-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, PKysxVPvsiXDMarYL+ILkvtViMqE9GER+Ttp0lEh55wXoVP5hVXaXx57EWGRch02 nx52CT/5WmBWGDG8DK/YZQ== 0000950137-05-008025.txt : 20050628 0000950137-05-008025.hdr.sgml : 20050628 20050628133558 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-05-008025 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-CSRS PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050430 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050628 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050628 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20050628 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000894241 IRS NUMBER: 367013700 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-CSRS SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-07356 FILM NUMBER: 05919770 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS INC. STREET 2: 1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10020 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127625441 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS INC. STREET 2: 1221 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10020 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960102 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: VAN KAMPEN MERRITT STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19930714 N-CSRS 1 c95586nvcsrs.txt SEMIANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM N-CSRS CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES Investment Company Act file number 811-7356 Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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 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: 10/31 Date of reporting period: 4/30/05 Item 1. Reports to Shareholders The Trust's semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows: Welcome, Shareholder In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust performed during the semiannual 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 April 30, 2005. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT THE TRUST WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. TRUSTS ARE SUBJECT TO MARKET RISK, WHICH IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE MARKET VALUES OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE TRUST WILL DECLINE AND THAT THE VALUE OF TRUST SHARES MAY THEREFORE BE LESS THAN WHAT YOU PAID FOR THEM. ACCORDINGLY, YOU CAN LOSE MONEY INVESTING IN THIS TRUST. INCOME MAY SUBJECT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS TO THE FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX (AMT).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOT FDIC INSURED OFFER NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY NOT A DEPOSIT ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Summary as of 4/30/05
STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST SYMBOL: VKS - ------------------------------------------------------------ AVERAGE ANNUAL BASED ON BASED ON TOTAL RETURNS NAV MARKET PRICE Since Inception (1/22/93) 7.08% 5.24% 10-year 7.70 7.02 5-year 9.39 9.06 1-year 10.62 7.82 6-month 4.10 -0.04 - ------------------------------------------------------------
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 THE MOST RECENT MONTH-END PERFORMANCE FIGURES, PLEASE VISIT VANKAMPEN.COM OR SPEAK WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR. INVESTMENT RETURNS, 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. 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 does not include any expenses, fees or sales charges, which would lower performance. The index is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. 1 Trust Report FOR THE 6-MONTH PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2005 Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust is managed by the Adviser's Municipal Fixed Income team.(1) Current members include Timothy D. Haney and Robert Wimmel, Vice Presidents of the Adviser; and John Reynoldson, Executive Director of the Adviser. MARKET CONDITIONS The six-month period ended April 30, 2005, was characterized by continued short-term interest rate increases. As crude oil prices reached record highs, the prospect of rising inflation also cast a shadow. The Federal Open Market Committee (the "Fed") raised the federal funds target rate 100 basis points during the period through a series of four, "measured" 0.25 percent tightenings to 2.75 percent by the end of April. Although rates in the short and intermediate areas of the yield curve shifted upward as the Fed tightened, long- term interest rates fell as buyers did not seem deterred by the prospect of rising inflation. As a result, the yield curve (the difference between short and longer-term yields) flattened and the long end of the municipal market handily outperformed the shorter end. The municipal market in total posted positive returns during the period, though it was not uniformly strong. In contrast to the strong showing by longer-term bonds, shorter-term municipals were hampered by the Fed's tightening and turned in a flat to slightly negative showing. Within the investment-grade segment of the market, yield differentials between BBB-rated and AAA-rated municipal securities were slightly wider, though BBB-rated securities still outperformed high grades due to their higher coupons, while securities rated below investment grade strongly outperformed as investors sought out their higher yields. The Fed's interest rate hikes did not appear to dampen investors' appetites for municipal bonds, as net inflows into municipal bond funds topped $290 million during the period. The supply of new issues was modest during the closing months of 2004 (the first two months of the period) before soaring in the opening months of 2005 as long-term issuers rushed to bring securities to market in anticipation of additional interest rate increases in the near term. (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, as they did during the reporting period. On an NAV basis, the trust outperformed its benchmark index, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. On a market price basis, the trust underperformed its benchmark. TOTAL RETURNS FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED APRIL 30, 2005
