis of month-end Net Asset Value only, and does not reflect
intra-month figures.

          (3)  Worst Peak-to-Valley Drawdown represents the greatest percentage
decline since January 1, 1992 from a month-end cumulative Monthly Rate of Return
without such cumulative Monthly Rate of Return being equaled or exceeded as of a
subsequent month-end. For example, if the Monthly Rate of Return was (1)% in
each of January and February, 1% in March and (2)% in April, the Peak-to-Valley
Drawdown would still be continuing at the end of April in the amount of
approximately (3)%, whereas if the Monthly Rate of Return had been approximately
3% in March, the Peak-to-Valley Drawdown would have ended as of the end of
February at approximately the (2)% level.

          (4)  Monthly Rate of Return is the net performance of the Fund during
the month of determination (including interest income and after all expenses
have been accrued or paid) divided by the total equity of the Fund as of the
beginning of such month.

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7:   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATION
--------------------

          OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW; ADVISOR SELECTIONS

          The Fund's results of operations depend on MLIP's ability to select
Advisors and the Advisors' ability to trade profitably.  MLIP's selection
procedures, as well as the Advisors' trading methods, are confidential, so that
substantially the only available information relevant to the Fund's results of
operations is its actual performance record to date.  However, because of the
speculative nature of its trading, the Fund's past performance is not
necessarily indicative of its future results.

          MLIP's decision to terminate or reallocate assets among Trading
Advisors is based on a combination of numerous factors.  Advisors are, in
general, terminated primarily for unsatisfactory performance, but other factors
-- for example, a change in MLIP's or an Advisor's market outlook, apparent
deviation from announced risk control policies, excessive turnover of positions,
changes in principals, commitment of resources to other business activities,
etc. -- may also have a role in the termination or reallocation decision.  The
market judgment and experience of MLIP's principals is an important factor in
its allocation decisions.

          MLIP has no timetable or schedule for making Advisor changes or
reallocations, and generally makes a medium- to long-term commitment to all
Advisors selected.  There can be no assurance as to the frequency or number of
Advisor changes that may take place in the future, or as to how long any Advisor
will manage assets for the Partnership.

          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

          General.  MLIP believes that multi-advisor futures funds should be
          -------                                                           
regarded as medium- to long-term (i.e., three to five year) investments, but it
is difficult to identify trends in the Fund's operations and virtually
impossible to make any predictions regarding future results based on the results
to date.  An investment in the Fund may be less successful over a longer than
over a shorter period.

          Markets with sustained price trends tend to be more favorable to
managed futures investments than whipsaw, choppy markets, but (i) this is not
always the case, (ii) it is impossible to predict when price trends will occur
and (iii) different Advisors are affected differently by trending markets as
well as by particular types of trends.

          MLIP attempts to control credit risk in the Fund's futures, forward
and options trading (the Fund does not trade derivatives other than futures and
forward contracts and options thereon) by trading only through MLF.  MLF acts
solely as a broker or counterparty to the Fund's trades; it does not advise with
respect to, or direct, any such trading.

          MLIP attempts to control the market risk inherent in the Fund's
trading by MLIP's multi-advisor strategy and Trading Advisor selections.  MLIP
reviews the positions acquired by the Advisors on a daily basis in an effort to
determine whether the overall positions of the Fund may have become what MLIP
analyzes as being excessively concentrated in a limited number of markets -- in
which case MLIP may, as of the next month-end or quarter-end, adjust the Fund's
Advisor combination and/or allocations so as to attempt to reduce the risk of
such over-concentration occurring in the future.  MLIP also adjusts the
percentage of each series' capital allocated to trading, with the principal
objective of protecting ML&Co. from any liability under its guarantee of a 
$133.80 minimum Net Asset Value per Unit as of the Principal Assurance Date. The
market risk to the Fund is limited by the combination of its "principal
protection" feature and multi-advisor strategy.

          The Units began trading with 70% of their capital committed to
trading.  As of December 31, 1996 that percentage was 100%.  MLIP determinations
as to how much of the Fund's assets to allocate to trading from time to time --
again, a determination primarily dictated by MLIP's objective of ensuring that
ML&Co. is never required to make any payments under its guarantee that the Net
Asset Value per Unit will be at least $133.80 as of the Principal Assurance
Date --has a material impact on the performance of the Fund.

