N-CSR 1 c80886nvcsr.txt ANNUAL REPORT 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 811-5786 Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1221 Avenue of the Americas NY NY 10020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000 Date of fiscal year end: 10/31 Date of reporting period: 10/31/03 Item 1. Report to Shareholders Welcome, Shareholder In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust performed during the annual period. The portfolio management team will provide an overview of the market conditions and discuss some of the factors that affected investment performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the trust's financial statements and a list of trust investments as of October 31, 2003. Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the trust will achieve its investment objective. The trust is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the trust will decline and, therefore, the value of the trust shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this trust. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE Performance Summary
INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPAL TRUST SYMBOL: VIG ------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL BASED ON BASED ON TOTAL RETURNS NAV MARKET PRICE Since Inception (11/30/89) 6.24% 4.67% 10-year 4.85 2.15 5-year 5.22 1.87 1-year 7.53 8.91 -------------------------------------------------------
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return, net asset value (NAV) and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. As a result of recent market activity, current performance may vary from the figures shown. For more up-to-date information, please visit vankampen.com or speak with your financial advisor. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the trust at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an investment at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the end of the period. The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based statistical composite of municipal bonds. The index is unmanaged and does not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. 1 Trust Report FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust is managed by the adviser's Municipal Fixed Income team.(1) Current members include Thomas Byron, Vice President; Robert Wimmel, Vice President; and John Reynoldson, Executive Director. MARKET CONDITIONS The economic backdrop for the 12 months ended October 31 was largely characterized by the persistent weakness of the U.S. economy. One of the most closely watched economic indicators, employment strength, was in negative territory for much of the period. Repeated comments from government and private-sector economists suggesting that the U.S. economy might be entering a deflationary period also seemed to weigh heavily on the minds of investors over the course of the year. At the same time, ongoing budgetary and fiscal difficulties at the state and local level contributed to ratings downgrades for many municipal bonds. The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) attempted to allay these fears and keep the economy moving in the right direction by cutting the Fed Funds target rate twice during the period to a level of 1.00 percent. Although the stock markets appeared to look past the sluggish economic data, bonds, in general, were hampered. While yields on intermediate- and long-term bonds ended the period roughly where they began, the road between those two points was decidedly bumpy. The 12-month period can be divided into two distinct market environments. The first of these, which lasted from October 2002 to mid-June 2003, saw municipal yields fall by roughly 80 basis points to levels not seen since the late 1960s. These plummeting yields led to a surge in issuance as municipalities moved to lock in low financing and, in the case of older bonds, low refinancing costs. These record levels of supply met with substantial demand as investors in search of relative stability poured cash into municipal bond funds. Demand for municipal bonds was also strong from so-called "cross-over" buyers--investors who traditionally favor taxable investments, but were drawn to the relatively attractive yields of municipal bonds. The municipal market reversed abruptly in mid-June, when yields began to climb from their lows. Investors during this phase shifted their attention to the advancing equity market, which reduced demand for municipal bonds. Interest from cross-over investors also evaporated as the relative attractiveness of the taxable market returned. Issuance remained strong throughout this leg of the period, though it abated somewhat in the last three months of the reporting year. These forces combined to drive municipal bond yields off of their historic lows, ending the period where they began. (1)Team members may change without notice at any time. 2 PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS The trust's return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding, while market price reflects the supply and demand for the shares. As a result, the two returns can differ significantly. On both a market price and an NAV basis, the trust outperformed its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. (See table below.) The trust's significant position in health-care bonds generated attractive income, as well as price appreciation driven by yield-seeking investors drawn to the bonds' relatively robust yields. Certain issues in this sector met their investment objectives during the period, and we subsequently sold them in favor of bonds with superior total return potential. These sales had an effect of reducing the portfolio's exposure to the sector from 13 to 11 percent of holdings. Our strategy of avoiding housing bonds also helped the trust; the sector performed poorly amidst record levels of mortgage refinancing activity. The trust uses leverage to enhance its dividend to common shareholders. The trust borrows money at short-term rates through the issuance of preferred shares. The proceeds are reinvested in longer-term securities, taking advantage of the difference between short- and longer-term rates. With short-term rates at historic lows during the period, the difference between short- and longer-term rates was relatively high. This made using leverage a particularly profitable approach during the period, and added to the trust's strong performance. While the trust outperformed its benchmark, not all of its positions performed strongly over the entire period in question. With interest rates falling to historic lows, our analysis showed an increasing possibility of a damaging upward shift in interest rates. We positioned the trust defensively by maintaining a duration (a measure of interest-rate sensitivity) that was slightly shorter than that of the benchmark during the period. This position helped the trust when rates climbed, but kept it from fully participating in the bond market rally earlier in the period. We were equally defensive in managing the portfolio's maturity structure. Given the steepness of the yield curve for much of the period (steepness is a measure of the difference in yields between long- and short-maturity securities), we focused on a strategy designed to outperform in a curve-flattening environment. We purchased TOTAL RETURN FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003
---------------------------------------------------------- BASED ON BASED ON LEHMAN BROTHERS NAV MARKET PRICE MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX 7.53% 8.91% 5.11% ----------------------------------------------------------
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return, net asset value and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See Performance Summary for additional performance information. 3 premium bonds in the 15- to 20-year range which were priced to ten-year call dates. These bonds offer attractive yields compared to bonds with similar interest rate risk. We sold bonds in the 5- to 12-year range, an area of the curve that we feel will underperform when short rates rise. This curve flattening did not occur as early as we anticipated, however, and the strategy hampered performance when short rates fell in the first part of the period. However, when long-bond yields rose in the latter part of the period, our emphasis on defensive bonds in the 15- to 20-year range helped to preserve principal. In addition to this core strategy, we also traded high-grade bonds in the 30-year range based on relative value fluctuations. We sought out issues that were cheap relative to comparable bonds, and then sold them after they achieved their performance targets in order to reinvest the proceeds into securities with greater total-return prospects. As part of this strategy, we added to the portfolio's exposure in the public-education sector, which offered attractive total-return potential compared to similar bonds in other sectors. During the period, many municipalities faced budget shortfalls and potential credit downgrades. In this challenging environment, we sought to preserve principal by emphasizing the highest credit-quality tiers of the municipal bond market. As of October 31, 2003, approximately 78 percent of the trust's long- term investments were invested in bonds rated AA and above. We will continue with our disciplined investment approach, monitoring the market closely for compelling opportunities. PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES A description of the trust's policies and procedures with respect to the voting of proxies relating to the trust's portfolio securities is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-847-2424. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov. TOP 5 SECTORS AS OF 10/31/03 RATINGS ALLOCATION AS OF 10/31/03 Public Building 13.7% AAA/Aaa 66.3% Public Education 12.2 AA/Aa 11.6 Health Care 11.5 A/A 9.2 General Purpose 10.6 BBB/Baa 6.3 Single-Family Housing 9.4 BB/Ba 0.7 B/B 0.5 CC/Ca 0.1 Non-Rated 5.3
Subject to change daily. All percentages are as a percentage of long-term investments. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy securities in the sectors shown above. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor's and Moody's, respectively. 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. 4 BY THE NUMBERS YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003 THE FOLLOWING PAGES DETAIL YOUR TRUST'S PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AT THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD.