- ---------------------------------------------------------- BASED ON BASED ON LEHMAN BROTHERS NAV MARKET PRICE MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX 4.10% -0.04% 1.93% - ----------------------------------------------------------
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. 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 AND INDEX DEFINITION. 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. The Fed's policy of raising interest rates throughout the period made the trust's borrowing activity more expensive. These expenses, however, were more than offset by the positive performance of the bonds held by the trust. As part of an ongoing strategy to position the trust for continued increases in short-term interest rates, we trimmed exposure to bonds with maturities in the five- to 15-year range. Our strategy also included adding selectively to the trust's holdings of bonds with longer maturities but moderate interest rate characteristics. Finally, we kept the trust's duration (a measure of overall interest-rate sensitivity) below that of its benchmark. We continued to focus on relative-value trading between liquid, high-quality securities to capture relative value opportunities identified by our analysts. The trust's overall credit exposure remained tilted toward higher-quality securities, with 86 percent of its exposure at the end of the period in bonds rated AA or better. We took advantage of some compelling opportunities to add BBB rated securities to the portfolio when our analysts identified securities with attractive structures and yield characteristics. By the end of the period, bonds rated BBB represented 9 percent of the portfolio, an allocation which proved beneficial as the market favored higher-coupon securities. 3 The trust's portfolio remained well diversified across the major sectors of the municipal bond market. At the end of the period, the top three sectors were general purpose, public building, and water and sewer. There is no guarantee the security sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or be held by the trust in the future. 4
RATINGS ALLOCATION AS OF 4/30/05 AAA/Aaa 83.1% AA/Aa 3.2 A/A 1.5 BBB/Baa 8.7 BB/Ba 0.4 B/B 1.1 Non-Rated 2.0 TOP 5 SECTORS AS OF 4/30/05 General Purpose 24.5% Public Building 15.8 Water & Sewer 10.7 Industrial Revenue 10.4 Wholesale Electric 9.0 SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS BY STATE CLASSIFICATION AS OF 4/30/05 California 13.1% New York 10.5 New Jersey 6.9 Washington 6.9 Illinois 6.8 Louisiana 6.2 Texas 6.1 Georgia 5.3 Colorado 4.2 Massachusetts 3.8 South Carolina 3.7 Ohio 3.3 Indiana 3.0 Oklahoma 2.9 Alabama 2.8 Michigan 2.3 Mississippi 2.2 Nevada 2.2 Kansas 1.9 North Carolina 1.3 Connecticut 1.3 Tennessee 1.2 Pennsylvania 0.9 Virginia 0.7 Maryland 0.4 New Mexico 0.1 ----- Total Investments 100.0%
Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Ratings and summary of investments by state classification are as a percentage of total investments. Sectors are as a percentage of long-term investments. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global securities firm which is engaged in a wide range of financial services including, for example, securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor's and Moody's, respectively. 5 FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the trust's second and fourth fiscal quarters by filing the schedule electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The semiannual reports are filed on Form N-CSRS and the annual reports are filed on Form N-CSR. Van Kampen also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to trust shareholders, and makes these reports available on its public Web site, www.vankampen.com. In addition to the semiannual and annual reports that Van Kampen delivers to shareholders and makes available through the Van Kampen public Web site, each trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Van Kampen does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Van Kampen 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 1-800-SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these 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. You may obtain copies of a trust's fiscal quarter filings by contacting Van Kampen Client Relations at 1-800-847-2424. PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND PROXY VOTING RECORD The trust's policies and procedures with respect to the voting of proxies relating to the trust's portfolio securities and information on how the trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. 6 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED)
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MUNICIPAL BONDS 155.6% ALABAMA 4.5% $6,345 Alabama St Muni Elec Auth Pwr Supply Rev Ser A (MBIA Insd) (a)................................ 5.500% 09/01/19 $ 7,170,294 ------------ CALIFORNIA 20.6% 5,000 Alameda Corridor Transn Auth CA Conv-Cap Apprec Sub Lien Ser A Rfdg (AMBAC Insd) (b)........... 0/5.400 10/01/24 3,676,650 3,330 Anaheim, CA Ctf Partn Anaheim Mem Hosp Assn Rfdg (Escrowed to Maturity) (AMBAC Insd)....... 5.000 05/15/13 3,388,508 30 California Rural Home Mtg Fin Auth Single Family Mtg Rev Ser C (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized)................................ 7.800 02/01/28 30,366 5,110 California St (AMBAC Insd)..................... 5.125 10/01/27 5,350,885 2,000 California St (MBIA Insd)...................... 5.000 02/01/32 2,074,540 2,000 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Supply Rev Ser A (XLCA Insd).................................... 5.375 05/01/17 2,219,900 5,000 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Supply Rev Ser A (MBIA Insd).................................... 5.375 05/01/22 5,547,750 5,000 Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Conv Cap Apprec Rfdg (b)....................... 0/5.800 01/15/20 4,277,950 2,000 Los Angeles Cnty, CA Pub Wks Fin Auth Rev Sr Lien Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)..................... 