          MLIP may consider making distributions to investors under certain
circumstances (for example, if substantial profits are recognized); however,
MLIP has not done so to date and does not presently intend to do so.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
          PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

          1994

          1994 was characterized by relatively quiet markets without many major
price trends.   United States interest rates generally declined during the
period, and as they did, so did the U.S. dollar as compared to the Deutschemark
and certain other major currencies.

          1995

          In 1995, prevailing price trends in several key markets enabled the
Advisors to trade profitably for the Fund.  Although trading in many of the
traditional commodity markets may have been lackluster, the currency and
financial markets offered exceptional trading conditions.  After months
characterized by very difficult trading environments, solid price trends across
many markets (including U.S. Treasury and non-dollar bond markets) began to
emerge during the first quarter of 1995.  In the second quarter, market
volatility once again began to affect trading, as many previously strong price
trends began to weaken and, in some cases, reverse.  The U.S. dollar hit new
lows versus the Japanese yen and Deutschemark before rebounding sharply.  In
addition, there were strong indications that the U.S. economy was slowing which,
when coupled with a failure of the German Central Bank to lower interest rates,
stalled a rally in the German bond market.  During the third quarter, there was
a correction in U.S. bond prices after several months of a strong uptrend.
Despite exposure to the global interest-rate markets, the Fund's long positions
in Treasury bonds had a negative impact on the Fund.  Throughout August and into
September, the U.S. dollar rallied sharply against the Japanese yen and the
Deutschemark as a result of the coordinated intervention by major central banks
and widespread recognition of the growing banking crisis in Japan.  Despite
continued price volatility during the final quarter of 1995, the Trading
Advisors were able to identify several trends in key markets.  U.S. Treasury
bond prices continued their strong move upward throughout November, due both to
weak economic data and optimism on federal budget talks.  As the year ended, the
yield on the 30-year Treasury bond was pushed to its lowest level in more than
two years.

          1996

          1996 began with the East Coast blizzard, continuing difficulties in
federal budget talks and an economic slowdown having a negative impact on many
markets.  The Fund was profitable in January due to strong profits in currency
trading as the U.S. dollar reached a 23-month high against the Japanese yen.  In
February, however, the Fund incurred its worst monthly loss due to the sudden
reversals in several strong price trends and considerable volatility in the
currency and financial markets.  During March, large profits were taken in the
crude oil and gasoline markets as strong demand continued and talks between the
United Nations and Iraq were suspended.  This trend continued into the second
quarter, during which strong gains were also recognized in the agricultural
markets as a combination of drought and excessive rain drove wheat and grain
prices to historic highs.  In the late summer and early fall months, the Fund
continued to trade profitably as trending prices in a number of key markets
favorably impacted the Fund's performance.  In September heating oil hit a five-
year high on soaring prices in Europe, and the Fund was also able to capitalize
on downward trends in the metals markets.  Strong trends in the currency and
global bond markets produced significant gains in October and November, but the
year ended with declining performance as December witnessed the reversal of
several strong upward trends and increased volatility in key markets.

          PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW

          The principal variables which determine the net performance of the
Partnership are gross profitability and interest income.  During all periods set
forth under "Selected Financial Data," the interest rates in many countries were
at unusually low levels.  This negatively impacted revenues because interest
income is typically a major component of commodity pool profitability.  In
addition, low interest rates are frequently associated with reduced fixed-income
market volatility, and in static markets the Fund's profit potential generally
tends to be diminished.  On the other hand, during periods of higher interest
rates, the relative attractiveness of a high risk investment such as the
Partnership may be reduced as compared to high yielding and much lower risk
fixed-income investments.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
          The Partnership's Brokerage Commissions and Administrative Fees are a
constant percentage of assets charge.  The only Fund costs (other than the
insignificant F/X Desk service fees and EFP differentials) which are not based
on a percentage of the Fund's assets are the Profit Shares payable to the
Trading Advisors on an Advisor-by-Advisor basis.  During periods when Profit
Shares are a high percentage of net trading gains, it is likely that there has
been substantial performance non-correlation among the Advisors (so that the
total Profit Shares paid to those Advisors which have traded profitably are a
high percentage, or perhaps even in excess, of the total profits recognized, as
other Advisors have incurred offsetting losses, reducing overall trading gains
but not the Profit Shares paid to the successful Advisors) -- suggesting the
likelihood of generally trendless, non-consensus markets.

