N-CSRS 1 y23169nvcsrs.txt MORGAN STANLEY CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE INCOME FUND UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-CSR CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Investment Company Act file number: 811-04020 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald E. Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000 Date of fiscal year end: December 31, 2006 Date of reporting period: June 30, 2006 Item 1 - Report to Shareholders Welcome, Shareholder: In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund performed during the semiannual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Fund's financial statements and a list of Fund investments. THIS MATERIAL MUST BE PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS FOR THE FUND BEING OFFERED. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO MARKET RISK, WHICH IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT MARKET VALUES OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE FUND WILL DECLINE AND, THEREFORE, THE VALUE OF THE FUND'S SHARES MAY BE LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAID FOR THEM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU CAN LOSE MONEY INVESTING IN THIS FUND. PLEASE SEE THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT RISKS. FUND REPORT For the six months ended June 30, 2006 TOTAL RETURN FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
LEHMAN LIPPER BROTHERS CALIFORNIA CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL EXEMPT DEBT FUNDS CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS D INDEX(1) INDEX(2) 0.11% 0.13% -0.12% 0.16% 0.36% 0.39%
The performance of the Fund's four share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Fund's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales charges. Such costs would lower performance. See Performance Summary for standardized performance and benchmark information. Because Class B shares incurred lower expenses under the 12b-1 Plan than did Class A shares for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the total operating expense ratio for Class B shares was lower and, as a result, the performance of Class B shares was higher than that of the Class A shares. There can be no assurance that this will continue to occur in the future as the maximum fees payable by Class B shares under the 12b-1 Plan are higher than those payable by Class A shares. MARKET CONDITIONS The pace of U.S. economic growth remained resilient during the first half of 2006 despite record oil prices and a slowdown in housing. Recently, the market has focused on the change in leadership at the Federal Reserve Board (the "Fed") and uncertainties created by inflationary pressures and forecasts of slower growth. As investors had anticipated, the Fed continued to raise the federal funds target rate in 25 basis point increments at each of its four meetings in the first six months of 2006, bringing the rate to 5.25 percent as of June 29. Since June 2004, the Fed has raised the rate 17 consecutive times. Representative yields on two-year AAA-rated municipal bonds generally followed the federal funds target rate, rising 50 basis points, while yields on 30-year bonds rose only 25 basis points from 4.40 to 4.65 percent during the first half of 2006. Accordingly, the slope of the municipal yield curve continued to flatten as the spread (the difference between yields on short-term and long-term interest rates) narrowed. Investors' quest for yield favored lower-quality bonds over high-grade issues and continued to keep credit spreads relatively tight. Credit spreads measure the incremental yield investors are willing to accept to assume additional credit risk. When credit spreads tighten, lower-quality issues typically outperform high-grade issues. Reinvestment of an estimated $100 billion of bond maturities, calls and coupons for June, July and August strengthened demand for municipal bonds. Although municipal bond issuance picked up during the quarter, supply continued to lag last year's record pace. New issue volume in the first six months of 2006 declined by nearly 15 percent. Rising interest rates discouraged municipalities from refinancing debt and the pace of refunding activity slowed substantially. Bond issues backed by insurance had close to a 50 percent market share. 2 Sustained demand and declining supply helped municipal bonds outperform U.S. Treasuries with comparable maturities. As a result, the relative attractiveness of tax-exempt bonds ebbed and the 30-year municipal-to-Treasury yield ratio declined from 97 to 89 percent. The municipal-to-Treasury yield ratio measures the relative attractiveness of the two sectors. The higher the ratio, the greater the attractiveness of municipal yields relative to Treasury yields. The State of California continued to lead the nation in municipal issuance. Although new volume dipped during 2006, declines were not as steep as the national average. California's municipal market benefited from the continued strengthening of its credit fundamentals. The near-term credit outlook for the state is stable. California's large and diverse economy continued to grow and employment gains were in line with the national average. On the fiscal front, a rebound in capital gain and stock option taxes contributed to higher revenues. While his popularity has ebbed, Governor Schwarzenegger has nonetheless made progress advancing a number of his municipal funding proposals. The state still faces challenges, however, with budget deficits, pension funding litigation and immigration issues among the most significant. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS For the six-month period ended June 30, 2006, Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund underperformed the Lehman Brothers California Exempt Index and the Lipper California Municipal Debt Funds Index, assuming no deduction of applicable sales charges. The Fund made ongoing adjustments to its portfolio to reduce volatility during the year in anticipation of continued Fed tightening and generally higher interest rates. For example, a U.S. Treasury futures hedge was used to reduce the portfolio's duration.* At the end of June, the Fund's option-adjusted duration was 7.3 years. This duration positioning helped total returns when rates rose. The Fund maintained its high-quality bias, with nearly 85 percent of the portfolio rated A or better. However, exposure to investment grade bonds rated BBB was modestly increased by purchases of tobacco securitization bonds in the industrial development/ pollution control sector. This had a positive impact on performance, as lower-rated issues outperformed. Reflecting a commitment to diversification, the Fund's net assets of approximately $527 million were invested among 13 long-term sectors and 68 credits. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. * A measure of the sensitivity of a bond's price to changes in interest rates, expressed in years. Each year of duration represents an expected 1 percent change in the price of a bond for every 1 percent change in interest rates. The longer a bond's duration, the greater the effect of interest-rate movements on its price. Typically, funds with shorter durations perform better in rising-interest-rate environments, while funds with longer durations perform better when rates decline. 3
TOP FIVE SECTORS Water & Sewer 21.7% Transportation 15.8 Hospital 14.9 General Obligation 10.7 Tax Allocation 7.8