5.500 10/01/18 2,294,580 3,500 Palm Springs, CA Fin Auth Lease Rev Convention Ctr Proj Ser A (MBIA Insd)..................... 5.500 11/01/35 3,902,185 ------------ 32,763,314 ------------ COLORADO 4.9% 1,000 Arapahoe Cnty, CO Cap Impt Tr Fd Hwy Rev E-470 Proj Ser B (Prerefunded @ 08/31/05)............ 7.000 08/31/26 1,044,660 5,000 Colorado Ed & Cultural Fac Charter Sch Proj (XLCA Insd).................................... 5.500 05/01/36 5,471,050 1,000 Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hosp Parkview Med Ctr Proj....................................... 6.500 09/01/20 1,095,600 100 Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Pgm Sr Ser C1 (AMT)....................................... 7.550 11/01/27 101,963 ------------ 7,713,273 ------------ CONNECTICUT 2.0% 1,500 Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe CT Spl Rev Ser A, 144-A Private Placement (c)............. 6.400 09/01/11 1,616,760 1,500 Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe CT Spl Rev Ser A, 144-A Private Placement (Prerefunded @ 09/01/07) (c).................................. 6.400 09/01/11 1,582,020 ------------ 3,198,780 ------------ GEORGIA 8.3% 4,000 Augusta, GA Wtr & Swr Rev (FSA Insd) (g)....... 5.250 10/01/22 4,336,600 5,000 Augusta, GA Wtr & Swr Rev (FSA Insd)........... 5.000 10/01/27 5,232,200
See Notes to Financial Statements 7 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GEORGIA (CONTINUED) $1,870 Georgia Muni Elec Auth Pwr Rev Ser A (FGIC Insd).......................................... 5.500% 01/01/12 $ 2,083,909 1,425 Georgia Muni Elec Auth Pwr Rev Ser A Rfdg (Escrowed to Maturity) (FGIC Insd)............. 5.500 01/01/12 1,583,260 ------------ 13,235,969 ------------ ILLINOIS 10.7% 2,540 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev Second Lien Passenger Fac Ser A (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)......... 5.375 01/01/32 2,659,863 1,700 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Spl Fac Rev United Airl Proj Ser B Rfdg (AMT) (d) (e)............. 5.200 04/01/11 291,380 5,000 Chicago, IL Proj Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)........ 5.500 01/01/38 5,456,800 950 Chicago, IL Tax Increment Alloc Sub Cent Loop Redev Ser A (ACA Insd)......................... 6.500 12/01/08 1,043,185 1,500 Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No. 100 Berwyn South (FSA Insd) (Escrowed to Maturity).............. 8.100 12/01/15 2,060,610 5,000 Cook Cnty, IL Ser A (FGIC Insd)................ 5.500 11/15/31 5,435,400 ------------ 16,947,238 ------------ INDIANA 4.7% 3,065 Allen Cnty, IN War Mem Coliseum Additions Bldg Corp Ser A (AMBAC Insd)........................ 5.750 11/01/25 3,430,624 3,505 East Chicago, IN Elem Sch Bldg Corp First Mtg Rfdg (AMBAC Insd).............................. 6.250 01/05/16 4,115,185 ------------ 7,545,809 ------------ KANSAS 3.1% 1,000 Overland Pk, KS Dev Corp Rev First Tier Overland Pk Ser A.............................. 7.375 01/01/32 1,095,960 3,500 Wamego, KS Pollutn Ctl Rev KS Gas & Elec Co Proj Rfdg (MBIA Insd).......................... 5.300 06/01/31 3,764,425 ------------ 4,860,385 ------------ LOUISIANA 9.7% 7,930 Ernest N Morial New Orleans, LA Exhibit Hall Auth Spl Tax Sr Sub Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (a)..... 5.250 07/15/18 8,734,102 2,855 Louisiana St Gas & Fuels Tax Rev Ser A (AMBAC Insd).......................................... 5.375 06/01/16 3,153,519 2,000 New Orleans, LA Rfdg (FGIC Insd)............... 5.500 12/01/21 2,341,140 1,250 Saint Charles Parish, LA Pollutn Ctl Rev LA Pwr & Lt Co Proj (AMT) (FSA Insd).................. 7.500 06/01/21 1,256,412 ------------ 15,485,173 ------------ MARYLAND 0.7% 1,000 Maryland St Econ Dev Corp Univ MD College Pk Proj........................................... 5.625 06/01/35 1,037,010 ------------
8 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MASSACHUSETTS 6.0% $2,000 Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Semass Sys Ser A (MBIA Insd).................................... 5.625% 01/01/15 $ 2,205,760 1,705 Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Vly Regl Hlth Sys Ser C (Connie Lee Insd) (a)...... 7.000 07/01/09 1,946,411 5,000 Massachusetts St Wtr Pollutn Abatement Tr Pool Pgm Bds Ser 10................................. 5.000 08/01/21 5,381,300 ------------ 9,533,471 ------------ MICHIGAN 3.6% 1,000 Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Met Hosp Proj Ser A.............................................. 5.250 07/01/30 1,007,770 4,500 Michigan St Bldg Auth Rev Fac Proj Ser III Rfdg (FSA Insd)..................................... 5.000 10/15/26 4,699,755 ------------ 5,707,525 ------------ MISSISSIPPI 3.6% 2,000 Mississippi Business Fin Corp Sys Energy Res Inc Proj....................................... 5.875 04/01/22 2,025,100 2,560 Mississippi Dev Bk Spl Oblig Cap Proj & Equip Acquisition Ser A2 (AMBAC Insd)................ 5.000 07/01/24 2,797,517 490 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Ser C (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).................. 7.600 06/01/29 504,034 185 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Ser F (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).................. 7.550 12/01/27 191,077 147 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Ser D (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).................... 8.100 12/01/24 147,666 ------------ 5,665,394 ------------ NEVADA 3.4% 5,165 Clark Cnty, NV Bd Bk (MBIA Insd)............... 5.000 06/01/32 5,359,204 115 Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Pgm Mezz Ser E (AMT) (FHA/VA Gtd)............................. 6.900 10/01/11 116,308 ------------ 5,475,512 ------------ NEW JERSEY 10.8% 5,000 Essex Cnty, NJ Impt Auth Rev Cnty Gtd Proj Consldtn Rfdg (MBIA Insd)...................... 5.125 10/01/19 5,443,950 700 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Cigarette Tax..... 5.750 06/15/29 751,044 2,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Spl Fac Rev Continental Airl Inc Proj (AMT)................ 6.250 09/15/29 1,623,280 2,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Wtr Fac Rev NJ Amern Wtr Co Inc Proj Ser A (AMT) (FGIC Insd)........ 6.875 11/01/34 2,558,050 6,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Wtr Fac Rev NJ Amern Wtr Co Ser A (AMT) (AMBAC Insd)................ 5.250 11/01/32 6,844,630 ------------ 17,220,954 ------------ NEW YORK 16.6% 970 New York City Indl Dev Agy Civic Fac Rev Touro College Proj Ser A (Acquired 06/29/1999, Cost $970,000) (f).................................. 6.350 06/01/29 1,000,303 5 New York City Ser C............................ 7.250 08/15/24 5,016 2,000 New York City Ser G (Prerefunded @ 02/01/06)... 5.750 02/01/14 2,076,240 5,000 New York City Ser H (MBIA Insd)................ 5.250 03/15/14 5,520,300