          The events that primarily determine the Fund's profitability are those
that produce sustained and major price movements.  The Advisors are generally
more likely to be able to profit from sustained trends, irrespective of their
direction, than from static markets.  During the course of the Partnership's
performance to date, such events have ranged from Federal Reserve Board
reductions in interest rates, the apparent refusal of Iraq to arrive at a
settlement which would permit it to sell oil internationally, the inability of
the U.S. government to agree upon a federal budget and a combination of drought
and excessive rain negatively impacting U.S. agricultural harvesting as well as
planting.  While these events are representative of the type of circumstances
which materially affect the Fund, the specific events which will do so in the
future cannot be predicted or identified.

          Unlike many investment fields, there is no meaningful distinction in
the operation of the Fund between realized and unrealized profits.  Most of the
contracts traded by the Fund are highly liquid and can be closed out at any
time.  Furthermore, the profits on many open positions are effectively realized
on a daily basis through the payment of variation margin.

          Except in unusual circumstances, factors -- regulatory approvals, cost
of goods sold, employee relations and the like -- which often materially affect
an operating business have virtually no impact on the Fund.

          LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

          The Fund's costs are generally proportional to its asset base, and, 
within broad ranges of capitalization, the Advisor's trading positions (and the 
resulting gains and losses) should increase or decrease--approximate proportion 
to the size of the Fund account managed by each of them respectively.

          Inflation per se is not a significant factor in the Fund's
profitability, although inflationary cycles can give rise to the type of major
price movements that can have a materially favorable or adverse impact on the
Fund's performance.

          In its trading to date, the Fund has from time to time had substantial
unrealized gains and losses on its open positions.  These gains or losses are
paid on a periodic basis as part of the routine clearing cycle on exchanges or
in the over-the-counter markets (the only over-the-counter market in which the
Fund trades is the inter-bank forward market in currencies).  In highly unusual
circumstances, market illiquidity could make it difficult for certain Advisors
to close out open positions, and any such illiquidity could expose the Fund to
significant losses, or cause it to be unable to recognize unrealized gains.
However, in general, there is no meaningful difference between the Fund's
realized and unrealized gains.

          In terms of cash flow, it makes little difference whether a market
position remains open (so that the profit or loss on such positions remains
unrealized), as cash settlement of  unrealized gains and losses occurs
periodically whether or not positions are closed out.  The only meaningful
difference between realized and unrealized gains or losses in the case of the
Fund is that unrealized items reflect gains or losses on positions which the
Advisors have determined not to close out (presumably, in the hope of future
profits), whereas realized gains or losses reflect amounts received or paid in
respect of positions no longer being maintained.

ITEM 8:   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
          -------------------------------------------

          The financial statements required by this Item are included in Exhibit
13.01.

          The supplementary financial information ("selected quarterly financial
data" and "information about oil and gas producing activities") specified by
Item 302 of Regulation S-K is not applicable.

                                     -13-

<PAGE>
 
ITEM 9:   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
          ---------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
--------------------

          There were no changes in or disagreements with accountants on
accounting and financial disclosure.


                                   PART III

ITEM 10:  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
------------------------------------------------------------

          (a,b)  Identification of Directors and Executive Officers:
                 -------------------------------------------------- 

                 As a limited partnership, the Partnership itself has no
officers or directors and is managed by the General Partner. Trading decisions
are made by the Trading Advisors on behalf of the Partnership.

                 The principal officers of MLIP and their business backgrounds
are as follows.
 
                 John R. Frawley, Jr.     Chief Executive Officer, President
                                          and Director
 
                 James M. Bernard         Chief Financial Officer,
                                          Senior Vice President and Treasurer

                 Jeffrey F. Chandor       Senior Vice President, Director of
                                          Sales, Marketing and Research and
                                          Director

                 Allen N. Jones           Chairman and Director
 
                 Steven B. Olgin          Vice President, Secretary and Director
                                          of Administration

          John R. Frawley, Jr. was born in 1943.  Mr. Frawley is Chief Executive
Officer, President and a Director of MLIP as well as Co-Chairman of MLF.  He
joined Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith ("MLPF&S") in 1966 and has served
in various positions, including Retail and Institutional Sales, Manager of New
York Institutional Sales, Director of Institutional Marketing, Senior Vice
President of Merrill Lynch Capital Markets, and Director of International
Institutional Sales.  Mr. Frawley holds a Bachelor of Science degree from
Canisius College.  Mr. Frawley served on the CFTC's Regulatory Coordination
Advisory Committee from its inception in 1990 through its dissolution in 1994.
Mr. Frawley is currently a member of the CFTC's Financial Products Advisory
Committee.  In January 1996, he was re-elected to a one-year term as Chairman of
the Managed Futures Association, the national trade association of the United
States managed futures industry.  Mr. Frawley is also a Director of that
organization, and a Director of the Futures Industry Institute.  Mr. Frawley
also currently serves on a panel created by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and
The Board of Trade of the City of Chicago to study cooperative efforts related
to electronic trading, common clearing and the issues regarding a potential
merger.