LONG-TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS Aaa/AAA 64.6% Aa/AA 4.4 A/A 15.6 Baa/BBB 13.1 Ba/BB or Less 1.9 Not Rated 0.4
Data as of June 30, 2006. Subject to change daily. All percentages for top five sectors are as a percentage of net assets and all percentages for long-term credit analysis are as a percentage of total long-term investments. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. INVESTMENT STRATEGY THE FUND WILL NORMALLY INVEST AT LEAST 80 PERCENT OF ITS NET ASSETS IN SECURITIES THAT PAY INTEREST EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL AND CALIFORNIA STATE INCOME TAXES. THE FUND'S "INVESTMENT ADVISER," MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC., GENERALLY INVESTS THE FUND'S ASSETS IN INVESTMENT GRADE, CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS. MUNICIPAL OBLIGATIONS ARE BONDS, NOTES OR SHORT-TERM COMMERCIAL PAPER ISSUED BY STATE GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENCIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND PROVIDES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS IN ITS SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE END OF THE FUND'S SECOND AND FOURTH FISCAL QUARTERS. THE SEMIANNUAL REPORTS AND THE ANNUAL REPORTS ARE FILED ELECTRONICALLY WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) ON FORM N-CSRS AND FORM N-CSR, RESPECTIVELY. MORGAN STANLEY ALSO DELIVERS THE SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS TO FUND SHAREHOLDERS AND MAKES THESE REPORTS AVAILABLE ON ITS PUBLIC WEB SITE, WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND ALSO FILES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS WITH THE SEC FOR THE FUND'S FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS ON FORM N-Q. MORGAN STANLEY DOES NOT DELIVER THE REPORTS FOR THE FIRST AND THIRD FISCAL QUARTERS TO SHAREHOLDERS, NOR ARE THE REPORTS POSTED TO THE MORGAN STANLEY PUBLIC WEB SITE. YOU MAY, HOWEVER, OBTAIN THE FORM N-Q FILINGS (AS WELL AS THE FORM N-CSR AND N-CSRS FILINGS) BY ACCESSING THE SEC'S WEB SITE, HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV. YOU MAY ALSO REVIEW AND COPY THEM AT THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM IN WASHINGTON, DC. INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF THE SEC'S PUBLIC REFERENCE ROOM MAY BE OBTAINED BY CALLING THE SEC AT (800) SEC-0330. YOU CAN ALSO REQUEST COPIES OF THESE 4 MATERIALS, UPON PAYMENT OF A DUPLICATING FEE, BY ELECTRONIC REQUEST AT THE SEC'S E-MAIL ADDRESS (PUBLICINFO@SEC.GOV) OR BY WRITING THE PUBLIC REFERENCE SECTION OF THE SEC, WASHINGTON, DC 20549-0102. HOUSEHOLDING NOTICE TO REDUCE PRINTING AND MAILING COSTS, THE FUND ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATE MAILINGS TO THE SAME ADDRESS. THE FUND DELIVERS A SINGLE COPY OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHAREHOLDER REPORTS, PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY MATERIALS, TO INVESTORS WITH THE SAME LAST NAME WHO RESIDE AT THE SAME ADDRESS. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD OF TIME UNLESS YOU INSTRUCT US OTHERWISE. YOU CAN REQUEST MULTIPLE COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS BY CALLING (800) 350-6414, 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., ET. ONCE OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS RECEIVED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, WE WILL BEGIN SENDING INDIVIDUAL COPIES FOR EACH ACCOUNT WITHIN 30 DAYS. 5 DISTRIBUTION BY MATURITY (% of Long-Term Portfolio) As of June 30, 2006 WEIGHTED AVERAGE MATURITY: 17 YEARS(A) 0-5 4 6-10 11 11-15 27 16-20 34 21-25 10 26-30 6 31+ Years 8
(a) Where applicable maturities reflect mandatory tenders, puts and call dates. Portfolio structure is subject to change. 6 CALL AND COST (BOOK) YIELD STRUCTURE (Based on Long-Term Portfolio) As of June 30, 2006 YEARS BONDS CALLABLE -- WEIGHTED AVERAGE CALL PROTECTION: 6 YEARS 2006(a) 2 2007 7 2008 12 2009 5 2010 2 2011 18 2012 10 2013 11 2014 6 2015 15 2016+ 12
COST (BOOK) YIELD(B) -- WEIGHTED AVERAGE BOOK YIELD: 5.3% 2006(a) 5.9 2007 5.8 2008 5.4 2009 5.2 2010 6.0 2011 5.1 2012 5.0 2013 4.9 2014 5.5 2015 5.1 2016+ 5.6
(a) May include issues initially callable in previous years. (b) Cost or "book" yield is the annual income earned on a portfolio investment based on its original purchase price before the Fund's operating expenses. For example, the Fund is earning a book yield of 5.9% on 2% of the long-term portfolio that is callable in 2006. Portfolio structure is subject to change. 7 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS -- PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
CLASS A SHARES* CLASS B SHARES** CLASS C SHARES(+) CLASS D SHARES(++) (since 07/28/97) (since 07/11/84) (since 07/28/97) (since 07/28/97) SYMBOL CLFAX CLFBX CLFCX CLFDX 1 YEAR 0.68%(3) 0.87%(3) 0.20%(3) 0.94%(3) (3.59)(4) (3.89)(4) (0.75)(4) 5 YEARS 4.72(3) 4.70(3) 4.12(3) 4.90(3) 3.81(4) 4.37(4) 4.12(4) -- 10 YEARS -- 4.95(3) -- -- -- 4.95(4) -- -- SINCE INCEPTION 4.51(3) 6.87(3) 4.02(3) 4.77(3) 4.01(4) 6.87(4) 4.02(4) --
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The table does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Performance for Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses. * The maximum front-end sales charge for Class A is 4.25%. ** The maximum contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B is 5.0%. The CDSC declines to 0% after six years. + The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C is 1.0% for shares redeemed within one year of purchase. ++ Class D has no sales charge. (1) The Lehman Brothers California Exempt Index tracks the performance of California issued municipal bonds rated at least Baa or BBB by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, respectively and with maturities of 2 years or greater. Indexes are unmanaged and their returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. (2) The Lipper California Municipal Debt Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper California Municipal Debt Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. (3) Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the deduction of any sales charges. (4) Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge. See the Fund's current prospectus for complete details on fees and sales charges. 8 EXPENSE EXAMPLE As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 01/01/06 - 06/30/06. ACTUAL EXPENSES The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) and redemption fees. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD * ------------- ------------- --------------- 01/01/06 - 01/01/06 06/30/06 06/30/06 ------------- ------------- --------------- CLASS A Actual (0.11% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,001.10 $4.22 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,020.58 $4.26 CLASS B Actual (0.13% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,001.30 $3.32 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,021.47 $3.36 CLASS C Actual (-0.12% return)...................................... $1,000.00 $ 998.80 $6.69 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,018.10 $6.76 CLASS D Actual (0.16% return)....................................... $1,000.00 $1,001.60 $2.98 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)............. $1,000.00 $1,021.82 $3.01
