UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
Investment Company Act file number 811-05767
SCUDDER STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
222 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA
CHICAGO, IL 60606
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (617) 295-2663
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Salvatore Schiavone
Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
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(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Date of fiscal year end: 11/30
Date of reporting period: 11/30/03
ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
[Scudder Investments logo]
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Annual Report to Shareholders |
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November 30, 2003 |
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Contents |
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<Click Here> Performance Summary <Click Here> Portfolio Management Review <Click Here> Portfolio Summary <Click Here> Investment Portfolio <Click Here> Financial Statements <Click Here> Financial Highlights <Click Here> Notes to Financial Statements <Click Here> Report of Independent Auditors <Click Here> Tax Information <Click Here> Dividend Reinvestment Plan <Click Here> Trustees and Officers <Click Here> Investment Products <Click Here> Additional Information |
Investments in mutual funds involve risk. Certain investors' income may be subject to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and state and local taxes may also apply. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the fund's shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.
Scudder Investments is part of Deutsche Asset Management, which is the marketing name in the US for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., Deutsche Asset Management Inc., Deutsche Asset Management Investment Services Ltd., Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and Scudder Trust Company.
Fund shares are not FDIC-insured and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any bank. Fund shares involve investment risk, including possible loss of principal.
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Average Annual Total Returns |
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Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust |
1-Year |
3-Year |
5-Year |
10-Year |
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Based on Net Asset Value(a)
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10.85% |
9.59% |
7.12% |
6.92% |
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Based on Market Price
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15.16% |
13.72% |
6.83% |
7.25% |
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Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index+ |
6.65% |
7.24% |
5.71% |
6.16% |
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Net Asset Value and Market Price |
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As of 11/30/03 |
As of 11/30/02 |
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Net Asset Value |
$ 12.23 | $ 11.84 |
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Market Price |
$ 12.62 | $ 11.78 |
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Distribution Information |
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Twelve Months: Income Dividends (common shareholders) |
$ .87 |
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November Income Dividend (common shareholders)
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$ .075 |
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Current Annualized Distribution Rate (based on Net Asset Value)++ |
7.36% |
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Current Annualized Distribution Rate (based on Market Price)++ |
7.13% |
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Tax Equivalent Distribution Rate (based on Net Asset Value)++ |
11.32% |
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Tax Equivalent Distribution Rate (based on Market Price)++ |
10.97% |
Performance is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividends and capital gains and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less then their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please visit scudder.com for the product's most recent month-end performance.
a Total investment returns reflect changes in net asset value per share during each period and assume that dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, were reinvested. These percentages are not an indication of the performance of a shareholder's investment in the Fund based on market price.
+ The unmanaged Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a market-value-weighted measure of municipal bonds issued across the United States. Index issues have a credit rating of at least Baa and a maturity of at least two years. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike Fund returns, do not reflect any fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly into an index.
++ Current annualized distribution rate is the latest monthly dividend shown as an annualized percentage of net asset value/market price on November 30, 2003. Distribution rate simply measures the level of dividends and is not a complete measure of performance. Tax equivalent distribution rate is based on the Fund's distribution rate and a marginal income tax rate of 35%. Distribution rates are historical and will fluctuate.
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Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust:
A Team Approach to Investing
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM" or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset Management, is the investment advisor for Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust. DeIM and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds and DeIM provides a full range of investment advisory services to institutional and retail clients. DeIM is also responsible for selecting brokers and dealers and for negotiating brokerage commissions and dealer charges.
Deutsche Asset Management is a global asset management organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles.
DeIM is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services, including investment management, mutual funds, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance.
Portfolio Management Team
Philip G. Condon
Managing Director of Deutsche Asset Management and Co-Manager of the fund.
• Joined Deutsche Asset Management in 1983 and the fund team in 1998.
• Over 26 years of investment industry experience.