          James M. Bernard was born in 1950.  Mr. Bernard is Chief Financial
Officer, Senior Vice President and Treasurer of MLIP.  He joined MLF in 1983.
Before that he was the Commodity Controller for Nabisco Brands Inc. from
November 1976 to 1982 and a Supervisor at Ernst & Whinney from 1972 to November
1976.  Mr. Bernard is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John's University
and a Master of Business Administration degree from Fordham University.

          Jeffrey F. Chandor was born in 1942.  Mr. Chandor is Senior Vice
President, the Director of Sales, Marketing and Research and a Director of MLIP.
He joined MLPF&S in 1971 and has served as the Product Manager of Equity,
Derivative Products and Mortgage-Backed Securities as well as Managing Director
of International Sales in the United States, and Managing Director of Sales in
Europe.  Mr. Chandor holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity College,
Hartford, Connecticut.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
          Allen N. Jones was born in 1942.  Mr. Jones is Chairman and a Director
of MLIP.  Mr. Jones graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of
Science, Business Administration degree in 1964.  Since June 1992, Mr. Jones has
held the position of Senior Vice President of MLPF&S.  From June 1992 through
February 1994, Mr. Jones was the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. ("MLIG") and remains on the Board of
Directors of MLIG and its subsidiary companies.  In February 1994, Mr. Jones
became the Director of Individual Financial Services of the Merrill Lynch
Private Client Group.  From January 1992 to June 1992, he held the position of
First Vice President of MLPF&S.  From January 1990 to June 1992, he held the
position of District Director of MLPF&S.  Before January 1990, he held the
position of Senior Regional Vice President of MLPF&S.

          Steven B. Olgin was born in 1960.  Mr. Olgin is Vice President,
Secretary and the Director of Administration of MLIP.  He joined MLIP in July
1994 and became a Vice President in July 1995.  From 1986 until July 1994, Mr.
Olgin was an associate of the law firm of Sidley & Austin.  In 1982, Mr. Olgin
graduated from The American University with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.  In 1986, he
received his Juris Doctor degree from The John Marshall Law School.  Mr. Olgin
is a member of the Managed Futures Association's Government Relations Committee
and has served as an arbitrator for the NFA.

          At its December 1996 Board of Directors meeting, MLIP formed a Finance
Committee composed of representatives of several different operating and
administrative units at Merrill Lynch to oversee the financial controls and
accounting procedures implemented by MLIP.  The Finance Committee will meet
periodically to review MLIP's financial reporting, monitoring and record
keeping, as well as all proposed changes -- other than the selection of Advisors
-- affecting the operations of the Fund.

          As of December 31, 1996, the principals of MLIP had no investment in
the Fund, and MLIP's general partner interest in the Fund was valued at
$489,672.

          MLIP acts as general partner to thirteen public futures funds whose
units of limited partnership interest are registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934: The Futures Expansion Fund Limited Partnership, The Growth
and Guarantee Fund L.P., ML Futures Investments II L.P., ML Futures Investments
L.P., John W. Henry & Co./Millburn L.P., The S.E.C.T.O.R. Strategy Fund /(SM)/
II L.P., The S.E.C.T.O.R. Strategy Fund /(SM)/ IV L.P., The S.E.C.T.O.R.
Strategy Fund /(SM)/ V L.P., The S.E.C.T.O.R. Strategy Fund /(SM)/ VI L.P., ML
Global Horizons L.P., ML Principal Protection L.P. (formerly, ML Principal
Protection Plus L.P.), ML JWH Strategic Allocation Fund L.P. and the Fund.
Because MLIP serves as the sole general partner of each of these funds, the
officers and directors of MLIP effectively manage them as officers and directors
of such funds.

          (c)  Identification of Certain Significant Employees:
               ----------------------------------------------- 

               None.

          (d)  Family Relationships:
               -------------------- 

               None.

          (e)  Business Experience:
               ------------------- 

               See Item 10(a)(b) above.

          (f)  Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings:
               ---------------------------------------- 

               None.