------------------ * Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratios of 0.85%, 0.67%, 1.35% and 0.60% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Fund had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 0.88%, 0.70%, 1.38% and 0.63% for Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D shares, respectively. Because Class B shares incurred lower expenses under the Rule 12b-1 Plan of Distribution than did Class A shares for the six months ended June 30, 2006, the total operating expense ratio for Class B shares was lower and, as a result, the performance of Class B shares was higher than that of the Class A shares. There can be no assurance that this will continue to occur in the future as the maximum fees payable by Class B shares under the Rule 12b-1 Plan of Distribution are higher than those payable by Class A shares. 9 INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT APPROVAL NATURE, EXTENT AND QUALITY OF SERVICES The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Fund's Administrator under the Administration Agreement, including accounting, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Investment Adviser's expense. (The Investment Adviser and the Administrator together are referred to as the "Adviser" and the Advisory and Administration Agreements together are referred to as the "Management Agreement.") The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper"). The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide the advisory and administrative services to the Fund. The Board determined that the Adviser's portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Fund. The Board also concluded that the overall quality of the advisory and administrative services was satisfactory. PERFORMANCE RELATIVE TO COMPARABLE FUNDS MANAGED BY OTHER ADVISERS On a regular basis, the Board reviews the performance of all funds in the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, including the Fund, compared to their peers, paying specific attention to the underperforming funds. In addition, the Board specifically reviewed the Fund's performance for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended November 30, 2005, as shown in a report provided by Lipper (the "Lipper Report"), compared to the performance of comparable funds selected by Lipper (the "performance peer group"). The Board considered the impact on performance of the Fund's principal investment strategy and defensive investment strategy. The Board discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Fund and concluded that the Fund's performance was acceptable. FEES RELATIVE TO OTHER PROPRIETARY FUNDS MANAGED BY THE ADVISER WITH COMPARABLE INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The Board noted that the Adviser did not manage any other proprietary funds with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund. 10 FEES AND EXPENSES RELATIVE TO COMPARABLE FUNDS MANAGED BY OTHER ADVISERS The Board reviewed the advisory and administrative fee (together, the "management fee") rate and total expense ratio of the Fund as compared to the average management fee rate and average total expense ratio for funds, selected by Lipper (the "expense peer group"), managed by other advisers with investment strategies comparable to those of the Fund, as shown in the Lipper Report. The Board concluded that the Fund's management fee rate and total expense ratio were competitive with those of its expense peer group. BREAKPOINTS AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE The Board reviewed the structure of the Fund's management fee schedule under the Management Agreement and noted that it includes breakpoints. The Board also reviewed the level of the Fund's management fee and noted that the fee, as a percentage of the Fund's net assets, would decrease as net assets increase because the management fee includes breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund's management fee would reflect economies of scale as assets increase. PROFITABILITY OF THE ADVISER AND AFFILIATES The Board considered information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and affiliates during the last year from their relationship with the Fund and during the last two years from their relationship with the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the profitability of the Adviser and affiliates. Based on its review of the information it received, the Board concluded that the profits earned by the Adviser and affiliates were not excessive in light of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Fund. FALL-OUT BENEFITS The Board considered so-called "fall-out benefits" derived by the Adviser and affiliates from their relationship with the Fund and the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, such as sales charges on sales of Class A shares and "float" benefits derived from handling of checks for purchases and sales of Fund shares, through a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser. The Board also considered that a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser receives from the Fund 12b-1 fees for distribution and shareholder services. The Board concluded that the float benefits were relatively small and the sales charges and 12b-1 fees were competitive with those of other broker-dealers. 11 SOFT DOLLAR BENEFITS The Board considered whether the Adviser realizes any benefits from commissions paid to brokers who execute securities transactions for the Fund ("soft dollars"). The Board noted that the Fund invests only in fixed income securities, which do not generate soft dollars. ADVISER FINANCIALLY SOUND AND FINANCIALLY CAPABLE OF MEETING THE FUND'S NEEDS The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board noted that the Adviser's operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced the Adviser's profitability. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement. HISTORICAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FUND AND THE ADVISER The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for managing the Fund's operations and the Board's confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that it is beneficial for the Fund to continue its relationship with the Adviser. OTHER FACTORS AND CURRENT TRENDS The Board considered the controls and procedures adopted and implemented by the Adviser and monitored by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer and concluded that the conduct of business by the Adviser indicates a good faith effort on its part to adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of the Fund's business. GENERAL CONCLUSION After considering and weighing all of the above factors, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year. 12 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- California Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (96.5%) General Obligation (10.7%) California, $ 5,000 Ser 1990................................................ 7.00 % 08/01/07 $ 5,167,650 5,000 Ser 1990................................................ 7.00 08/01/08 5,310,000 3,210 Ser 1996 (Ambac)........................................ 5.25 06/01/21 3,258,182 535 Various Purpose Dtd 04/01/93 (FSA)...................... 5.50 04/01/19 537,076 5,000 Various Purpose Dtd 04/01/02............................ 6.00 04/01/19 5,708,300 5,000 Various Purpose Dtd 12/01/05............................ 5.00 03/01/27 5,093,750 2,000 Veterans Ser AT......................................... 9.50 02/01/10 2,348,480 2,400 Veterans Ser BH (AMT) (FSA)............................. 