• MBA, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Rebecca L. Wilson
Vice President of Deutsche Asset Management and Co-Manager of the fund.
• Joined Deutsche Asset Management in 1986 and the fund team in 1998.
• Over 16 years of investment industry experience.
In the following interview, Scudder's municipal bond team, Philip G. Condon and Rebecca L. Wilson, discuss the fund's performance and the recent market environment for municipal bonds.
Q: Will you describe the general market environment during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2003?
A: For the period, municipal bonds delivered a total return of 6.65%, as measured by the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index.1 The period was marked by a good deal of volatility in both Treasury and municipal bonds.
1 The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based total-return index comprising more than 6,000 investment-grade, fixed-rate municipal bonds with maturities of at least 2 years.In the fourth quarter of 2002, stocks and lower-quality bonds staged a rally on the heels of the Federal Reserve Board's decision to lower the federal funds rate by 50 basis points on November 6. At the same time, municipal bond prices lagged, as the interest rate cut shifted investor interest to stocks and lower-quality, higher-yielding bonds. In the first quarter of 2003, concerns about the US economy, corporate earnings, tensions in Iraq and then the escalation to the war with Iraq led investors to flock to the relative stability of both tax-free and taxable bonds versus stocks. These markets shifted back once again in the second quarter, as these concerns began to diminish, the economy started to show some signs of recovery and the US government declared an end to the Iraq war. In this environment, investors began to slowly reestablish their positions in stocks, and favored bonds less.
Q: How did interest rates and municipal bond yields react in the period?
A: The Federal Reserve Board reduced the federal funds rate, a benchmark for the market's interest rate levels, once during the period, when it was cut by a quarter of a percentage point in June to 1%.
Rates on both taxable and municipal bonds rested at historical lows for much of the period, and the municipal bond yield curve remained quite steep by historical standards. The yield curve illustrates the relationship among the yields on bonds of the same credit quality but different maturities. A steepening of the curve means that the difference in yields between longer-term and shorter-term maturities increases, while a flattening of the curve indicates the reverse.
In June, it appeared that the Fed's viewpoint on the US economy had improved. The Fed's improved perspective surprised the market and meant that the Fed did not decrease the federal funds rate by as much as the market had been predicting. This rosier outlook caused investors to begin to favor stocks. As a result, investors pulled money out of bonds, driving the prices on bonds lower due to this lower demand. Since bond rates move in the opposite direction from prices, bond rates increased quickly in July and August, though they reverted back close to previous lows in the final months of the period. Overall, as is historically the case, rates on municipal bonds did not increase as dramatically as those on Treasury bonds.
Q: Will you discuss municipal bond supply and demand in the period?
A: Although overall demand for municipal bonds remained solid, supply became somewhat less abundant near the end of the period. Specifically, in the last three to four months of the period, the issuance of new municipal bonds was not quite as strong as in the first couple months. Early in the period, new issuance had been driven by states' needs to issue more debt to make up for revenue shortfalls and to refinance old debt at lower rates. However, a total municipal bond issuance of $347 billion for the year-to-date through November 2003 was about 4.6% higher than the same period in 2002.
Q: How did Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust perform for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2003?
A: Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust posted strong absolute and relative results in the period. The fund delivered a total return at net asset value of 10.85%. The fund posted a total return at market value of 15.16%. Its average peer in the Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Funds category for closed-end funds delivered 8.61% in the period.2 The fund's benchmark, the unmanaged Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, rose 6.65%. (Please see page 4 for more complete performance information.)
2 The Lipper High Yield Municipal Debt Funds (Closed-End) category includes closed-end funds that invest at least 50% of assets in lower-rated municpal debt issues.Q: How was the fund positioned, and how did this positioning contribute to its performance?