See Notes to Financial Statements 9 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW YORK (CONTINUED) $5,000 New York City Transitional Fin Auth Future Tax Sec Ser B...................................... 5.000% 08/01/22 $ 5,299,600 4,000 New York City Transitional Fin Auth Future Tax Sec Ser D (MBIA Insd).......................... 5.250 02/01/20 4,386,200 7,500 Sales Tax Asset Rec Ser A (MBIA Insd).......... 5.000 10/15/22 8,076,675 ------------ 26,364,334 ------------ NORTH CAROLINA 2.1% 3,000 Charlotte, NC Ctf Part Convention Fac Proj Ser A Rfdg......................................... 5.500 08/01/19 3,333,840 ------------ OHIO 5.2% 385 Akron, OH Ctf Part Akron Muni Baseball Stad Proj........................................... 6.500 12/01/07 409,686 1,000 Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Rev Canton Inc Proj........................................... 7.500 01/01/30 1,124,720 1,000 Delaware Cnty, OH Hlthcare Fac Rev Mtg Centrum at Willow Brook (FHA Gtd) (g).................. 6.550 02/01/35 1,026,170 1,065 Logan Cnty, OH (MBIA Insd)..................... 5.250 12/01/17 1,172,948 2,045 Marion Cnty, OH Hosp Impt Rev Cmnty Hosp Rfdg (a)............................................ 6.000 05/15/05 2,046,984 275 Miami Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Impt Upper Vly Med Ctr Ser C Rfdg..................................... 6.000 05/15/06 282,815 1,195 Ohio Hsg Fin Agy Mtg Rev Residential Ser A-1 (AMT) (GNMA Collateralized).................... 6.050 09/01/17 1,247,437 815 Toledo Lucas Cnty, OH Port Auth Northwest OH Bd Fd Ser C (AMT)................................. 6.000 05/15/11 876,598 ------------ 8,187,358 ------------ OKLAHOMA 4.6% 3,905 Jenks, OK Aquarium Auth Rev Rfdg (MBIA Insd)... 5.250 07/01/29 4,243,993 1,475 Jenks, OK Aquarium Auth Rev Rfdg (MBIA Insd)... 5.250 07/01/33 1,599,520 1,000 Mc Alester, OK Pub Wks Auth Util Sys Rev Cap Apprec (FSA Insd).............................. * 02/01/31 283,970 1,000 Tulsa Cnty, OK Pub Fac Auth Cap Impt Rev (AMBAC Insd).......................................... 6.250 11/01/22 1,140,730 ------------ 7,268,213 ------------ PENNSYLVANIA 1.3% 2,000 Philadelphia, PA Hosp & Higher Ed Fac Auth Hosp Rev PA Hosp Rfdg (Escrowed to Maturity)........ 6.350 07/01/07 2,134,340 ------------ SOUTH CAROLINA 5.9% 2,420 Beaufort Cnty, SC Tax Increment New Riv Redev Proj Area (MBIA Insd) (a)...................... 5.500 06/01/20 2,685,571 3,000 Medical Univ SC Hosp Auth Fac FHA Insd Mtg Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)............................. 5.250 08/15/24 3,242,550 3,365 University SC Univ Revs Ser A (AMBAC Insd)..... 5.000 05/01/34 3,512,690 ------------ 9,440,811 ------------
10 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued
PAR AMOUNT (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TENNESSEE 1.9% $1,500 Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Hosp First Mtg Ser B Impt & Rfdg.................... 8.000% 07/01/33 $ 1,788,255 1,000 Johnson City, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Hosp Rev First Mtg MTN Sta Hlth Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd).......................................... 7.500 07/01/25 1,258,270 ------------ 3,046,525 ------------ TEXAS 9.6% 1,190 Brazos Riv Auth TX Pollutn Ctl Rev Adj TXU Elec Co Proj Ser C Rfdg (AMT)....................... 5.750 05/01/36 1,292,352 3,000 Dallas, TX Wtrwks & Swr Sys Rev Impt & Rfdg (FSA Insd)..................................... 5.375 10/01/19 3,305,430 1,500 Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Spl Fac Continental Airl Ser B (AMT)............................... 6.125 07/15/17 1,270,680 3,720 Houston, TX Util Sys Rev First Lien Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)..................................... 5.250 05/15/21 4,032,592 1,250 Matagorda Cnty, TX Navig Dist No 1 Rev Coll Centerpoint Energy Proj Rfdg................... 5.600 03/01/27 1,304,375 4,000 Wylie, TX Indpt Sch Dist Rfdg (PSF Gtd)........ 5.000 08/15/30 4,125,360 ------------ 15,330,789 ------------ VIRGINIA 1.0% 1,485 Richmond, VA Indl Dev Auth Govt Fac Rev Bds (AMBAC Insd) (a)............................... 5.000 07/15/15 1,644,385 ------------ WASHINGTON 10.8% 1,000 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 002 Wanapum Hydro Elec Rev Ser B Rfdg (AMT) (MBIA Insd).... 5.375 01/01/18 1,064,780 3,465 Seattle, WA Drain & Wastewater Rev Rfdg (FGIC Insd) (a)...................................... 5.250 07/01/21 3,755,021 5,000 Spokane, WA Pub Fac Dist Hotel Motel & Sales Use Tax (MBIA Insd)............................ 5.250 09/01/33 5,327,550 2,030 Washington St Pub Pwr Supply Sys Nuclear Proj No 3 Rev Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd)................ * 07/01/13 1,458,149 3,380 Washington St Pub Pwr Supply Sys Nuclear Proj No 3 Rev Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd)................ * 07/01/15 2,181,756 3,000 Washington St Ser B............................ 5.500 05/01/18 3,389,040 ------------ 17,176,296 ------------ TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 155.6% (Cost $236,121,674)........................................................ $247,486,992 SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 1.8% (Cost $2,900,000).......................................................... 2,900,000 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS 157.4% (Cost $239,021,674)........................................................ 250,386,992