          (g)  Promoters and Control Persons:
               ----------------------------- 

               The General Partner is the sole promoter and controlling person
of the Partnership.

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 11:  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
          ----------------------

          The officers of the General Partner are remunerated in their
respective positions. The Partnership does not itself have any officers,
directors or employees. The Partnership pays Brokerage Commissions to an
affiliate of the General Partner and Administrative Fees to the General Partner.
The General Partner or its affiliates may also receive certain economic benefits
from holding the Fund's dollar Available Assets in offset accounts, as described
in Item 1(c) above. The directors and officers receive no "other compensation"
from the Partnership, and the directors receive no compensation for serving as
directors of the General Partner. There are no compensation plans or
arrangements relating to a change in control of either the Partnership or the
General Partner.

ITEM 12:  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
          --------------------------------------------------------------

          (a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners:
              ----------------------------------------------- 

              As of December 31, 1996, no person or "group" is known to be or
have been the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Units. All of
the Partnership's units of general partnership interest are owned by the General
Partner.

          (b) Security Ownership of Management:
              -------------------------------- 

              As of December 31, 1996, the General Partner owned 2,518 Units
(unit-equivalent general partnership interests), which was less than 2% of the
total Units outstanding.

          (c)  Changes in Control:
               ------------------ 

               None.

ITEM 13:  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
          ----------------------------------------------

          (a)  Transactions with Management and Others:
               --------------------------------------- 

               The General Partner acts as administrative and trading manager of
the Fund. The General Partner provides all normal ongoing administrative
functions of the Partnership, such as accounting, legal and printing services.
The General Partner, which receives the Administrative Fees, pays all expenses
relating to such services.

          (b)  Certain Business Relationships:
               ------------------------------ 

               MLF, an affiliate of the General Partner, acts as the principal
commodity broker for the Partnership.

               In 1996 the Partnership paid: (i) Brokerage Commissions of
$2,636,241 to the Commodity Broker, which included $939,051 in consulting fees
paid by the Commodity Broker to the Trading Advisors; and (ii) Administrative
Fees of $75,321 to MLIP. In addition, MLIP and its affiliates may have derived
certain economic benefits from maintaining a portion of the Fund's assets in
"offset accounts," as described under Item 1(c), "Narrative Description of
Business --Use of Proceeds and Interest Income -- Interest Earned on the Fund's
U.S. Dollar Available Assets" and "Executive Compensation" herein, as well as
from the Fund's F/X Desk and "exchange of futures for physical" ("EFP") trading.

               See Item 1(c), "Narrative Description of Business -- Charges" for
a discussion of other business dealings between MLIP affiliates and the
Partnership.

          (c)  Indebtedness of Management:
               -------------------------- 

               The Partnership is prohibited from making any loans, to
management or otherwise.

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  Transactions with Promoters:
               --------------------------- 

               Not applicable.


                                    PART IV

ITEM 14:  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
          ---------------------------------------------------------------

        (a)1.  Financial Statements:                                     Page
               --------------------                                      ----

               Independent Auditors' Report                               1   
                                                                              
               Statements of Financial Condition as of                        
                December 31, 1996 and 1995                                2   
                                                                              
               For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994:          
                         Statements of Income                             3   
                         Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital       4   
                                                                              
               Notes to Financial Statements                             5-12

        (a)2.  Financial Statement Schedules:
               ----------------------------- 

               Financial statement schedules not included in this Form 10-K have
been omitted for the reason that they are not required or are not applicable or
that equivalent information has been included in the financial statements or
notes thereto.

        (a)3.  Exhibits:
               -------- 

               The following exhibits are incorporated by reference or are filed
herewith to this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Designation         Description
-----------         -----------

3.01(i)             Amended and Restated Certificate of Limited Partnership of
                    the Registrant, dated July 27, 1995.

Exhibit 3.01(i):    Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.01(d)
---------------     contained in the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the 
                    Quarter Ended June 30, 1995.

3.01(ii)            Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership.

Exhibit 3.01(ii):   Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3.01(a)
----------------    contained in Amendment No. 1 (as Exhibit A) to the 
                    Registration Statement (File No. 33-34432) filed on May 25,
                    1990 on Form S-1 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the 
                    "Registrant's Registration Statement").

10.01(o)            Form of Advisory Agreement between the Partnership, Merrill
                    Lynch Investment Partners Inc., Merrill Lynch Futures Inc.
                    and each Trading Advisor.