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE MUNICIPAL BONDS 146.4% ALASKA 4.6% $1,000 Alaska St Intl Arpt Rev Ser B (AMBAC Insd)....... 5.750% 10/01/17 $ 1,122,550 1,000 Matanuska-Susitna Boro, AK Ctf Part Pub Safety Bldg Lease (FSA Insd)............................ 5.750 03/01/16 1,119,540 ------------ 2,242,090 ------------ ARIZONA 2.5% 1,000 Phoenix, AZ Civic Impt Corp Wastewtr Sys Rev Jr Lien (Prerefunded @ 07/01/10) (FGIC Insd)........ 6.250 07/01/17 1,205,900 ------------ ARKANSAS 1.2% 616 Dogwood Addition PRD Muni Ppty Owners Multi-Purp Impt Dist No 8 Maumelle AK Impt Ser 2001 Rfdg (e) (h).............................................. 7.500 03/01/06 611,437 ------------ CALIFORNIA 15.6% 750 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Ser A............. 6.000 05/01/15 852,720 1,000 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Ser A (AMBAC Insd)............................................ 5.375 05/01/18 1,085,430 995 California St Pub Wks Brd UCLA Replacement Hosp Ser A (FSA Insd)................................. 5.375 10/01/20 1,065,496 4,290 Contra Costa, CA Home Mtg Fin Auth Home Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity) (MBIA Insd) (a)........... * 09/01/17 2,162,589 225 Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Conv Cap Apprec Sr Lien Ser A (Prerefunded @ 01/01/10) (b).............................................. 0/7.150 01/01/13 259,801 500 Fresno, CA Uni Sch Dist Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)... 6.100 08/01/12 594,440 1,000 Los Angeles, CA Uni Sch Dist Ser A (MBIA Insd)... 5.375 07/01/18 1,096,250 1,000 San Joaquin Hills, CA Transn Corridor Agy Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)............ * 01/15/27 282,960 1,000 San Joaquin Hills, CA Transn Corridor Agy Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)............ * 01/15/28 267,340 ------------ 7,667,026 ------------ COLORADO 5.6% 160 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/04 173,624 180 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/05 212,690
See Notes to Financial Statements 5 YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE COLORADO (CONTINUED) $ 205 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500% 09/01/06 $ 259,639 235 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/07 315,142 265 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/08 371,896 300 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/09 437,598 340 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/10 511,975 220 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 11.500 09/01/11 340,714 100 Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (Escrowed to Maturity)..................................... 9.000 09/01/12 139,968 ------------ 2,763,246 ------------ FLORIDA 10.9% 1,000 Escambia Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev (AMBAC Insd)............................................ 5.950 07/01/20 1,059,060 500 Florida St Dept Environmental FL Forever Ser A (MBIA Insd)...................................... 5.375 07/01/17 549,785 1,000 Highlands Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Hosp Adventist Hlth Sys Ser D........................................ 5.375 11/15/35 994,670 1,000 Jacksonville, FL Rev Better Jacksonville (MBIA Insd)............................................ 5.250 10/01/21 1,061,480 243 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt (c) (d) (h).......................................... * 03/01/04 0 225 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt (c) (d) (h).......................................... 3.000 12/15/11 0 2,300 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt Ser A (c) (d) (e) (h)................................ 10.000 12/15/11 616,400 1,000 West Palm Beach, FL.............................. 5.250 03/01/14 1,089,820 ------------ 5,371,215 ------------ GEORGIA 2.2% 1,000 Municipal Elec Auth GA Combustion Turbine Proj Ser A (MBIA Insd)................................ 5.250 11/01/16 1,089,360 ------------ ILLINOIS 16.6% 200 Bedford Park, IL Tax Increment 71st & Cicero Proj Rfdg............................................. 7.000 01/01/06 203,518 1,000 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien C 2 Rfdg (FSA Insd)......................... 5.250 01/01/30 1,016,080 400 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Spl Fac Rev United Airl Inc Proj Ser B Rfdg (c) (f)................. 6.100 11/01/35 80,000 1,250 Chicago, IL Proj Ser C Rfdg (FGIC Insd).......... 5.500 01/01/40 1,314,487
6 See Notes to Financial Statements YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE ILLINOIS (CONTINUED) $ 165 Chicago, IL Single Family Mtg Rev Ser B (GNMA Collateralized).................................. 7.625% 09/01/27 $ 168,458 510 Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107.................... 7.150 12/01/08 616,437 575 Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107.................... 7.200 12/01/09 707,238 625 Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107.................... 7.000 12/01/10 764,631 500 Hodgkins, IL Tax Increment Ser A Rfdg............ 7.625 12/01/13 529,595 1,500 Illinois Hlth Fac Auth Rev Lake Forest Hosp Ser A................................................ 5.750 07/01/29 1,558,440 310 Illinois Hsg Dev Auth Rev Homeowner Mtg G2....... 6.050 08/01/29 323,807 250 Lake Cnty, IL Cmnty Unit (Escrowed to Maturity) (Asset Gty Insd) (a)............................. 7.600 02/01/14 327,393 1,000 McHenry & Kane Cntys, IL Cmnty (FGIC Insd)....... * 01/01/16 568,910 180 Robbins, IL Res Recovery Rev Restructuring Proj Ser A (c)........................................ 8.375 10/15/16 252 70 Robbins, IL Res Recovery Rev Restructuring Proj Ser B (c)........................................ 8.375 10/15/16 98 ------------ 8,179,344 ------------ INDIANA 3.2% 1,000 MSD Warren Twp IN Vision 2005 First Mtg (FGIC Insd)............................................ 5.500 07/15/20 1,091,920 500 Petersburg, IN Pollutn Ctl Rev IN Pwr & Lt....... 6.375 11/01/29 485,500 ------------ 1,577,420 ------------ KANSAS 8.6% 1,825 Cowley Cnty, KS Uni Sch Dist Impt Rfdg (MBIA Insd) (g)........................................ 5.250 10/01/22 1,926,726 400 Overland Pk, KS Dev Corp Rev First Tier Overland Pk Ser A......................................... 7.375 01/01/32 401,080 1,000 Wyandotte Cnty, KS Sch 500 Rfdg (FSA Insd)....... 5.000 09/01/19 1,056,250 740 Wyandotte Cnty/Kansas City, KS Uni Govt Indl Rev Brd Pub Util Office Bldg Complex Proj (MBIA Insd)............................................ 5.000 05/01/09 824,530 ------------ 4,208,586 ------------ MARYLAND 1.0% 500 Maryland St Econ Dev Corp Univ MD College Pk Proj.......................................... 5.625 06/01/35 495,520 ------------ MASSACHUSETTS 3.5% 1,500 Massachusetts St Fed Hwy Grant Antic Nt Ser A.... 5.750 06/15/14 1,738,515 ------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 7 YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE MISSOURI 6.0% $1,000 Cape Girardeau Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Southeast MO Hosp Assoc.................. 5.625% 06/01/27 $ 1,012,160 400 Fenton, MO Tax Increment Rev & Impt Gravois Bluffs Proj Rfdg................................. 7.000 10/01/21 430,664 1,460 Saint Louis, MO Brd Ed Direct Dep Pgm Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)....................................... 5.000 04/01/21 1,509,246 ------------ 2,952,070 ------------ NEVADA 2.8% 1,285 Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Mtg Mezz Ser D2..... 6.300 04/01/21 1,357,731 ------------ NEW HAMPSHIRE 1.1% 525 New Hampshire Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Derryfield Sch.............................................. 6.750 07/01/20 526,470 ------------ NEW JERSEY 9.0% 1,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Econ Dev Rev Kapkowski Rd Landfill Proj Rfdg............................ 5.750 04/01/31 963,520 1,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Wtr Fac Rev NJ American Wtr Co Inc Ser B (FGIC Insd)..................... 5.375 05/01/32 1,543,035 1,000 New Jersey St Ed Fac Auth Higher Ed Cap Impt Ser A (AMBAC Insd)................................... 5.250 09/01/21 1,059,720 765 New Jersey St Trans Corp Cap Grant Antic Nt Ser B (AMBAC Insd)..................................... 5.500 02/01/08 860,181 ------------ 4,426,456 ------------ NEW YORK 7.7% 1,000 New York City Ser H.............................. 5.750 03/15/13 1,099,030 1,000 New York St Environmental Fac Ser C.............. 5.000 07/15/20 1,041,840 1,000 New York St Urban Dev Corp Personal Income Tax Ser C 1 (FGIC Insd).............................. 5.500 03/15/19 1,101,850 500 Yonkers, NY Indl Dev Agy Civic Fac Rev Cmnty Dev Ppty Yonkers Inc Ser A........................... 6.625 02/01/26 528,770 ------------ 3,771,490 ------------ NORTH CAROLINA 2.2% 1,000 North Carolina Muni Pwr Agy Ser A (MBIA Insd).... 5.250 01/01/20 1,060,000 ------------ OHIO 4.8% 1,000 Franklin Cnty, OH Convention Fac Auth Tax & Lease Rev Antic Bds Rfdg (AMBAC Insd).................. 5.250 12/01/19 1,069,610 1,250 Ohio St Bldg Auth St Fac Admin Bldg Fd Proj Ser A (FSA Insd)....................................... 5.000 04/01/22 1,280,575 ------------ 2,350,185 ------------ OREGON 2.2% 1,000 Oregon St Dept Admin Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd)...... 5.250 11/01/18 1,070,350 ------------