See Notes to Financial Statements 11 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued
DESCRIPTION VALUE - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 2.4%...................................... $ 3,783,400 PREFERRED SHARES (INCLUDING ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS) (59.8%)...................... (95,130,959) ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 100.0%................................... $159,039,433 ============
Percentages are calculated as a percentage of net assets applicable to common shares. * Zero coupon bond (a) The Trust owns 100% of the bond issuance. (b) Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. (c) 144A securities are those which are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. (d) Issuer has filed for protection in federal bankruptcy court. (e) Non-income producing security. (f) These securities are restricted and may be resold only in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. Restricted securities comprise 0.62% of net assets applicable to common shares. (g) All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts. ACA--American Capital Access AMBAC--AMBAC Indemnity Corp. AMT--Alternative Minimum Tax Connie Lee--Connie Lee Insurance Co. FGIC--Financial Guaranty Insurance Co. FHA--Federal Housing Administration FHA/VA--Federal Housing Administration/Department of Veterans Affairs FSA--Financial Security Assurance Inc. GNMA--Government National Mortgage Association MBIA--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp. PSF--Public School Fund XLCA--XL Capital Assurance Inc. 12 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities April 30, 2005 (Unaudited) ASSETS: Total Investments (Cost $239,021,674)....................... $250,386,992 Cash........................................................ 15,445 Receivables: Interest.................................................. 3,702,515 Investments Sold.......................................... 1,673,891 Variation Margin on Futures............................... 122,750 Other....................................................... 531 ------------ Total Assets............................................ 255,902,124 ------------ LIABILITIES: Payables: Investments Purchased..................................... 1,271,637 Investment Advisory Fee................................... 114,074 Income Distributions--Common Shares....................... 31,732 Other Affiliates.......................................... 10,513 Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 251,251 Accrued Expenses............................................ 52,525 ------------ Total Liabilities....................................... 1,731,732 Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions).......... 95,130,959 ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $159,039,433 ============ NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($159,039,433 divided by 10,806,700 shares outstanding)............................ $ 14.72 ============ NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of shares authorized, 10,806,700 shares issued and outstanding).............................................. $ 108,067 Paid in Surplus............................................. 146,198,336 Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 11,079,495 Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. 1,611,861 Accumulated Net Realized Gain............................... 41,674 ------------ NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $159,039,433 ============ PREFERRED SHARES ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, 3,800 issued with liquidation preference of $25,000 per share)........................................ $ 95,000,000 ============ NET ASSETS INCLUDING PREFERRED SHARES....................... $254,039,433 ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 13 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2005 (Unaudited) INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest.................................................... $ 6,088,965 ----------- EXPENSES: Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 690,437 Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 132,645 Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 22,729 Legal....................................................... 19,955 Custody..................................................... 8,608 Other....................................................... 78,280 ----------- Total Expenses.......................................... 952,654 ----------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $ 5,136,311 =========== REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS: Realized Gain/Loss: Investments............................................... $ 516,321 Futures................................................... 723,699 ----------- Net Realized Gain........................................... 1,240,020 ----------- Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation: Beginning of the Period................................... 10,914,661 =========== End of the Period: Investments............................................. 11,365,318 Futures................................................. (285,823) ----------- 11,079,495 ----------- Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period............... 164,834 ----------- NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN............................ $ 1,404,854 =========== DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS..................... $ (843,713) =========== NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM OPERATIONS................................................ $ 5,697,452 ===========
14 See Notes to Financial Statements VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)