A: While other areas of the bond market, particularly Treasury bonds, struggled in the period, high-yield municipal bonds were in high demand. New issuance remained low, however, and this environment helped high-yield municipal bonds outperform during the period. The fund's results also benefited from the use of leverage. Overall interest rates, despite the fluctuations discussed earlier, remained at historical lows during the period. As a result, we were able to use outstanding shares to borrow money at attractive rates, which could fund additional higher-yielding investments.
For the period, about 19% of the fund's assets were invested in bonds with maturities in the eight- to 15-year range. This area of the municipal bond yield curve outperformed longer-maturity bonds overall, which aided the fund's absolute and relative results.
We continue to believe that tax-free bonds are very attractive on an after-tax basis versus US Treasuries and other taxable bonds with similar maturities.
The views expressed in this report reflect those of the portfolio managers only through the end of the period of the report as stated on the cover. The managers' views are subject to change at any time based on market and other conditions and should not be construed as a recommendation.
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Portfolio Composition |
11/30/03 |
11/30/02 |
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Revenue Bonds
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73% |
77% |
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General Obligation Bonds
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12% |
13% |
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US Government Secured
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12% |
9% |
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Lease Obligations
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3% |
1% |
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100% |
100% |
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Quality |
11/30/03 |
11/30/02 |
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AAA
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32% |
31% |
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AA
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3% |
7% |
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A
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8% |
9% |
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BBB
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27% |
18% |
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Not Rated
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30% |
35% |
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100% |
100% |
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Interest Rate Sensitivity |
11/30/03 |
11/30/02 |
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Average Maturity
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11.8 years |
12.5 years |
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Duration
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6.8 years |
7.5 years |
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Top Five State Allocations at November 30, 2003 (43% of Investment Portfolio) |
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1. Texas
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15% |
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2. New York
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9% |
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3. Illinois
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8% |
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4. California
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6% |
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5. Massachusetts
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5% |
Portfolio composition, quality, interest rate sensitivity and top five state allocations are subject to change.
The ratings of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor's Corporation represent these companies' opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. The Fund's credit quality does not remove market risk.
For more complete details about the fund's investment portfolio, see page 11. A monthly Fact Sheet and quarterly Portfolio Holdings are available upon request.
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Principal Amount ($) |
Value ($) |
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Municipal Investments 152.6% |
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Alabama 2.0%
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Alabama, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Public School and
College Authority, Series C, 5.625%, 7/1/2013
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1,000,000 |
1,140,150 |
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Huntsville, AL, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health Care
Authority, Series A, 5.75%, 6/1/2031
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1,500,000 |
1,548,330 |
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2,688,480 |
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Arizona 2.8%
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Arizona, Project Revenue, Health Facilities Authority, The
New Foundation Project, 8.25%, 3/1/2019
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2,115,000 |
1,971,878 |