8 See Notes to Financial Statements YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE PENNSYLVANIA 2.8% $1,000 Beaver Cnty, PA Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Coll Toledo Edison Co Proj Rfdg.................. 7.625% 05/01/20 $ 1,064,450 315 Crawford Cnty, PA Hosp Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Wesbury Utd Methodist Cmnty...................... 5.875 08/15/10 315,910 ------------ 1,380,360 ------------ SOUTH CAROLINA 4.8% 1,235 Rock Hill, SC Util Sys Rev Ser C Rfdg (FSA Insd)............................................ 5.250 01/01/15 1,346,187 1,000 South Carolina Jobs Econ Elec & Gas Co Proj Ser A (AMBAC Insd)..................................... 5.200 11/01/27 1,030,800 ------------ 2,376,987 ------------ TENNESSEE 3.6% 400 Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Hosp First Mtg Ser B Impt & Rfdg............................ 8.000 07/01/33 448,540 400 Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Hosp Ser B Impt & Rfdg (MBIA Insd).......................... 7.750 07/01/29 516,400 750 Memphis, TN Gen Impt............................. 5.000 05/01/20 780,203 ------------ 1,745,143 ------------ TEXAS 13.7% 1,000 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt Jt Ser A Rfdg (FGIC Insd)................................. 5.500 11/01/31 1,030,980 1,500 Fort Worth, TX Wtr & Swr Rev Impt Rfdg........... 5.750 02/15/16 1,690,695 1,000 Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Sub Lien Ser A (FSA Insd)............................................ 5.625 07/01/30 1,037,460 400 Metropolitan Hlth Fac Dev Corp TX Wilson N Jones Mem Hosp Proj.................................... 7.250 01/01/31 370,492 1,000 North Cent TX Hlth Fac Dev Hosp Baylor Hlthcare Sys Proj Ser A................................... 5.125 05/15/29 997,150 249 Pecos Cnty, TX Ctf Part (e)...................... 6.000 01/12/08 252,637 1,300 Texas St Pub Ppty Fin Corp Rev Mental Hlth & Retardation Rfdg (FSA Insd)...................... 5.500 09/01/13 1,343,108 ------------ 6,722,522 ------------ WASHINGTON 8.1% 1,000 Energy Northwest WA Elec Rev Proj No 3 Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)....................................... 5.500 07/01/17 1,092,700 1,660 Pierce Cnty, WA (AMBAC Insd)..................... 5.750 08/01/16 1,869,957 1,000 Port Seattle, WA Rev Ser B (MBIA Insd)........... 5.625 02/01/24 1,039,590 ------------ 4,002,247 ------------
See Notes to Financial Statements 9 YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS October 31, 2003
PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE GUAM 2.1% $1,000 Guam Pwr Auth Rev Ser A (AMBAC Insd)............. 5.250% 10/01/34 $ 1,029,080 ------------ TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 146.4% (Cost $69,911,698).......................................................... 71,920,750 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT 1.8% (Cost $900,000)............................................................. 900,000 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS 148.2% (Cost $70,811,698).......................................................... 72,820,750 OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 2.7%................................... 1,305,346 PREFERRED SHARES (INCLUDING ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS) (50.9%)................... (25,001,897) ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 100.0%................................ $ 49,124,199 ============
* Zero coupon bond (a) All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts. (b) Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. (c) Non-income producing security. (d) Market value is determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. (e) These securities are restricted and may be resold only in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. (f) This borrower has filed for protection in federal bankruptcy court. (g) Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. (h) Affiliated issuer. See Notes to Financial Statements. AMBAC--AMBAC Indemnity Corp. Asset Gty--Asset Guaranty Insurance Co. FGIC--Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. FSA--Financial Security Assurance Inc. GNMA--Government National Mortgage Association MBIA--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp. 10 See Notes to Financial Statements FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities October 31, 2003 ASSETS: Total Investments (Cost $70,811,698)........................ $72,820,750 Cash........................................................ 115,258 Receivables: Investments Sold.......................................... 2,334,476 Interest.................................................. 1,076,437 Other....................................................... 1,377 ----------- Total Assets............................................ 76,348,298 ----------- LIABILITIES: Payables: Investments Purchased..................................... 1,925,850 Investment Advisory Fee................................... 37,638 Income Distributions--Common Shares....................... 17,127 Variation Margin on Futures............................... 12,719 Affiliates................................................ 5,261 Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 160,685 Accrued Expenses............................................ 62,922 ----------- Total Liabilities....................................... 2,222,202 Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions).......... 25,001,897 ----------- NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $49,124,199 =========== NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($49,124,199 divided by 4,839,000 shares outstanding)............................. $ 10.15 =========== NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of shares authorized, 4,839,000 shares issued and outstanding).............................................. $ 48,390 Paid in Surplus............................................. 51,562,586 Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 1,859,177 Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. (466,689) Accumulated Net Realized Loss............................... (3,879,265) ----------- NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $49,124,199 =========== PREFERRED SHARES ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, 250 issued with liquidation preference of $100,000 per share)................................................ $25,000,000 =========== NET ASSETS INCLUDING PREFERRED SHARES....................... $74,124,199 ===========
See Notes to Financial Statements 11 Statement of Operations For the Year Ended October 31, 2003 INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest.................................................... $3,764,141 ---------- EXPENSES: Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 444,000 Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 82,355 Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 40,306 Legal....................................................... 21,912 Custody..................................................... 6,343 Other....................................................... 136,065 ---------- Total Expenses.......................................... 730,981 ---------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $3,033,160 ========== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS: Realized Gain/Loss: Investments............................................... $ 919,944 Futures................................................... (77,994) ---------- Net Realized Gain........................................... 841,950 ---------- Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation: Beginning of the Period................................... 2,193,390 ---------- End of the Period: Investments............................................. 2,009,052 Futures................................................. (149,875) ---------- 1,859,177 ---------- Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period............... (334,213) ---------- NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN............................ $ 507,737 ========== DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS..................... $ (271,360) ========== NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM OPERATIONS................................................ $3,269,537 ==========