FOR THE FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2005 OCTOBER 31, 2004 ------------------------------------ FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: Operations: Net Investment Income................................... $ 5,136,311 $ 10,110,813 Net Realized Gain....................................... 1,240,020 449,909 Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period........... 164,834 1,566,217 Distributions to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (843,713) (1,087,402) ------------ ------------ Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations............................................ 5,697,452 11,039,537 Distributions to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................. (4,441,061) (9,811,477) ------------ ------------ NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES............................ 1,256,391 1,228,060 NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES: Beginning of the Period................................. 157,783,042 156,554,982 ------------ ------------ End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $1,611,861 and $1,760,324, respectively)......................................... $159,039,433 $157,783,042 ============ ============
See Notes to Financial Statements 15 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED) THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE COMMON SHARE OF THE TRUST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED.
SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, ------------------ 2005 2004 2003 -------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD................... $ 14.60 $ 14.49 $ 14.44 ------- ------- ------- Net Investment Income.................................... .48 .93 1.03 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss.................... .13 .19 .10 Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to Preferred Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................ (.08) (.10) (.09) ------- ------- ------- Total from Investment Operations........................... .53 1.02 1.04 Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders: Net Investment Income................................ (.41) (.91) (.99) ------- ------- ------- NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD......................... $ 14.72 $ 14.60 $ 14.49 ======= ======= ======= Common Share Market Price at End of the Period............. $ 12.72 $ 13.14 $ 14.10 Total Return (b)........................................... -0.04%* -0.36% 10.82% Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the Period (In millions)............................................ $ 159.0 $ 157.8 $ 156.6 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)........................................ 1.21% 1.46% 1.56% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c).......................... 6.55% 6.46% 7.09% Portfolio Turnover......................................... 12%* 40% 33% SUPPLEMENTAL RATIOS: Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Including Preferred Shares (c)............................................... .76% .91% .97% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (d).......................... 5.47% 5.76% 6.44% SENIOR SECURITIES: Total Preferred Shares Outstanding......................... 3,800 3,800 3,800 Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)..................... $66,887 $66,532 $66,202 Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share..... $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 Average Market Value Per Preferred Share................... $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
* Non-Annualized (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 $.03, decrease net realized and unrealized gains and losses per share by $.03 and increase the ratio of net investment income to average net assets applicable to common shares by .19%. 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 market 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. 16
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2002 (a) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 14.75 $ 13.70 $ 13.14 $ 14.82 $ 14.35 $ 13.67 $ 13.72 $ 12.28 ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- 1.09 1.10 1.07 1.07 1.09 1.10 1.12 1.15 (.33) .94 .61 (1.69) .47 .67 (.07) 1.51 (.12) (.28) (.36) (.28) (.31) (.31) (.31) (.34) ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- .64 1.76 1.32 (.90) 1.25 1.46 .74 2.32 (.95) (.71) (.76) (.78) (.78) (.78) (.79) (.88) ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- $ 14.44 $ 14.75 $ 13.70 $ 13.14 $ 14.82 $ 14.35 $ 13.67 $ 13.72 ======= ======= ======= ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== $ 13.66 $ 13.28 $11.250 $11.625 $14.5625 $ 12.750 $ 11.750 $ 11.875 10.14% 24.99% 3.37% -15.30% 20.97% 15.55% 5.69% 18.79% $ 156.0 $ 159.4 $ 148.0 $ 142.0 $ 160.2 $ 155.1 $ 147.7 $ 148.3 1.54% 1.55% 1.66% 1.64% 1.62% 1.65% 1.67% 1.77% 7.51% 7.77% 8.07% 7.47% 7.47% 7.89% 8.23% 8.74% 33% 44% 22% 39% 18% 23% 24% 75% .95% .96% 1.00% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.06% 6.65% 5.79% 5.38% 5.50% 5.35% 5.67% 5.91% 6.14% 3,800 3,800 3,800 3,800 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900 $66,065 $66,948 $63,958 $62,357 $134,297 $131,631 $127,743 $128,047 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000
See Notes to Financial Statements 17 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust (the "Trust") is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), as amended. The Trust's investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust will invest in a portfolio consisting substantially of municipal obligations from those market sectors which the Adviser feels will best meet the Trust's investment objective. The Trust commenced investment operations on January 22, 1993. 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 the 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 April 30, 2005, there were no when-issued or 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 Subchapter M 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 such losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2004, the Trust had an 18 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of $1,662,493, which will expire according to the following schedule.