5.40 12/01/16 2,476,104 3,000 Huntington Beach Union High School District, Ser 2004 (FSA)................................................... 5.00 08/01/27 3,075,060 5,000 Los Angeles, Ser 2004 A (MBIA)............................ 5.00 09/01/24 5,150,050 5,000 Los Angeles Unified School District, 2003 Ser A (FSA)..... 5.25 07/01/20 5,292,650 2,000 San Francisco City & County, Laguna Honda Hospital RITES PA 1387 (FSA)........................................... 7.504+++ 06/15/30 2,149,680 Puerto Rico, 8,000 Public Impr Ser 1999.................................... 4.75 07/01/23 7,759,360 3,000 Public Impr Ser 1999 (Secondary MBIA)................... 4.875 07/01/23 3,042,990 ------------ -------- 56,369,332 54,145 ------------ -------- Educational Facilities Revenue (4.2%) California Educational Facilities Authority, 2,000 California College of the Arts Ser 2005................. 5.00 06/01/35 1,956,520 3,000 Mills College Ser 2005 A................................ 5.00 09/01/29 3,012,510 2,000 Pitzer College Ser 2005 A............................... 5.00 04/01/35 1,983,260 2,000 University of Redlands Ser 2005 A....................... 5.00 10/01/35 1,992,220 5,000 University of San Diego Ser 1998 (Ambac)................ 5.00 10/01/22 5,131,400 1,000 California Municipal Finance Authority, American Heritage Educational Foundation Ser 2006 A....................... 5.25 06/01/26 1,007,260 2,000 San Diego County, Burnham Institute for Medical Research Ser 2006 COPs........................................... 5.00 09/01/34 1,965,140 5,000 University California, Ser 2003 Q (FSA)................... 5.00 09/01/24 5,140,650 ------------ -------- 22,188,960 22,000 ------------ -------- Electric Revenue (7.2%) 25,000 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, 2001 Ser A (FSA)................................................... 5.25 07/01/22 26,173,250 Southern California Public Power Authority, 3,500 Mead-Adelanto 1994 Ser A (Ambac)........................ 6.67+++ 07/01/15 3,991,540 2,500 Mead-Phoenix 1994 Ser A (Ambac)......................... 6.59+++ 07/01/15 2,851,100
See Notes to Financial Statements 13 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 2,750 Transmission Refg Ser 2002 A (FSA)...................... 5.25 % 07/01/18 $ 2,910,023 2,000 Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority, Power Ser II (MBIA).................................................. 5.375 07/01/19 2,137,820 ------------ -------- 38,063,733 35,750 ------------ -------- Hospital Revenue (14.9%) 8,000 Antelope Valley Healthcare District, Refg Ser 1997 A (FSA)................................................... 5.20 01/01/20 8,270,960 California Health Facilities Financing Authority, 4,000 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Ser 2005.................... 5.00 11/15/27 4,028,040 5,000 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Ser 2005.................... 5.00 11/15/34 5,005,650 2,000 Kaiser Permanente Ser 2006 A............................ 5.25 04/01/39 2,043,480 2,500 Sutter/CHS Ser 1996 A (MBIA)............................ 5.875 08/15/16 2,555,600 5,000 California Infrastructure & Economic Development Bank, Kaiser Hospital Ser 2001 A.............................. 5.55 08/01/31 5,201,750 California Statewide Communities Development Authority, 5,000 Adventist Healthwest 2005 Ser A......................... 5.00 03/01/30 5,001,400 1,595 Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Ser 1992 COPs............... 6.50 08/01/12 1,695,581 3,000 Daughters of Charity Health Ser 2005 A.................. 5.25 07/01/30 3,041,880 1,630 Huntington Memorial Hospital Ser 2005................... 5.00 07/01/27 1,648,843 14,000 Duarte, City of Hope National Medical Center Ser 1999 A COPs.................................................... 5.25 04/01/19 14,257,880 5,000 Loma Linda, Loma Linda University Medical Center Ser 2005 A....................................................... 5.00 12/01/20 5,017,300 7,500 Madera County, Valley Children's Hospital Ser 1995 COPs (MBIA).................................... 6.50 03/15/15 8,532,600 4,000 Rancho Mirage Joint Powers Financing Authority, Eisenhower Medical Center Ser 1997 A COPs (MBIA)................... 5.25 07/01/17 4,126,160 7,890 University California, UCLA Medical Center Ser 2004 A (Ambac)................................................. 5.00 05/15/39 7,990,282 ------------ -------- 78,417,406 76,115 ------------ -------- Industrial Development/Pollution Control Revenue (4.4%) California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, 5,000 Los Angeles County Securitization Corporation, Ser 2006.................................................... 0.00++ 06/01/28 3,924,200 1,000 Merced County Tobacco Funding Corporation, Ser 2005 A... 5.25 06/01/45 984,460 3,000 Sonoma County Securitization Corporation, Ser 2005...... 5.125 06/01/38 2,930,760 1,000 Sonoma County Securitization Corporation, Ser 2005...... 5.25 06/01/45 984,460 5,000 California Pollution Control Financing Authority, San Diego Gas & Electric Co 1996 Ser A............................ 5.90 06/01/14 5,516,100 Tobacco Securitization Authority of Northern California, Sacramento County Tobacco Securitization Corporation 4,000 Ser 2006 A-1............................................ 5.00 06/01/37 3,821,240 5,000 Ser 2005 A-1............................................ 5.50 06/01/45 5,043,600 ------------ -------- 23,204,820 24,000 ------------ --------
See Notes to Financial Statements 14 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mortgage Revenue -- Multi-Family (0.4%) $ 350 California Housing Finance Agency, Rental II 1992 Ser B... 6.70 % 08/01/15 $ 350,640 2,000 Independent Cities Lease Financing Authority, San Juan Mobile Estates Ser 2006 A............................... 5.125 05/15/41 1,990,220 ------------ -------- 2,340,860 2,350 ------------ -------- Mortgage Revenue -- Single Family (0.2%) 630 California Housing Finance Agency, 1995 Ser B-2 (AMT)..... 6.30.. 08/01/24 631,203 California Rural Home Financing Authority, 125 1997 Ser A-2 (AMT)...................................... 7.00 09/01/29 127,350 100 Home 1998 Ser A (AMT)................................... 6.35 12/01/29 101,301 ------------ -------- 859,854 855 ------------ -------- Public Facilities Revenue (4.2%) 4,000 Anaheim Public Financing Authority, 1997 Ser C (FSA)...... 6.00 09/01/16 4,501,720 California Public Works Board, 2,000 Butterfield State Office 2005 Ser A..................... 5.25 06/01/30 2,063,860 10,000 Department of Corrections Refg 1993 Ser A (Ambac)....... 5.00 12/01/19 10,443,800 1,010 Sacramento City Financing Authority, 2002 Ser A (FSA)..... 5.25 12/01/17 1,069,974 5,000 Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority, 2002 Ser D (Ambac)................................................. 0.00++ 07/01/31 3,888,450 ------------ -------- 21,967,804 22,010 ------------ -------- Tax Allocation Revenue (7.8%) 1,500 Fontana Public Finance Authority, Ser 2003 A (Ambac)...... 5.375 09/01/25 1,580,085 Long Beach Bond Finance Authority, 1,030 Downtown North Long Beach 2002 A (Ambac)................ 5.375 08/01/19 1,098,639 755 Downtown North Long Beach 2002 Ser A (Ambac)............ 5.375 08/01/20 805,313 20,000 Long Beach Financing Authority, Ser 1992 (Ambac).......... 6.00 11/01/17 22,444,800 4,000 Rancho Mirage Redevelopment Agency, Ser 2003 A (MBIA)..... 5.00 04/01/33 4,053,440 San Jose Redevelopment Agency, 8,000 Ser 1999 (Ambac)........................................ 4.75 08/01/23 8,016,720 3,000 Merged Area Ser 2002 (MBIA)............................. 5.00 08/01/32 3,040,860 ------------ -------- 41,039,857 38,285 ------------ -------- Transportation Facilities Revenue (15.8%) 10,000 Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Sr Lien Ser 1999 A (MBIA)........................................... 5.25 10/01/21 10,437,000 4,000 Bay Area Toll Authority, San Francisco Bay Area Toll Bridge 2001 Ser D.............................................. 5.00 04/01/18 4,138,080 Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency, 5,000 Toll Road Ser 1999 (MBIA)............................... 5.125 01/15/19 5,207,900 14,000 Toll Road Ser 1999...................................... 0.00++ 01/15/23 12,246,640 5,000 Orange County, Airport Refg Ser 1997 (AMT) (MBIA)......... 5.50 07/01/11 5,160,100