12 See Notes to Financial Statements Statements of Changes in Net Assets
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003 OCTOBER 31, 2002 ------------------------------------ FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: Operations: Net Investment Income................................... $ 3,033,160 $ 3,157,485 Net Realized Gain/Loss.................................. 841,950 (941,593) Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation During the Period................................................ (334,213) 324,142 Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (271,360) (357,288) ----------- ----------- Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations............................................ 3,269,537 2,182,746 Distributions to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (2,380,271) (2,380,294) ----------- ----------- NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES............................ 889,266 (197,548) NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES: Beginning of the Period................................. 48,234,933 48,432,481 ----------- ----------- End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of ($466,689) and ($845,680), respectively)......................................... $49,124,199 $48,234,933 =========== ===========
See Notes to Financial Statements 13 Financial Highlights THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE COMMON SHARE OF THE TRUST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED.
-------------------------------- 2003 2002 (a) 2001 -------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD.................. $ 9.97 $ 10.01 $ 9.43 -------- -------- -------- Net Investment Income................................... .63 .65 .67 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss................... .10 (.13) .59 Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income............................... (.06) (.07) (.18) -------- -------- -------- Total from Investment Operations.......................... .67 .45 1.08 Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income............................... (.49) (.49) (.50) -------- -------- -------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD........................ $ 10.15 $ 9.97 $ 10.01 ======== ======== ======== Common Share Market Price at End of the Period............ $ 8.96 $ 8.69 $ 8.70 Total Return (b).......................................... 8.91% 5.64% 14.11% Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the Period (In millions).................................... $ 49.1 $ 48.2 $ 48.4 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)....................................... 1.49% 1.42% 1.46% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)......................... 6.19% 6.62% 6.77% Portfolio Turnover........................................ 36% 37% 45% SUPPLEMENTAL RATIOS: Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Including Preferred Shares (c).................................... .99% .93% .96% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (d)......................... 5.64% 5.87% 4.98% SENIOR SECURITIES: Total Preferred Shares Outstanding........................ 250 250 250 Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e).................... $296,504 $292,949 $293,730 Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share.... $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 Average Market Value Per Preferred Share.................. $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
(a)As required, effective November 1, 2001, the Trust has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began accreting market discount on fixed income securities. The effect of this change for the year ended October 31, 2002 was to increase net investment income per share by less than $.01, decrease net realized and unrealized gains and losses per share by less than $.01 and increase the ratio of net investment income to average net assets by .01%. Per share, ratios, and supplemental data for periods prior to October 31, 2002 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. (b)Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the closing common share price at the end of the period indicated. (c)Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders. (d)Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders. (e)Calculated by subtracting the Trust's total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Trust's total assets and dividing this by the number of preferred shares outstanding. 14
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 9.39 $ 10.66 $ 10.66 $ 10.47 $ 10.75 $ 10.50 $ 12.09 -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- .76 .83 .86 .96 .88 .88 .96 .09 (1.26) .01 .12 (.19) .40 (1.48) (.21) (.17) (.19) (.18) (.19) (.20) (.14) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- .64 (.60) .68 .90 .50 1.08 (.66) (.60) (.67) (.68) (.71) (.78) (.83) (.93) -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 9.43 $ 9.39 $ 10.66 $ 10.66 $ 10.47 $ 10.75 $ 10.50 ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== $ 8.08 $ 8.8125 $11.0625 $10.9375 $ 11.00 $ 10.625 $ 11.125 -1.60% -15.09% 7.63% 6.13% 11.02% 2.88% -13.59% $ 45.6 $ 45.4 $ 51.6 $ 51.6 $ 50.7 $ 52.0 $ 50.8 1.52% 1.69% 1.47% 1.47% 1.51% 1.52% 1.47% 8.25% 8.11% 8.14% 9.14% 8.32% 8.22% 8.45% 41% 46% 33% 25% 39% 50% 30% .98% 1.12% .99% .99% 1.01% 1.02% 1.01% 5.92% 6.41% 6.40% 7.38% 6.55% 6.31% 7.20% 250 250 250 250 250 250 250 $282,465 $281,691 $306,365 $306,303 $302,730 $308,150 $303,231 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000
See Notes to Financial Statements 15 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 2003 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust (the "Trust") is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Trust's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in tax-exempt municipal securities rated investment grade at the time of investment. The Trust commenced investment operations on November 30, 1989. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. A. SECURITY VALUATION Municipal bonds are valued by independent pricing services or dealers using the mean of the bid and asked prices or, in the absence of market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to municipal bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions. Securities which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are valued at fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS Security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The Trust may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery" basis with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will segregate assets with its custodian having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until payment is made. At October 31, 2003, the Trust had $1,925,850 of when-issued and delayed delivery purchase commitments. C. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond premium is amortized and discount is accreted over the expected life of each applicable security. D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES It is the Trust's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the year of the loss and offset 16 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 2003 such losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2003, the Trust had an accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of $3,897,092, which will expire between October 31, 2005 and October 31, 2010. At October 31, 2003, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation are as follows: Cost of investments for tax purposes........................ $70,914,981 =========== Gross tax unrealized appreciation........................... $ 4,802,103 Gross tax unrealized depreciation........................... (2,896,334) ----------- Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments.............. $ 1,905,769 ===========