AMOUNT EXPIRATION $1,185,305.................................................. October 31, 2007 $477,188.................................................... October 31, 2008
At April 30, 2005, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation are as follows: Cost of investments for tax purposes........................ $238,471,045 ============ Gross tax unrealized appreciation........................... $ 13,862,236 Gross tax unrealized depreciation........................... (1,946,289) ------------ Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments.............. $ 11,915,947 ============
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 on a pro rata basis to common and preferred shareholders. 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 year ended October 31, 2004 was as follows: Distribution paid from: Ordinary Income........................................... $909,785 Long-Term Capital Gain.................................... -0- -------- $909,785 ========
As of October 31, 2004, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows: Undistributed ordinary income............................... $556,810
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen Asset Management (the "Adviser") provides investment advice and facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .55% of the average daily net assets of the Trust. Effective November 1, 2004, the investment advisory fee was reduced from .60% to .55%. For the six months ended April 30, 2005, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $7,400 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of the Trust is a partner of such firm and he and his law firm provide legal services as legal counsel to the Trust. 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 six months ended April 30, 2005, the Trust recognized expenses of 19 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued approximately $19,300 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 also 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. 3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $32,247,584 and $29,119,001, 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. The Trust may invest up to 15% of its net assets in "inverse floating rate obligations." The inverse floating rate obligations in which the Trust may invest are typically created through a division of a fixed-rate municipal obligation into two separate instruments, a short-term obligation and a long-term obligation. The interest rate on the short-term obligation is set at periodic auctions. The interest rate on the long-term obligation which the Trust may purchase is the rate the issuer would have paid on the fixed-income obligation, (i) plus the difference between such fixed rate and the rate on the short-term obligation, if the short-term rate is lower than the fixed rate; or (ii) minus such difference if the interest rate on the short-term obligation is higher than the fixed rate. These securities have varying degrees of liquidity and the market value of such securities generally will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an equal principal amount of a fixed rate security having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Although volatile, inverse floating rate obligations typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality, coupon, call provisions and maturity. These securities usually permit the investor to convert the floating rate security counterpart to a fixed rate (normally adjusted downward), and this optional conversion feature may provide a partial hedge against rising rates if exercised at an opportune time. 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 20 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued 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. 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 for the six months ended April 30, 2005, were as follows:
CONTRACTS Outstanding at October 31, 2004............................. 642 Futures Opened.............................................. 1,206 Futures Closed.............................................. (1,357) ------ Outstanding at April 30, 2005............................... 491 ======
The futures contracts outstanding as of April 30, 2005, and the descriptions and unrealized appreciation/depreciation are as follows:
UNREALIZED APPRECIATION/ CONTRACTS DEPRECIATION SHORT CONTRACTS: U.S. Treasury Notes 5-Year Futures June 2005 (Current Notional Value of $108,453 per contract).................. 491 $(285,823) === =========
5. PREFERRED SHARES The Trust has outstanding 3,800 Auction Preferred Shares ("APS") in two series. Series A contains 2,000 shares while Series B contains 1,800 shares. Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rate for both Series is generally reset every 28 days through an auction process. At April 30, 2005, the average rate in effect was 2.339%. During the six months ended April 30, 2005, the rates ranged from 1.250% to 2.450%. The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred auctions. These fees are included as a component of "Preferred Share Maintenance" expense in the Statement of Operations. The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Trust is subject to 21 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- APRIL 30, 2005 (UNAUDITED) continued certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to mandatory redemption if the tests are not met. 6. INDEMNIFICATIONS The Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote. 7. TRUST MERGER On May 11, 2005, the Trustees of Strategic Sector Municipal Trust ("Target Trust") announced its intention to merge the Target Trust into Select Sector Municipal Income Trust ("Acquiring Trust"). The Trustees of each of the trusts have approved in principal an agreement and plan of reorganization between the trusts providing for a transfer of assets and liabilities of the Target Trust to the Acquiring Trust in exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Acquiring Trust ( the "Reorganization"). The Reorganization is subject to the approval by the shareholders of the Target Trust. 22 VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST BOARD OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES BOARD OF TRUSTEES DAVID C. ARCH JERRY D. CHOATE ROD DAMMEYER LINDA HUTTON HEAGY R. CRAIG KENNEDY HOWARD J KERR MITCHELL M. MERIN* JACK E. NELSON RICHARD F. POWERS, III* HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY OFFICERS MITCHELL M. MERIN President and Chief Executive Officer RONALD E. ROBISON Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer JOSEPH J. MCALINDEN Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer AMY R. DOBERMAN Vice President STEFANIE V. CHANG Vice President and Secretary JOHN L. SULLIVAN Chief Compliance Officer JAMES W. GARRETT Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer INVESTMENT ADVISER VAN KAMPEN ASSET MANAGEMENT 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10020 CUSTODIAN STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY 225 Franklin Street P.O. Box 1713 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 TRANSFER AGENT EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. P.O. Box 43011 Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011 LEGAL COUNSEL SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP 180 North