See Notes to Financial Statements 15 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port of Oakland, $ 5,200 Ser 2002 M (FGIC)....................................... 5.25 % 11/01/19 $ 5,516,992 2,000 Ser 2002 M (FGIC)....................................... 5.25 11/01/20 2,110,080 5,000 San Francisco Airports Commission, San Francisco Int'l Airport Second Ser Refg Issue 27B (FGIC)................ 5.125 05/01/26 5,138,550 9,500 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Sales Tax Ser 1998 (Ambac)........................................ 4.75 07/01/23 9,558,425 San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency, 6,000 Toll Road Refg Ser 1997 A (MBIA)........................ 0.00 01/15/15 4,085,580 10,000 Toll Road Senior Lien Ser 1993.......................... 5.00 01/01/33 9,394,200 10,000 San Jose, Airport Ser 2001 A (FGIC)....................... 5.00 03/01/25 10,146,800 ------------ -------- 83,140,347 85,700 ------------ -------- Water & Sewer Revenue (21.7%) 20,000 California Department of Water Resources, Center Valley Ser Y (FGIC)............................................ 5.00 12/01/25 20,516,400 4,000 Corona Public Financing Authority, Water Ser 1998 (FGIC).................................................. 4.75 09/01/23 4,025,320 10,000 East Bay Municipal Utility District, Water Ser 2001 (MBIA).................................................. 5.00 06/01/26 10,173,900 8,000 Eastern Municipal Water District, Water & Sewer Refg Ser 1998 A COPs (FGIC)...................................... 4.75 07/01/23 8,012,960 Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, 5,000 Water 2001 Ser A........................................ 5.125 07/01/41 5,063,550 5,000 Water 2003 Ser A (FGIC)................................. 5.00 07/01/43 5,057,350 20,000 Los Angeles Wastewater, Refg Ser 2003 B (FSA)............. 5.00 06/01/22 20,588,200 5,000 San Diego County Water Authority, Ser 2004 A COPs (FSA)... 5.00 05/01/29 5,098,050 10,000 San Diego Public Facilities Authority, Sewer Ser 1993 A... 5.25 05/15/20 10,003,500 10,000 Sacramento Financing Authority, Water & Capital Improvement 2001 Ser A (Ambac).......................... 5.00 12/01/26 10,173,900 San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, 5,650 Water 2002 Ser A (MBIA)................................. 5.00 11/01/20 5,830,630 4,525 Water 1996 Ser A........................................ 5.00 11/01/21 4,560,883 5,000 West Basin Municipal Water District, Refg Ser 2003 A COPs (MBIA).................................................. 5.00 08/01/30 5,084,800 ------------ -------- 114,189,443 112,175 ------------ -------- Other Revenue (2.9%) 10,000 California Economic Recovery, Ser 2004 A.................. 5.00 07/01/16 10,467,800 Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, 1,000 Enhanced Asset Backed Ser 2005 A (Ambac)................ 5.00 06/01/21 1,037,710 4,000 Enhanced Asset Backed Ser 2005 A........................ 5.00 06/01/45 3,989,600 ------------ -------- 15,495,110 15,000 ------------ --------
See Notes to Financial Statements 16 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Refunded (2.1%) $ 10,000 California Department of Water Resources, Power Supply Ser -------- 2002 A**................................................ 5.375% 05/01/12+ $ 10,854,500 ------------ 498,385 Total California Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (Cost $489,452,454).............. 508,132,026 ------------ -------- Short-Term California Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations (2.3%) 900 California Department of Water Resources, Power Supply Ser 2002 B (Demand 07/03/06)................................ 3.90* 05/01/22 900,000 1,500 California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Adventist Health/ West 1998 Ser B (MBIA) (Demand 07/03/06)............................................... 3.93* 09/01/28 1,500,000 35 California Rural Home Financing Authority, Home 1997 Ser D-CL 5 (AMT) (Called for redemption 08/01/06)........... 6.70 05/01/29 35,561 4,900 Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, Water 2000 Ser B-1 (Demand 07/03/06).......................... 3.91* 07/01/35 4,900,000 1,750 Newport Beach, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian 1992 Ser (Demand 07/03/06)................................... 3.88* 10/01/22 1,750,000 3,000 Pittsburg Redevelopment Agency, Los Medanos, 2004 Ser A (Ambac) (Demand 07/03/06)............................... 3.99* 09/01/35 3,000,000 ------------ -------- 12,085 Total Short-Term California Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations (Cost $12,087,835)................................................................. 12,085,561 ------------ -------- $510,470 Total Investments (Cost $501,540,289) (a) (b)...................... 98.8% 520,217,587 ======== Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities.............................. 1.2 6,375,175 ----- ------------ Net Assets......................................................... 100.0% $526,592,762 ===== ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 17 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued --------------------- AMT Alternative Minimum Tax. COPs Certificates of Participation. RITES Residual Interest Tax-Exempt Security. (Illiquid security). * Current coupon of variable rate demand obligation. ** A portion of this security has been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts in the amount of $145,000. + Prerefunded to call date shown. ++ Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases on a predetermined date. +++ Current coupon rate for inverse floating rate municipal obligations. This rate resets periodically as the auction rate on the related security changes. Positions in inverse floating rate municipal obligations have a total value of $8,992,320 which represents 1.7% of net assets. (a) Securities have been designated as collateral in an amount equal to $31,158,126 in connection with open futures contracts. (b) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates the aggregate cost for book purposes. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $20,521,305 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $1,460,210, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $19,061,095. Bond Insurance: --------------- Ambac Ambac Assurance Corporation. FGIC Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. FSA Financial Security Assurance Inc. MBIA Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation.
FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT JUNE 30, 2006:
NUMBER OF DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY UNDERLYING FACE UNREALIZED CONTRACTS LONG/SHORT MONTH AND YEAR AMOUNT AT VALUE APPRECIATION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 100 Short U.S. Treasury Notes 10 Year September 2006 $(10,485,938) $ 37,224 200 Short U.S. Treasury Notes 5 Year September 2006 (20,681,250) 97,889 -------- Total Unrealized Appreciation............................ $135,113 ========
See Notes to Financial Statements 18 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities June 30, 2006 (unaudited) Assets: Investments in securities, at value (cost $501,540,289)..................... $520,217,587 Cash..................................... 2,348,040 Receivable for: Interest............................. 6,978,425 Shares of beneficial interest sold... 50,512 Investments sold..................... 30,827 Receivable from affiliate................ 81,698 Prepaid expenses and other assets........ 25,655 ------------ Total Assets......................... 529,732,744 ------------ Liabilities: Payable for: Investments purchased................ 2,256,534 Investment advisory fee.............. 195,293 Shares of beneficial interest redeemed............................ 167,524 Distribution fee..................... 166,762 Dividends to shareholders............ 122,356 Variation margin..................... 92,187 Administration fee................... 35,017 Transfer agent fee................... 8,488 Accrued expenses and other payables...... 95,821 ------------ Total Liabilities.................... 3,139,982 ------------ Net Assets........................... $526,592,762 ============ Composition of Net Assets: Paid-in-capital.......................... $505,434,995 Net unrealized appreciation.............. 18,812,411 Accumulated undistributed net investment income.................................. 446,898 Accumulated undistributed net realized gain.................................... 1,898,458 ------------ Net Assets........................... $526,592,762 ============ Class A Shares: Net Assets............................... $314,265,480 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)......................... 26,345,793 Net Asset Value Per Share............ $11.93 ============ Maximum Offering Price Per Share, (net asset value plus 4.44% of net asset value)......................... $12.46 ============ Class B Shares: Net Assets............................... $137,462,637 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)......................... 11,451,132 Net Asset Value Per Share............ $12.00 ============ Class C Shares: Net Assets............................... $24,369,559 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)......................... 2,031,083 Net Asset Value Per Share............ $12.00 ============ Class D Shares: Net Assets............................... $50,495,086 Shares Outstanding (unlimited authorized, $.01 par value)......................... 4,220,451 Net Asset Value Per Share............ $11.96 ============
Statement of Operations For the six months ended June 30, 2006 (unaudited) Net Investment Income: Interest Income.......................... $ 13,514,631 ------------ Expenses Investment advisory fee.................. 1,275,325 Distribution fee (Class A shares)........ 397,220 Distribution fee (Class B shares)........ 47,141 Distribution fee (Class C shares)........ 94,948 Administration fee....................... 218,128 Transfer agent fees and expenses......... 96,343 Shareholder reports and notices.......... 41,298 Professional fees........................ 30,360 Custodian fees........................... 12,640 Trustees' fees and expenses.............. 7,303 Registration fees........................ 3,314 Other.................................... 31,410 ------------ Total Expenses....................... 2,255,430 Less: amounts waived/reimbursed.......... (67,830) Less: expense offset..................... (12,328) ------------ Net Expenses......................... 2,175,272 ------------ Net Investment Income................ 11,339,359 ------------ Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): Net Realized Gain on: Investments.............................. 1,280,746 Futures contracts........................ 678,732 ------------ Net Realized Gain.................... 1,959,478 ------------ Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on: Investments.............................. (12,738,812) Futures contracts........................ 223,047 ------------ Net Depreciation..................... (12,515,765) ------------ Net Loss............................. (10,556,287) ------------ Net Increase............................. $ 783,072 ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 19 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 DECEMBER 31, 2005 ------------- ----------------- (unaudited) Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: Operations: Net investment income....................................... $ 11,339,359 $ 25,348,818 Net realized gain........................................... 1,959,478 9,687,312 Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation.......... (12,515,765) (13,777,338) ------------ ------------ Net Increase............................................ 783,072 21,258,792 ------------ ------------ Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: Net investment income Class A shares.......................................... (6,586,886) (9,719,215) Class B shares.......................................... (3,187,092) (12,140,918) Class C shares.......................................... (457,864) (968,237) Class D shares.......................................... (1,140,389) (2,455,372) Net realized gain Class A shares.......................................... -- (5,480,668) Class B shares.......................................... -- (2,674,136) Class C shares.......................................... -- (436,485) Class D shares.......................................... -- (895,913) ------------ ------------ Total Dividends and Distributions....................... (11,372,231) (34,770,944) ------------ ------------ Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest.................................................. (32,219,197) (48,234,063) ------------ ------------ Net Decrease............................................ (42,808,356) (61,746,215) Net Assets: Beginning of period......................................... 569,401,118 631,147,333 ------------ ------------ End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $446,898 and $479,770, respectively)..................... $526,592,762 $569,401,118 ============ ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 20 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) 1. Organization and Accounting Policies Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income which is exempt from federal and California income tax, consistent with the preservation of capital. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on April 9, 1984 and commenced operations on July 11, 1984. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure. The Fund offers Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares and Class D shares. The four classes are substantially the same except that most Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase and some Class A shares, and most Class B shares and Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on shares redeemed within eighteen months, six years and one year, respectively. Class D shares are not subject to a sales charge. Additionally, Class A shares, Class B shares and Class C shares incur distribution expenses. The Fund will assess a 2% redemption fee on Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, and Class D shares, which is paid directly to the Fund, for shares redeemed within seven days of purchase, subject to certain exceptions. The redemption fee is designed to protect the Fund and its remaining shareholders from the effects of short-term trading. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies: A. Valuation of Investments -- (1) portfolio securities are valued by an outside independent pricing service approved by the Trustees. The pricing service uses both a computerized grid matrix of tax-exempt securities and evaluations by its staff, in each case based on information concerning market transactions and quotations from dealers which reflect the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. The portfolio securities are thus valued by reference to a combination of transactions and quotations for the same or other securities believed to be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue, call provisions, trading characteristics and other features deemed to be relevant. The Trustees believe that timely and reliable market quotations are generally not readily available for purposes of valuing tax-exempt securities and that the valuations supplied by the pricing service are more likely to approximate the fair value of such securities; (2) futures are valued at the latest sale price on the commodities exchange on which they trade unless it is determined that such price does not reflect their market value, in which case they will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees; and (3) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized 21 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost. B. Accounting for Investments -- Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily. C. Multiple Class Allocations -- Investment income, expenses (other than distribution fees), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative net asset value on the date such items are recognized. Distribution fees are charged directly to the respective class. D. Futures Contracts -- A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments or contracts based on financial indices at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Fund is required to pledge to the broker cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. E. Federal Income Tax Policy -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable and nontaxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required. F. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders -- Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. G. Use of Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the "Investment Adviser") the Fund pays the Investment Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the Fund's net assets determined as of 22 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued the close of each business day: 0.47% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.445% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.395% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.37% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1.25 billion. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Fund's daily net assets. The Investment Adviser has agreed to cap the Fund's operating expenses (except for brokerage and 12b-1 fees) by assuming the Fund's "other expenses" and/or waiving the Fund's advisory fees, and the Administrator has agreed to waive the Fund's administrative fees, to the extent such operating expenses exceed 0.60% of the average daily net assets of the Fund on an annualized basis. These voluntary assumptions/waivers may be discontinued at any time. 3. Plan of Distribution Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A -- up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A; (ii) Class B -- up to 0.75% of the lesser of: (a) the average daily aggregate gross sales of the Class B shares since the inception of the Fund (not including reinvestment of dividend or capital gain distributions) less the average daily aggregate net asset value of the Class B shares redeemed since the Fund's inception upon which a contingent deferred sales charge has been imposed or waived; or (b) the average daily net assets of Class B; and (iii) Class C -- up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C. In the case of Class B shares, provided that the Plan continues in effect, any cumulative expenses incurred by the Distributor but not yet recovered may be recovered through the payment of future distribution fees from the Fund pursuant to the Plan and contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of Class B shares. Although there is no legal obligation for the Fund to pay expenses incurred in excess of payments made to the Distributor under the Plan and the proceeds of contingent deferred sales charges paid by investors upon redemption of shares, if for any reason the Plan is terminated, the Trustees will consider at that time the manner in which to treat such expenses. The Distributor has advised the Fund that there were no expenses as of June 30, 2006. 23 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the distribution fee was accrued for Class B shares at the annual rate of 0.07%. At June 30, 2006, included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, is a receivable from affiliate, which represents payments due from the Distributor to the Fund. In the case of Class A shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25% or 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class A or Class C, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales credit to Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or other selected broker-dealer representatives may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.25% and 0.75%, respectively. The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the six months ended June 30, 2006, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's Class B shares and Class C shares of $98,210 and $284, respectively and received $57,739 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges which are not an expense of the Fund. 4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended June 30, 2006 aggregated $19,128,340 and $55,183,882, respectively. Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the six months ended June 30, 2006 included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $3,662. At June 30, 2006, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $62,639 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan") which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he receives for serving on the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited 24 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Fund. 5. Shares of Beneficial Interest Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 DECEMBER 31, 2005 ------------------------- -------------------------- (unaudited) SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ CLASS A SHARES Sold............................................ 231,012 $ 2,791,129 510,370 $ 6,347,742 Conversion from Class B......................... 894,934 10,791,004 26,881,166 333,835,771 Reinvestment of dividends and distributions..... 290,796 3,507,038 709,137 8,718,752 Redeemed........................................ (2,195,669) (26,529,176) (2,517,480) (31,217,088) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net increase (decrease) - Class A............... (778,927) (9,440,005) 25,583,193 317,685,177 ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ CLASS B SHARES Sold............................................ 158,780 1,928,971 636,974 7,964,926 Conversion to Class A........................... (889,299) (10,791,004) (26,729,720) (333,835,771) Reinvestment of dividends and distributions..... 108,869 1,321,456 545,578 6,775,281 Redeemed........................................ (934,768) (11,372,106) (3,444,670) (43,042,005) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net decrease - Class B.......................... (1,556,418) (18,912,683) (28,991,838) (362,137,569) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ CLASS C SHARES Sold............................................ 38,862 474,089 223,514 2,798,084 Reinvestment of dividends and distributions..... 21,978 266,623 73,982 915,630 Redeemed........................................ (186,283) (2,263,484) (338,227) (4,230,339) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net decrease - Class C.......................... (125,443) (1,522,772) (40,731) (516,625) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ CLASS D SHARES Sold............................................ 99,773 1,208,407 211,330 2,634,719 Reinvestment of dividends and distributions..... 51,543 623,553 154,996 1,915,329 Redeemed........................................ (345,184) (4,175,697) (628,321) (7,815,094) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net decrease - Class D.......................... (193,868) (2,343,737) (261,995) (3,265,046) ---------- ------------ ----------- ------------ Net decrease in Fund............................ (2,654,656) $(32,219,197) (3,711,371) $(48,234,063) ========== ============ =========== ============
6. Expense Offset The expense offset represents a reduction of custodian and transfer agent fees and expenses for earnings on cash balances maintained by the Fund. 25 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued 7. Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in residual interest bonds, which are inverse floating rate municipal obligations. The prices of these securities are subject to greater market fluctuations during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable fixed rate obligations. To hedge against adverse interest rate changes, the Fund may invest in financial futures contracts or municipal bond index futures contracts ("futures contracts"). These futures contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying securities. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. 8. Legal Matters The Investment Adviser, certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser, certain officers of such affiliates and certain investment companies advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, including the Fund, are named as defendants in a consolidated class action. This consolidated action also names as defendants certain individual Trustees and Directors of the Morgan Stanley funds. The consolidated amended complaint, filed in the United States District Court Southern District of New York on April 16, 2004, generally alleges that defendants, including the Fund, violated their statutory disclosure obligations and fiduciary duties by failing properly to disclose (i) that the Investment Adviser and certain affiliates of the Investment Adviser allegedly offered economic incentives to brokers and others to recommend the funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates to investors rather than funds managed by other companies, and (ii) that the funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates, including the Fund, allegedly paid excessive commissions to brokers in return for their efforts to recommend these funds to investors. The complaint seeks, among other things, unspecified compensatory damages, rescissionary damages, fees and costs. The defendants have moved to dismiss the action. On March 9, 2005, Plaintiffs sought leave to supplement their complaint to assert claims on behalf of other investors, which motion defendants opposed. On April 14, 2006, the Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss in its entirety. Additionally, the Court denied Plaintiff's motion to supplement their complaint. This matter is now concluded. 9. Federal Income Tax Status The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These "book/tax" differences are either considered temporary or 26 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - JUNE 30, 2006 (UNAUDITED) continued permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in-capital. As of December 31, 2005, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to post-October losses (capital losses incurred after October 31 within the taxable year which are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund's next taxable year), mark-to-market of open futures contracts and book amortization of discounts on debt securities. 10. New Accounting Pronouncement In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes--an interpretation of FASB Statement 109 (FIN 48). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for income taxes by prescribing the minimum recognition threshold a tax position must meet before being recognized in the financial statements. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Fund will adopt FIN 48 during 2007 and the impact to the Fund's financial statements, if any, is currently being assessed. 27 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -------- (unaudited) Class A Shares Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period... $12.16 $12.46 $12.58 $12.68 $12.34 $12.49 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income.............. 0.25 0.52 0.54 0.55 0.57 0.57 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)............................. (0.23) (0.10) (0.02) (0.01) 0.44 (0.10) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income from investment operations............................ 0.02 0.42 0.52 0.54 1.01 0.47 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income.............. (0.25) (0.51) (0.53) (0.55) (0.57) (0.58) Net realized gain.................. -- (0.21) (0.11) (0.09) (0.10) (0.04) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions...... (0.25) (0.72) (0.64) (0.64) (0.67) (0.62) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period......... $11.93 $12.16 $12.46 $12.58 $12.68 $12.34 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+.......................... 0.11%(2) 3.44% 4.26% 4.31% 8.37% 3.90% Ratios To Average Net Assets(1): Total expenses (before expense offset)............................... 0.85%(3)(4) 0.86%(4) 0.81% 0.78% 0.80% 0.80% Net investment income.................. 4.11%(3)(4) 4.11%(4) 4.29% 4.34% 4.53% 4.62% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands............................. $314,265 $329,938 $19,203 $17,422 $20,775 $17,147 Portfolio turnover rate................ 4%(2) 23% 10% 11% 12% 13%