E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS The Trust declares and pays monthly dividends from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains, if any, are distributed annually. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains and a portion of futures gains, which are included as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2003 and 2002 was as follows:
2003 2002 Distributions paid from: Ordinary income........................................... $3,083 $-0- Long-term capital gain.................................... -0- -0- ------ ---- $3,083 $-0- ====== ====
Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses and realized gains/ losses under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and federal income tax purposes, permanent differences between book and tax basis reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. A permanent book and tax difference relating to a portion of the capital loss carryforward expiring in the current year totaling $894,639 was reclassified from accumulated net realized loss to paid in surplus. Additionally, a permanent difference relating to book to tax accretion differences totaling $2,538 was reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment income to accumulated net realized loss. As of October 31, 2003, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows: Undistributed ordinary income............................... $15,735
Net realized gains or losses differ for financial and tax reporting purposes primarily as a result of the capitalization of reorganization and restructuring costs for tax purposes and gains or losses recognized for tax purposes on open futures transactions on October 31, 2003. 17 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 2003 2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") will provide investment advice and facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .60% of the average daily net assets of the Trust. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $6,000 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of the Trust is an affiliated person. Under separate Accounting Services and Legal Services agreements, the Adviser provides accounting and legal services to the Trust. The Adviser allocates the cost of such services to each trust. For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $25,600 representing Van Kampen Investments Inc.'s or its affiliates' (collectively "Van Kampen") cost of providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, which are reported as part of "Other" and "Legal" expenses, respectively, in the Statement of Operations. Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers of Van Kampen. The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's years of service to the Trust. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500. During the period, the Trust owned shares of the following affiliated companies. Affiliated companies are defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as those companies in which a fund holds 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities.
REALIZED INTEREST MARKET VALUE NAME PAR GAIN/(LOSS) INCOME 10/31/03 COST Dogwood Addition PRD Muni Ppty Owners Multi-Purp Impt Dist No 8 Maumelle AK Impt Ser 2001 Rfdg.... 616,461 0 52,775 611,437 616,461 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt......................... 242,942 0 0 0 242,942 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt......................... 225,000 0 0 0 224,243 Sun N Lake of Sebring, FL Impt Dist Spl Assmt Ser A................... 2,300,000 0 0 616,400 2,300,000
3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $26,646,077 and $26,376,985, respectively. 4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security whose value is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index. 18 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 2003 In order to seek to manage the interest rate exposure of the Trust's portfolio in a changing interest rate environment, the Trust may purchase or sell financial futures contracts or engage in transactions involving interest rate swaps, caps, floors or collars. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or fixed-income market changes, for duration management or for risk management purposes, but may also enter into these transactions to generate additional income. All of the Trust's portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying a futures contract. In this instance, the recognition of gain or loss is postponed until the disposal of the security underlying the futures contract. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. During the period, the Trust invested in futures contracts, a type of derivative. A futures contract is an agreement involving the delivery of a particular asset on a specified future date at an agreed upon price. The Trust generally invests in exchange traded futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes and typically closes the contract prior to delivery date. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Trust maintains an amount of cash or liquid securities with a value equal to a percentage of the contract amount with either a future commission merchant pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act, as amended, or with its custodian in an account in the broker's name. This amount is known as initial margin. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Transactions in futures contracts, each with a par value of $100,000, for the year ended October 31, 2003, were as follows:
CONTRACTS Outstanding at October 31, 2002............................. 136 Futures Opened.............................................. 341 Futures Closed.............................................. (415) ---- Outstanding at October 31, 2003............................. 62 ====
19 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS October 31, 2003 The futures contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2003 and the descriptions and unrealized appreciation/depreciation are as follows:
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/ CONTRACTS DEPRECIATION Short Contracts: U.S. Treasury Notes 10-Year Futures December 2003 (Current Notional Value of $112,297 per contract).................. 12 $ (39,989) U.S. Treasury Notes 5-Year Futures December 2003 (Current Notional Value of $111,813 per contract).................. 50 (109,886) -- --------- 62 $(149,875) == =========
5. PREFERRED SHARES The Trust has outstanding 250 Remarketed Preferred Shares ("RP"). Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rate is currently reset every 28 days through a remarketing process. The rate in effect on October 31, 2003 was 0.923%. During the year ended October 31, 2003, the rates ranged from 0.840% to 1.659%. The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred shares. These fees are included as a component of "Preferred Share Maintenance" expense in the Statement of Operations. The RP are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the liquidation value of $100,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the RP are subject to mandatory redemption if the tests are not met. 20 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust: We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust (the "Trust"), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2003, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the four years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The Trust's financial highlights for the periods ended prior to October 31, 2000, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated December 9, 1999, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights. We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2003, by correspondence with the Trust's custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust as of October 31, 2003, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP Chicago, Illinois December 8, 2003 21 DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which Common Shareholders may elect to have dividends and capital gains distributions reinvested in Common Shares of the Trust. The Trust declares dividends out of net investment income, and will distribute annually net realized capital gains, if any. Common Shareholders may join or withdraw from the Plan at any time. If you decide to participate in the Plan, State Street Bank and Trust Company, as your Plan Agent, will automatically invest your dividends and capital gains distributions in Common Shares of the Trust for your account. HOW TO PARTICIPATE If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, call 1-800-341-2929 for more information and a Plan brochure. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your nominee to see if it would participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank or nominee is unable to participate on your behalf, you should request that your shares be re-registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan. HOW THE PLAN WORKS Participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares valued on the valuation date, generally at the lower of market price or net asset value, except as specified below. The valuation date will be the dividend or distribution payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the national securities exchange or market system on which the Common Shares are listed for trading, the next preceding trading day. If the market price per Common Share on the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per Common Share on that date, the Trust will issue new Common Shares to participants valued at the higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price on the valuation date. In the foregoing situation, the Trust will not issue Common Shares under the Plan below net asset value. If net asset value per Common Share on the valuation date exceeds the market price per Common Share on that date, or if the Board of Trustees should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable to the Common Shareholders only in cash, participants in the Plan will be deemed to have elected to receive Common Shares from the Trust valued at the market price on that date. Accordingly, in this circumstance, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, buy the Trust's Common Shares in the open market for the participants' accounts on or shortly after the payment date. If, before the Plan Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value per share of the Common Shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Trust's Common Shares, resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common 22 Shares than if the dividend or distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Trust. All reinvestments are in full and fractional Common shares and are carried to three decimal places. Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all Common Shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days written notice to all Common Shareholders of the Trust. COSTS OF THE PLAN The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. No other charges will be made to participants for reinvesting dividends or capital gains distributions, except for certain brokerage commissions, as described above. TAX IMPLICATIONS You will receive tax information annually for your personal records and to help you prepare your federal income tax return. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax which may be payable on dividends or distributions. RIGHT TO WITHDRAW Plan participants may withdraw at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or by writing State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA 02266-8200. If you withdraw, you will receive, without charge, a share certificate issued in your name for all full Common Shares credited to your account under the Plan and a cash payment will be made for any fractional Common Share credited to your account under the Plan. You may again elect to participate in the Plan at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or writing to the Trust at: Van Kampen Funds Inc. Attn: Closed-End Funds 2800 Post Oak Blvd. Houston, TX 77056 23 BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPAL TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES DAVID C. ARCH J. MILES BRANAGAN JERRY D. CHOATE ROD DAMMEYER LINDA HUTTON HEAGY R. CRAIG KENNEDY HOWARD J KERR MITCHELL M. MERIN* THEODORE A. MYERS JACK E. NELSON RICHARD F. POWERS, III* HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY INVESTMENT ADVISER VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP. 1 Parkview Plaza P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY c/o EquiServe P.O. Box 43011 Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011 LEGAL COUNSEL SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS) 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 180 North Stetson Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60601 For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Trust during its taxable year ended October 31, 2003. The Trust designated 99.9% of the income distributions as a tax-exempt income distribution. In January, the Trust provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year. * "Interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 24 RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust was held on June 24, 2003, where shareholders voted on the election of trustees. 1) With regards to the election of the following trustees by the common shareholders of the Trust:
# OF SHARES ----------------------------- IN FAVOR WITHHELD ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ David C. Arch.............................................. 4,218,711 64,661 Jerry D. Choate............................................ 4,213,381 69,991 Linda Hutton Heagy......................................... 4,216,536 66,836 R. Craig Kennedy........................................... 4,218,611 64,761 Howard J Kerr.............................................. 4,212,400 70,972 Suzanne H. Woolsey......................................... 4,215,781 67,591
The other trustees of the Trust whose terms did not expire in 2003 are Rod Dammeyer, Theodore A. Myers, Richard F. Powers III, Hugo F. Sonnenschein, and Wayne W. Whalen. 2) With regards to the authority to vote for the amendment to the Declaration of Trust:
# OF SHARES -------------------------------------- IN FAVOR WITHHELD ABSTAIN -------------------------------------- 3,868,429 128,972 285,971
25 TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trust's Board of Trustees and the Trust's officers appointed by the Board of Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupations during the last five years, other directorships held by trustees and their affiliations, if any, with Van Kampen Investments Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. ("Advisory Corp."), Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. ("Asset Management"), Van Kampen Funds Inc. (the "Distributor"), Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"). Advisory Corp. and Asset Management sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the "Advisers." The term "Fund Complex" includes each of the investment companies advised by the Advisers or their affiliates as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information. Trustees serve until reaching their retirement age or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the trustees. INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE David C. Arch (58) Trustee Trustee Chairman and Chief 90 Trustee/Director/Managing Blistex Inc. since 1989 Executive Officer of General Partner of funds 1800 Swift Drive Blistex Inc., a consumer in the Fund Complex. Oak Brook, IL 60523 health care products manufacturer. Former Director of the World Presidents Organization-Chicago Chapter. Director of the Heartland Alliance, a nonprofit organization serving human needs based in Chicago. J. Miles Branagan (71) Trustee Trustee Private investor. 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 1632 Morning Mountain Road since 2003 Co-founder, and prior to General Partner of funds Raleigh, NC 27614 August 1996, Chairman, in the Fund Complex. Chief Executive Officer and President, MDT Corporation (now known as Getinge/Castle, Inc., a subsidiary of Getinge Industrier AB), a company which develops, manufactures, markets and services medical and scientific equipment.