Stetson Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60601 * "Interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 23 VAN KAMPEN AN IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING OUR U.S. PRIVACY POLICY We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our Privacy Policy annually. The following Policy applies to current and former individual clients of Van Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Asset Management, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as current and former individual investors in Van Kampen mutual funds, unit investment trusts, and related companies. This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, 529 Educational Savings Accounts, accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or similar accounts. Please note that we may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to this Policy as required by law. WE RESPECT YOUR PRIVACY We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what non-public personal information we collect about you, why we collect it, and when we may share it with others. We hope this Policy will help you understand how we collect and share non-public personal information that we gather about you. Throughout this Policy, we refer to the non-public information that personally identifies you or your accounts as "personal information." 1. WHAT PERSONAL INFORMATION DO WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? To serve you better and manage our business, it is important that we collect and maintain accurate information about you. We may obtain this information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our Web sites and from third parties and other sources. For example: -- We may collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through applications and other forms you submit to us. -- We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources. -- We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies. -- We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements. -- If you interact with us through our public and private Web sites, we may collect information that you provide directly through online communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect information about your Internet service provider, your domain name, your computer's operating system and Web browser, your use of our Web sites and your product and service preferences, through the use (continued on back) VAN KAMPEN AN IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING OUR U.S. PRIVACY POLICY continued of "cookies." "Cookies" recognize your computer each time you return to one of our sites, and help to improve our sites' content and personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details on our use of cookies. 2. WHEN DO WE DISCLOSE PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? To provide you with the products and services you request, to serve you better and to manage our business, we may disclose personal information we collect about you to our affiliated companies and to non-affiliated third parties as required or permitted by law. A. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO OUR AFFILIATED COMPANIES. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies except to enable them to provide services on our behalf or as otherwise required or permitted by law. B. INFORMATION WE DISCLOSE TO THIRD PARTIES. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated third parties except to enable them to provide services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose information about you to non-affiliated third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information with these companies, they are required to limit their use of personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose. 3. HOW DO WE PROTECT THE SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT ABOUT YOU? We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information. Van Kampen Funds Inc. 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 www.vankampen.com Copyright (C)2005 Van Kampen Funds Inc. All rights reserved. Member NASD/SIPC. VKS SAR 6/05 RN05-01286P-Y04/05 (VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO) Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semi-annual reports. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semi-annual reports. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services. Not applicable for semi-annual reports. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable for semi-annual reports. Item 6. Schedule of Investments. Please refer to Item #1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable. Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. Not applicable. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. Not applicable. Item 11. 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. (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 12. Exhibits. (a) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semi-annual reports. (b)(1) A certification for the Principal Executive Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. (b)(2) A certification for the Principal Financial Officer of the registrant is 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 Strategic Sector Municipal Trust By: /s/ Ronald E. Robison ---------------------- Name: Ronald E. Robison Title: Principal Executive Officer Date: June 16, 2005 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: June 16, 2005 By: /s/ James W. Garrett ---------------------- Name: James W. Garrett Title: Principal Financial Officer Date: June 16, 2005 EX-99.CERT 2 c95586exv99wcert.txt CERTIFICATION I, Ronald E. Robison, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change 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; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: June 16, 2005 /s/ Ronald E. Robison --------------------- Principal Executive Officer I, James W. Garrett, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change 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; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: June 16, 2005 /s/ James W. Garrett -------------------- Principal Financial Officer EX-99.906CERT 3 c95586exv99w906cert.txt 906 CERTIFICATION Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Name of Issuer: Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended April 30, 2005 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: June 16, 2005 /s/ Ronald E. Robison --------------------- Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust and will be retained by Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. This written statement required by Section 906 is being furnished with this report, but not being filed as part of this Report. Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Name of Issuer: Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended April 30, 2005 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: June 16, 2005 /s/ James W. Garrett -------------------- James W. Garrett Principal Financial Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust and will be retained by Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. This written statement required by Section 906 is being furnished with this report, but not being filed as part of this Report. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----