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Flagstaff, AZ, Industrial Development Revenue, Northern
Arizona Senior Living Community Project, 6.3%, 9/1/2038
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2,000,000 |
1,773,860 |
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3,745,738 |
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California 9.6%
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California, Electric Revenue, Department of Water Resolution
and Power Supply Revenue, Series B-4, 1.05%*, 5/1/2022 (c)
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100,000 |
100,000 |
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California, Electric Revenue, State Department Water
Resolution Power Supply Revenue, Series B-2, 1.1%*,
5/1/2022 (c)
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100,000 |
100,000 |
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California, Other REV Lease, Series C, 5.5%, 6/1/2019
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1,920,000 |
2,020,358 |
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California, Special Assessment Revenue, Golden State TOB
Securitization Corp, Series 2003-A-1, 6.75%, 6/1/2039
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5,500,000 |
5,310,140 |
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Golden State TOB Securitization, State GO, 5.625%, 6/1/2038
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1,890,000 |
1,887,127 |
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Sacramento County, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Bradshaw
Road Project, 7.2%, 9/2/2015
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1,190,000 |
1,221,095 |
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Sacramento, CA, Project Revenue, City Financing Authority,
Convention Center Hotel, Series A, 6.25%, 1/1/2030
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2,000,000 |
2,011,600 |
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12,650,320 |
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Colorado 5.7%
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Arapahoe County, Highway Revenue, Capital Improvement
Trust Fund, Series E-470, Prerefunded, Zero Coupon,
8/31/2010
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5,000,000 |
3,483,900 |
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Colorado, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Portercare
Adventist Health Project, 6.5%, 11/15/2031
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1,000,000 |
1,079,310 |
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Denver, CO, Airport Revenue, Series A:
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Prerefunded, 7.5%, 11/15/2023 |
170,000 |
183,299 |
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7.5%, 11/15/2023 |
830,000 |
891,063 |
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Denver, CO, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Urban Renewal
Authority, AMT, 7.75%, 9/1/2016
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1,760,000 |
1,884,397 |
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7,521,969 |
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Connecticut 2.5%
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Greenwich, CT, Multi Family Housing Revenue, 6.35%,
9/1/2027
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2,000,000 |
1,949,540 |
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Mashantucket, CT, Sports, Expo & Entertainment Revenue,
Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe:
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Series B, Zero Coupon, 9/1/2017 |
2,000,000 |
924,240 |
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Series B, Zero Coupon, 9/1/2018 |
1,000,000 |
430,690 |
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3,304,470 |
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District of Columbia 0.8%
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District of Columbia, Core City GO, Series A, 5.0%,
6/1/2018 (b)
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1,000,000 |
1,046,080 |
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Florida 6.3%
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Florida, Industrial Development Revenue, Capital Travel
Agency, Seminole Tribe Convention, Series A, 10.0%,
10/1/2033
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2,000,000 |
2,484,480 |
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Hillsborough County, Industrial Development Revenue,
University Community Hospital Project, Series A, 5.625%,
8/15/2023
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2,000,000 |
1,941,880 |
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Nassau County, Senior Care Revenue, Amelia Island Care
Center Project, Series A, 9.75%, 1/1/2023
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1,900,000 |
1,960,078 |
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Orlando, FL, Special Assessment Revenue, Conroy Road
Interchange Project, Series A, 5.8%, 5/1/2026
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1,000,000 |
994,360 |
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Palm Beach County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health
Facilities Authority, 5.125%, 11/15/2029
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1,000,000 |
943,850 |
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8,324,648 |
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Georgia 0.9%