26
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Jerry D. Choate (65) Trustee Trustee Prior to January 1999, 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 33971 Selva Road since 2003 Chairman and Chief General Partner of funds Suite 130 Executive Officer of the in the Fund Complex. Dana Point, CA 92629 Allstate Corporation Director of Amgen Inc., a ("Allstate") and Allstate biotechnological company, Insurance Company. Prior and Director of Valero to January 1995, Energy Corporation, an President and Chief independent refining Executive Officer of company. Allstate. Prior to August 1994, various management positions at Allstate. Rod Dammeyer (63) Trustee Trustee President of CAC, llc., a 90 Trustee/Director/Managing CAC, llc. since 1989 private company offering General Partner of funds 4350 LaJolla Village Drive capital investment and in the Fund Complex. Suite 980 management advisory Director of TeleTech San Diego, CA 92122-6223 services. Prior to July Holdings Inc., 2000, Managing Partner of Stericycle, Inc., Equity Group Corporate TheraSense, Inc., GATX Investment (EGI), a Corporation, Arris Group, company that makes Inc. and Trustee of the private investments in University of Chicago other companies. Hospitals and Health Systems. Prior to May 2002, Director of Peregrine Systems Inc. Prior to February 2001, Vice Chairman and Director of Anixter International, Inc. and IMC Global Inc. Prior to July 2000, Director of Allied Riser Communications Corp., Matria Healthcare Inc., Transmedia Networks, Inc., CNA Surety, Corp. and Grupo Azcarero Mexico (GAM). Prior to April 1999, Director of Metal Management, Inc.
27
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Linda Hutton Heagy (55) Trustee Trustee Managing Partner of 88 Trustee/Director/Managing Heidrick & Struggles since 2003 Heidrick & Struggles, an General Partner of funds 233 South Wacker Drive executive search firm. in the Fund Complex. Suite 7000 Trustee on the University Chicago, IL 60606 of Chicago Hospitals Board, Vice Chair of the Board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and a member of the Women's Board of the University of Chicago. Prior to 1997, Partner of Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an executive recruiting firm. Prior to 1996, Trustee of The International House Board, a fellowship and housing organization for international graduate students. Prior to 1995, Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO, N.A., a bank holding company. Prior to 1992, Executive Vice President of La Salle National Bank. R. Craig Kennedy (51) Trustee Trustee Director and President of 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 11 DuPont Circle, N.W. since 2003 the German Marshall Fund General Partner of funds Washington, D.C. 20016 of the United States, an in the Fund Complex. independent U.S. foundation created to deepen understanding, promote collaboration and stimulate exchanges of practical experience between Americans and Europeans. Formerly, advisor to the Dennis Trading Group Inc., a managed futures and option company that invests money for individuals and institutions. Prior to 1992, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director and member of the Investment Committee of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation. Howard J Kerr (68) Trustee Trustee Prior to 1998, President 90 Trustee/Director/Managing 736 North Western Avenue since 1992 and Chief Executive General Partner of funds P.O. Box 317 Officer of Pocklington in the Fund Complex. Lake Forest, IL 60045 Corporation, Inc., an Director of the Lake investment holding Forest Bank & Trust. company. Director of the Marrow Foundation.
28
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Theodore A. Myers (73) Trustee Trustee Financial consultant, 36 Director of Met Life 550 Washington Avenue since 1989 Trustee or Managing Investors (formerly knows Glencoe, IL 60022 General Partner of other as COVA Financial Life funds in the Closed-End Insurance). Prior to Fund Complex. Prior to 1997, Director of McLouth 1998, Senior Financial Steel. Advisor (and, prior to 1997, an Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director) of Qualitech Steel Corporation, a producer of high quality engineered steels for automotive, transportation and capital goods industries. Prior to 1997, member of the Arthur Andersen Chief Financial Officers' Advisory Committee. Jack E. Nelson (67) Trustee Trustee President of Nelson 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 423 Country Club Drive since 2003 Investment Planning General Partner of funds Winter Park, FL 32789 Services, Inc., a in the Fund Complex. financial planning company and registered investment adviser in the State of Florida. President of Nelson Ivest Brokerage Services Inc., a member of the NASD, Securities Investors Protection Corp. and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. President of Nelson Sales and Services Corporation, a marketing and services company to support affiliated companies. Hugo F. Sonnenschein (63) Trustee Trustee President Emeritus and 90 Trustee/Director/Managing 1126 E. 59th Street since 1994 Honorary Trustee of the General Partner of funds Chicago, IL 60637 University of Chicago and in the Fund Complex. the Adam Smith Director of Winston Distinguished Service Laboratories, Inc. Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to July 2000, President of the University of Chicago. Trustee of the University of Rochester and a member of its investment committee. Member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
29
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Suzanne H. Woolsey (61) Trustee Trustee Currently with Paladin 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. since 2003 Capital Group/Paladin General Partner of funds Room 285 Homeland Security Fund. in the Fund Complex. Washington, D.C. 20418 Previously Chief Director of Neurogen Communications Officer of Corporation, a the National Academy of pharmaceutical company, Sciences/National since January 1998. Research Council, an independent, federally chartered policy institution, since 2001 and Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to 2001. Director of the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federally funded research and development center, Director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and Trustee of Colorado College. Prior to 1993, Executive Director of the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. From 1980 through 1989, Partner of Coopers & Lybrand.
30 INTERESTED TRUSTEES*
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Mitchell M. Merin* (50) Trustee, Trustee President and Chief 88 Trustee/Director/Managing 1221 Avenue of the Americas President since 2002 Executive Officer of General Partner of funds New York, NY 10020 and Chief funds in the Fund in the Fund Complex. Executive Complex. Chairman, Officer President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Advisers and VK Advisors Inc. since December 2002. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Kampen Investments since December 2002. Director of Van Kampen Investments since December 1999. Chairman and Director of Van Kampen Funds Inc. since December 2002. President, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Management since December 1998. President and Director since April 1997 and Chief Executive Officer since June 1998 of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. since June 1998. Chairman since June 1998, and Director since January 1998 of Morgan Stanley Trust. Director of various Morgan Stanley subsidiaries. President of the Morgan Stanley Funds since May 1999. Previously Chief Executive Officer of Van Kampen Funds Inc. from December 2002 to July 2003, Chief Strategic Officer of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. and Executive Vice President of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. from April 1997 to June 1998. Chief Executive Officer from September 2002 to April 2003 and Vice President from May 1997 to April 1999 of the Morgan Stanley Funds.