Exhibit 10.01(o):   Is incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.01(o)
----------------    contained in the Registrant's report on Form 10-Q for the
                    Quarter Ended June 30, 1995.

10.02(a)            Form of Consulting Agreement between each Trading Advisor
                    of the Partnership and Merrill Lynch Futures Inc.

                                     -17-

<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 10.02(a):    Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.02(a)
----------------     contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement.

10.03(a)             Form of Customer Agreement between the Partnership and
                     Merrill Lynch Futures Inc.

Exhibit 10.03(a):    Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.03(a)
----------------     contained in the Registrant's Registration Statement.

10.05                Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. Guarantee

Exhibit 10.05        Is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 10.05 
-------------        contained in the Registrant Registration Statement.

10.06                Foreign Exchange Desk Service Agreement among Merrill Lynch
                     Investment Bank, Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc.,
                     Merrill Lynch Futures Inc. and the Fund.

Exhibit 10.06:       Is filed herewith.
-------------                       

10.07(a)             Form of Advisory and Consulting Agreement Amendment among
                     Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc., each Advisor, the
                     Fund and Merrill Lynch Futures Inc.

Exhibit 10.07(a):    Is filed herewith.
----------------

10.07(b)             Form of Amendment to the Customer Agreement among the 
                     Partnership and MLF.

Exhibit 10.07(b):    Is filed herewith.
----------------

13.01                1996 Annual Report and Independent Auditors' Report.

Exhibit 13.01:       Is filed herewith.
-------------                       

28.01                Prospectus of the Partnership dated June 1, 1990.

Exhibit 28.01:       Is incorporated by reference as filed with the Securities
-------------        and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the
                     Securities Act of 1933 (File No. 33-34432) filed on June 7,
                     1990.

     (b)  Report on Form 8-K:
          ------------------ 

          No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the fourth quarter of 1996.

                                     -18-

<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES


          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                         THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.

                         By:  MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT PARTNERS INC.
                              General Partner

                          By: /s/ John R. Frawley, Jr.
                              -----------------------------------------------
                              John R. Frawley, Jr.
                              President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
                               (Principal Executive Officer)


     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed on March 14, 1997 by the
following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
Signature                   Title                                                    Date
---------                   -----                                                    ----
<S>                         <C>                                                      <C>
 
/s/ John R. Frawley, Jr.    President and Chief Executive Officer and Director       March 14, 1997
--------------------------
John R. Frawley, Jr.
 
/s/ James M. Bernard        Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer (Principal Financial  March 14, 1997
--------------------------
James M. Bernard            and Accounting Officer) and Senior Vice President
 
/s/ Jeffrey F. Chandor      Senior Vice President and Director of Sales,             March 14, 1997
--------------------------
Jeffrey F. Chandor          Marketing and Research, and Director
 
/s/ Allen N. Jones          Director                                                 March 14, 1997
--------------------------
Allen N. Jones
</TABLE>

(Being the principal executive officer, the principal financial and accounting
officer and a majority of the directors of Merrill Lynch Investment Partners
Inc.)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
<S>                                   <C>                                            <C> 
MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT              General Partner of Registrant                  March 14, 1997
PARTNERS INC.
</TABLE> 

By: /s/ John R. Frawley, Jr.
    ----------------------------
    John R. Frawley, Jr.

                                     -19-

<PAGE>
 
                  THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.

                                1996 FORM 10-K

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                               -----------------


                  Exhibit                                                
                  -------                                                
                                                                         
Exhibit 10.06     Foreign Exchange Desk Service Agreement                
                  among Merrill Lynch Investment Bank,                   
                  Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc.,                
                  Merrill Lynch Futures Inc. and the Fund.               
                                                                         
Exhibit 10.07(a)  Form of Advisory and Consulting Agreement              
                  Amendment by and among Merrill Lynch                   
                  Investment Partners Inc., each Advisor,                
                  the Fund and Merrill Lynch Futures Inc.                
                                                                         
Exhibit 10.07(b)  Form of Amendment to the Customer Agreement            
                  among the Partnership and MLF.                         
                                                                         
Exhibit 13.01     1996 Annual Report and Independent Auditors' Report    

                                     -20-
<PAGE>
 
                To the best of the knowledge and belief of the 
                  undersigned, the information contained in 
                     this report is accurate and complete.



                               James M. Bernard
                            Chief Financial Officer
                    Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc.
                              General Partner of
                  THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND /(SM)/ L.P.

                                     -21-