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Americus-Sumter County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue,
Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, South George Methodist,
Series A, 6.375%, 5/15/2029
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1,250,000 |
1,226,062 |
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Hawaii 1.1%
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Hawaii, State GO Lease, Series CU, 5.75%, 10/1/2011 (b)
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1,250,000 |
1,440,100 |
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Illinois 11.9%
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Chicago, IL, Central Station Project, Series A, Prerefunded,
8.9%, 1/1/2011
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1,495,000 |
1,506,213 |
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Chicago, IL, Core City GO, Board of Education, Series A,
5.75%, 12/1/2017 (b)
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1,380,000 |
1,581,521 |
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Illinois, Core City GO, 5.0%, 6/1/2019 (b)
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3,000,000 |
3,170,880 |
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Illinois, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, 6.75%, 2/15/2016
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2,180,000 |
2,448,947 |
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Illinois, State GO, Prerefunded, 6.0%, 1/1/2013 (b)
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3,315,000 |
3,894,064 |
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St. Charles, IL, Multi Family Housing Revenue, Wessel Court
Project, 7.6%, 4/1/2024
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1,745,000 |
1,745,175 |
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University Park, IL, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Governors
Gateway Industrial Park, 8.5%, 12/1/2011
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1,365,000 |
1,408,366 |
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15,755,166 |
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Indiana 2.0%
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Indiana, Senior Care Revenue, Health Facilities Finance
Authority, Franciscan Eldercare Community Services,
5.875%, 5/15/2029
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3,000,000 |
2,659,560 |
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Iowa 2.6%
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Iowa, Senior Care Revenue, On with Life Project, 7.25%,
8/1/2015
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2,000,000 |
2,006,420 |
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Lake City, IA, Senior Care Revenue, Health Care Facility,
Opportunity Living Project, 6.45%, 5/1/2011
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1,400,000 |
1,413,720 |
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3,420,140 |
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Kansas 1.9%
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Manhattan, KS, Senior Care Revenue, Meadowlark Hills
Retirement, Series A, 6.5%, 5/15/2028
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500,000 |
482,795 |
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Overland Park, KS, Industrial Development Revenue,
Development Corp., Series A, 7.375%, 1/1/2032
|
2,000,000 |
2,010,900 |
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2,493,695 |
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Kentucky 0.8%
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Kentucky, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Economic
Development Finance Authority, Norton Healthcare, Inc.,
Series A, 6.625%, 10/1/2028
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1,000,000 |
1,031,920 |
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Louisiana 2.4%
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Louisiana, Pollution Control Revenue, International Paper
Company Project, Series A, 5.25%, 11/15/2013
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3,000,000 |
3,183,960 |
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Maryland 7.1%
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Anne Arundel County, County REV Lease, Arundel Mills
Project, 7.1%, 7/1/2029
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1,500,000 |
1,625,280 |
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Anne Arundel County, County GO, National Business Park
Project, 7.375%, 7/1/2028
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1,000,000 |
1,080,880 |
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Maryland, Higher Education Revenue, Collegiate Housing
Foundation:
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Series A, 5.75%, 6/1/2019 |
1,000,000 |
1,027,880 |
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Series A, 5.75%, 6/1/2031 |
1,000,000 |
1,012,440 |
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Maryland, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, University of
Maryland Medical System, 6.75%, 7/1/2030
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1,000,000 |
1,100,570 |
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Maryland, Project Revenue, Economic Development Corp.,
Chesapeake Bay, Series B, 7.625%, 12/1/2022
|
4,000,000 |
3,551,360 |
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9,398,410 |
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Massachusetts 7.9%