31
NUMBER OF TERM OF FUNDS IN OFFICE AND FUND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE Richard F. Powers, III* (57) Trustee Trustee Advisory Director of 90 Trustee/Director/Managing 1 Parkview Plaza since 1999 Morgan Stanley. Prior to General Partner of funds P.O. Box 5555 December 2002, Chairman, in the Fund Complex. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Director, President, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments and its investment advisory, distribution and other subsidiaries. Prior to December 2002, President and Chief Executive Officer of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to May 1998, Executive Vice President and Director of Marketing at Morgan Stanley and Director of Dean Witter, Discover & Co. and Dean Witter Realty. Prior to 1996, Director of Dean Witter Reynolds Inc. Wayne W. Whalen* (64) Trustee Trustee Partner in the law firm 90 Trustee/Director/Managing 333 West Wacker Drive since 1989 of Skadden, Arps, Slate, General Partner of funds Chicago, IL 60606 Meagher & Flom in the Fund Complex. (Illinois), legal counsel to funds in the Fund Complex.
* Such trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of certain funds in the Fund Complex by reason of his firm currently acting as legal counsel to such funds in the Fund Complex. Messrs. Merin and Powers are interested persons of funds in the Fund Complex and the Advisers by reason of their current or former positions with Morgan Stanley or its affiliates. 32 OFFICERS
TERM OF OFFICE AND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS Stephen L. Boyd (63) Vice President Officer Managing Director of Global Research Investment Management. 2800 Post Oak Blvd. since 1998 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to 45th Floor December 2002, Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen Houston, TX 77056 Investments and President and Chief Operations Officer of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May 2002, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to May 2001, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen Investments, and Managing Director and President of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to December 2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen Investments, and President and Chief Operating Officer of the Advisers. Prior to April 2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer for Equity Investments of the Advisers. Prior to October 1998, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager with AIM Capital Management, Inc. Prior to February 1998, Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. and Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc. Stefanie V. Chang (37) Vice President Officer Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. 1221 Avenue of the Americas since 2003 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex. New York, NY 10020 Joseph J. McAlinden (60) Executive Vice Officer Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan 1221 Avenue of the Americas President and Chief since 2002 Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment New York, NY 10020 Investment Officer Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investments LP and Director of Morgan Stanley Trust for over 5 years. Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the Fund Complex. Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. since December 2002.
33
TERM OF OFFICE AND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS John R. Reynoldson (50) Vice President Officer Executive Director and Portfolio Specialist of the Advisers 1 Parkview Plaza since 2000 and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Vice President of funds in the P.O. Box 5555 Fund Complex. Prior to July 2001, Principal and Co-head of Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 the Fixed Income Department of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to December 2000, Senior Vice President of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May 2000, Senior Vice President of the investment grade taxable group for the Advisers. Prior to June 1999, Senior Vice President of the government securities bond group for Asset Management. Ronald E. Robison (64) Executive Vice Officer Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Investor Services. 1221 Avenue of the Americas President and Principal since 2003 Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of New York, NY 10020 Executive Officer funds in the Fund Complex. Chief Global Operations Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Managing Director of Morgan Stanley. Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Trust. Vice President of the Morgan Stanley Funds. A. Thomas Smith III (46) Vice President and Officer Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, Managing Director and 1221 Avenue of the Americas Secretary since 1999 Director of Van Kampen Investments, Director of the New York, NY 10020 Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., the Distributor, Investor Services and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Managing Director and General Counsel-Mutual Funds of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors, Inc. Vice President and Secretary of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to July 2001, Managing Director, General Counsel, Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers, the Distributor, Investor Services, and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Prior to December 2000, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., the Distributor, Investor Services and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Prior to January 1999, Vice President and Associate General Counsel to New York Life Insurance Company ("New York Life"), and prior to March 1997, Associate General Counsel of New York Life. Prior to December 1993, Assistant General Counsel of The Dreyfus Corporation. Prior to August 1991, Senior Associate, Willkie Farr & Gallagher. Prior to January 1989, Staff Attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of Investment Management, Office of Chief Counsel.
34
TERM OF OFFICE AND POSITION(S) LENGTH OF NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS John L. Sullivan (48) Vice President, Chief Officer Director and Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments, 1 Parkview Plaza Financial Officer and since 1996 the Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and certain other P.O. Box 5555 Treasurer subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Vice President, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex. Head of Fund Accounting for Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Prior to December 2002, Executive Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
35 Van Kampen Privacy Notice The Van Kampen companies and investment products* respect your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain nonpublic personal information about you. This is information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you conduct with us, our affiliates, or third parties. We may also collect information you provide when using our Web site, and text files (also known as "cookies") may be placed on your computer to help us to recognize you and to facilitate transactions you initiate. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you or any of our former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. For instance, so that we may continue to offer you Van Kampen investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use this information only for the services for which we hired them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose. To protect your nonpublic personal information internally, we permit access to it only by authorized employees, and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information. * Includes Van Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp., Van Kampen Asset Management Inc., Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Management Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., Van Kampen System Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as the many Van Kampen mutual funds and Van Kampen unit investment trusts. Van Kampen Funds Inc. 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 www.vankampen.com (VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO) Copyright (C)2003 Van Kampen Funds Inc. All rights reserved. VIG ANR 12/03 Member NASD/SIPC. 12533L03-AS-12/03 Item 2. Code of Ethics. (a) The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code of Ethics") that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust or a third party. (b) No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph. (c) Not applicable (d) Not applicable (e) Not applicable. (f) (1) The Trust's Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 10A. (2) Not applicable. (3) Not applicable. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Trust's Board of Trustees has determined that it has four "audit committee financial experts" serving on its audit committee, each of whom are "independent" Trustees : J. Miles Branagan, Jerry Choate, R. Craig Kennedy and Theodore A. Myers. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an "expert" for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Applicable only for reports covering fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2003. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Applicable only for reports covering periods ending on or after the earlier of (i) the first annual shareholder meeting after January 15, 2004 or (ii) October 31, 2004. Item 6. [Reserved.] Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. The Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item is not applicable to the Trust. Item 8. [Reserved.] Item 9. Controls and Procedures (a) The Trust's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust 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. There were no significant changes or corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect the Trust's internal controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 10. Exhibits. (a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached herto. (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. 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. (Registrant) Van Kampen Investment Grade Municipal Trust By: /s/ Ronald E. Robison ------------------------------ Name: Ronald E. Robison Title: Principal Executive Officer Date: December 18, 2003 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. By: /s/ Ronald E. Robison ------------------------------ Name: Ronald E. Robison Title: Principal Executive Officer Date: December 18, 2003 By: /s/ John L. Sullivan ------------------------------ Name: John L. Sullivan Title: Principal Financial Officer Date: December 18, 2003