--------------------- + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Reflects overall fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. (2) Not annualized. (3) Annualized. (4) If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Investment Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:
EXPENSE NET INVESTMENT PERIOD ENDED RATIO INCOME RATIO ----------------- ---- ---- June 30, 2006 0.88% 4.08% December 31, 2005 0.87 4.10
See Notes to Financial Statements 28 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MONTHS ENDED --------------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- (unaudited) Class B Shares Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period............................ $12.24 $12.52 $12.65 $12.75 $12.42 $12.57 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations Net investment income.......... 0.26 0.54 0.54 0.55 0.56 0.55 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).................... (0.24) (0.08) (0.02) (0.02) 0.42 (0.11) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income from investment operations........................ 0.02 0.46 0.52 0.53 0.98 0.44 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income.......... (0.26) (0.53) (0.54) (0.54) (0.55) (0.55) Net realized gain.............. -- (0.21) (0.11) (0.09) (0.10) (0.04) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions..................... (0.26) (0.74) (0.65) (0.63) (0.65) (0.59) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period..... $12.00 $12.24 $12.52 $12.65 $12.75 $12.42 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+...................... 0.13%(2) 3.74% 4.22% 4.27% 8.13% 3.56% Ratios To Average Net Assets(1): Total expenses (before expense offset)........................... 0.67%(3)(5) 0.68%(5) 0.78%(4) 0.83%(4) 0.93%(4) 1.04%(4) Net investment income.............. 4.29%(3)(5) 4.29%(5) 4.32%(4) 4.29%(4) 4.40%(4) 4.38%(4) Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands......................... $137,463 $159,221 $526,026 $599,737 $682,046 $696,481 Portfolio turnover rate............ 4%(2) 23% 10% 11% 12% 13%
--------------------- + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Reflects overall fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. (2) Not annualized. (3) Annualized. (4) If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed by the Distributor, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:
EXPENSE NET INVESTMENT PERIOD ENDED RATIO INCOME RATIO ----------------- ---- ---- December 31, 2004 1.03% 4.07% December 31, 2003 1.35 3.77 December 31, 2002 1.35 3.98 December 31, 2001 1.34 4.06
(5) If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Investment Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:
EXPENSE NET INVESTMENT PERIOD ENDED RATIO INCOME RATIO ----------------- ---- ---- June 30, 2006 0.70% 4.26% December 31, 2005 0.69 4.28
See Notes to Financial Statements 29 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MONTHS ENDED ---------------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- (unaudited) Class C Shares Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period.... $12.23 $12.52 $12.65 $12.74 $12.42 $12.57 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income............... 0.22 0.45 0.47 0.48 0.50 0.51 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss).............................. (0.23) (0.08) (0.02) 0.00 0.42 (0.11) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income (loss) from investment operations............................. (0.01) 0.37 0.45 0.48 0.92 0.40 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income............... (0.22) (0.45) (0.47) (0.48) (0.50) (0.51) Net realized gain................... -- (0.21) (0.11) (0.09) (0.10) (0.04) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions....... (0.22) (0.66) (0.58) (0.57) (0.60) (0.55) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period.......... $12.00 $12.23 $12.52 $12.65 $12.74 $12.42 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+........................... (0.12)%(2) 2.97% 3.61% 3.80% 7.59% 3.33% Ratios To Average Net Assets(1): Total expenses (before expense offset)................................ 1.35%(3)(4) 1.36%(4) 1.36% 1.35% 1.35% 1.34% Net investment income................... 3.61%(3)(4) 3.61%(4) 3.74% 3.77% 3.98% 4.09% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands............................. $24,370 $26,385 $27,519 $26,435 $25,825 $16,745 Portfolio turnover rate................. 4%(2) 23% 10% 11% 12% 13%
--------------------- + Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Reflects overall fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. (2) Not annualized. (3) Annualized. (4) If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Investment Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:
EXPENSE NET INVESTMENT PERIOD ENDED RATIO INCOME RATIO ----------------- ---- ---- June 30, 2006 1.38% 3.58% December 31, 2005 1.37 3.60
See Notes to Financial Statements 30 Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued
FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MONTHS ENDED ------------------------------------------------------- JUNE 30, 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 ------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- (unaudited) Class D Shares Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period............ $12.20 $12.49 $12.61 $12.71 $12.39 $12.53 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Income (loss) from investment operations: Net investment income....................... 0.26 0.54 0.56 0.57 0.60 0.60 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)..... (0.24) (0.08) (0.01) (0.01) 0.41 (0.10) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total income from investment operations......... 0.02 0.46 0.55 0.56 1.01 0.50 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less dividends and distributions from: Net investment income....................... (0.26) (0.54) (0.56) (0.57) (0.59) (0.60) Net realized gain........................... -- (0.21) (0.11) (0.09) (0.10) (0.04) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions............... (0.26) (0.75) (0.67) (0.66) (0.69) (0.64) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of period.................. $11.96 $12.20 $12.49 $12.61 $12.71 $12.39 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return+................................... 0.16%(2) 3.74% 4.48% 4.50% 8.41% 4.12% Ratios To Average Net Assets(1): Total expenses (before expense offset).......... 0.60%(3)(4) 0.61%(4) 0.61% 0.60% 0.60% 0.59% Net investment income........................... 4.36%(3)(4) 4.36%(4) 4.49% 4.52% 4.73% 4.84% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in thousands......... $50,495 $53,857 $58,399 $66,143 $75,332 $83,638 Portfolio turnover rate......................... 4%(2) 23% 10% 11% 12% 13%
--------------------- + Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. (1) Reflects overall fund ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses. (2) Not annualized. (3) Annualized. (4) If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Investment Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios would have been as follows:
EXPENSE NET INVESTMENT PERIOD ENDED RATIO INCOME RATIO ----------------- ---- ---- June 30, 2006 0.63% 4.33% December 31, 2005 0.62 4.35
31 See Notes to Financial Statements TRUSTEES Michael Bozic Charles A. Fiumefreddo Edwin J. Garn Wayne E. Hedien James F. Higgins Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Joseph J. Kearns Michael E. Nugent Fergus Reid OFFICERS Michael E. Nugent Chairman of the Board Ronald E. Robison President and Principal Executive Officer J. David Germany Vice President Dennis F. Shea Vice President Barry Fink Vice President Amy R. Doberman Vice President Carsten Otto Chief Compliance Officer Stefanie V. Chang Yu Vice President Francis J. Smith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Mary E. Mullin Secretary TRANSFER AGENT Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, New York 10281 INVESTMENT ADVISER Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 The financial statements included herein have been taken from the records of the Fund without examination by the independent auditors and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon. This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley DW Inc., member SIPC. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member NASD. (c) 2006 Morgan Stanley [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund Semiannual Report June 30, 2006 [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] CLFSAR-37900RPT-RA06-00724P-Y06/06 Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 6. Refer to Item 1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases Applicable to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not applicable. Item 11. Controls and Procedures (a) The Fund's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, based upon such officers' evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report. (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 12. Exhibits (a) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semiannual reports. (b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Income Fund /s/ Ronald E. Robison ------------------------------------- Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer August 10, 2006 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Ronald E. Robison ------------------------------------- Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer August 10, 2006 /s/ Francis Smith ------------------------------------- Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer August 10, 2006 3