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Massachusetts, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health &
Educational Facilities Authority, Series E, 6.75%, 10/1/2033
|
1,790,000 |
1,774,338 |
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Massachusetts, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health &
Educational Facilities Authority, Civic Investments, Series A,
9.0%, 12/15/2015
|
2,000,000 |
2,328,760 |
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Massachusetts, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Partners
Healthcare System, Series C, 5.75%, 7/1/2032
|
1,000,000 |
1,053,600 |
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Massachusetts, Industrial Development Revenue,
Development Finance Agency, Series A, 7.1%, 7/1/2032
|
2,000,000 |
1,838,320 |
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Massachusetts, State GO, Consolidated Loan, Series B, 5.0%,
4/1/2016 (b)
|
3,175,000 |
3,404,394 |
|
|
10,399,412 |
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Michigan 4.7%
|
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Hillsdale, MI, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Hillsdale
Community Health Center, 5.25%, 5/15/2026
|
1,450,000 |
1,250,379 |
|
Kalamazoo, MI, Industrial Development Revenue, Economic
Development Corp., Series A, 7.5%, 5/15/2029
|
2,000,000 |
1,997,660 |
|
Saginaw, MI, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Hospital
Finance Authority, Covenant Medical Center, Series F,
6.5%, 7/1/2030
|
1,000,000 |
1,076,810 |
|
Tawas City, MI, Hospital Finance Authority, St. Joseph Health
Services:
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|
|
Series A, ETM, 5.6%, 2/15/2013 |
410,000 |
452,378 |
|
Series A, ETM, 5.75%, 2/15/2023 |
1,300,000 |
1,455,857 |
|
|
6,233,084 |
|
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Missouri 3.6%
|
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|
St Louis, MO, Special Assessment Revenue, Scullin
Redevelopment Area, Series A, 10.0%, 8/1/2010
|
1,510,000 |
1,827,613 |
|
St. Louis, MO, County GO, Industrial Development Authority
Revenue, St. Louis Convention Center:
|
|
|
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Series A, 7.2%, 12/15/2028 |
2,000,000 |
1,960,160 |
|
AMT, Series A, 6.875%, 12/15/2020 |
1,000,000 |
974,440 |
|
|
4,762,213 |
|
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Nebraska 0.3%
|
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|
Nebraska, Single Family Housing Revenue, Investment
Finance Authority, Series A, 6.7%, 9/1/2026
|
390,000 |
401,594 |
|
Nevada 1.8%
|
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|
Las Vegas, NV, Transportation/Tolls Revenue, Las Vegas
Monorail Project, 7.375%, 1/1/2030
|
2,000,000 |
2,000,880 |
|
Nevada, Single Family Housing Revenue:
|
|
|
|
Series C, 6.5%, 4/1/2028 |
320,000 |
333,337 |
|
Series B2, 7.9%, 10/1/2021 |
70,000 |
70,124 |
|
|
2,404,341 |
|
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New Hampshire 3.4%
|
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|
New Hampshire, Higher Education Revenue, Health &
Educational Facilities Authority, New Hampshire College
Issue, 7.4%, 1/1/2023
|
1,000,000 |
1,083,690 |
|
New Hampshire, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Rivermead
at Peterborough Retirement Community, 5.75%, 7/1/2028
|
1,500,000 |
1,335,855 |
|
New Hampshire, Senior Care Revenue, Higher Education
Revenue, Havenwood Heritage Heights:
|
|
|
|
7.1%, 1/1/2006 |
100,000 |
101,556 |
|
7.45%, 1/1/2025
|
2,000,000 |
2,032,060 |
|
|
4,553,161 |
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New Jersey 3.1%
|
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|
New Jersey, Higher Education Revenue, Educational Facilities
Authority, Caldwell College, Series A, 7.25%, 7/1/2025
|
1,040,000 |
1,072,240 |
|
New Jersey, Resource Recovery Revenue, Tobacco Settlement
Financing Corp., 5.75%, 6/1/2032
|
1,800,000 |
1,633,374 |
|
New Jersey, Special Assessment Revenue, 6.25%, 6/1/2043
|
1,500,000 |
1,347,135 |
|
|
4,052,749 |
|
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New Mexico 2.1%
|
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|
Farmington, NM, Pollution Control Revenue, 5.8%, 4/1/2022
|
2,750,000 |
2,775,025 |
|
New York 13.2%
|
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|
Nassau County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, 6.0%,
8/1/2016 (b)
|
2,825,000 |
3,259,909 |
|
Nassau County, Project Revenue, North Shore Healthcare
Systems Project, Series B, 5.875%, 11/1/2011
|
845,000 |
922,757 |
|
New York, NY, Core City GO, Series C, 7.0%, 2/1/2010
|
315,000 |
317,914 |
|
New York, NY, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Transitional
Finance Authority, Series B, 6.0%, 11/15/2013
|
490,000 |
571,026 |
|
New York, NY, Transitional Finance Authority, Series B,
Prerefunded, 6.0%, 11/15/2013
|
1,510,000 |
1,803,318 |
|
New York, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, Series A, 5.125%, 4/1/2019 (b)
|
1,450,000 |
1,637,935 |
|
New York, State Dormitory Authority, Cornell University,
Series B, 1.1%*, 7/1/2025
|
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
|
New York, State GO Lease, Higher Education Revenue,
Dormitory Authority, State University, 5.125%, 5/15/2021 (b)
|
1,880,000 |
1,996,372 |
|
New York, Transportation/Tolls Revenue, Triborough Bridge
and Tunnel Authority Systems, Series Y, 6.0%, 1/1/2012
|
5,000,000 |
5,889,100 |
|
|
17,398,331 |
|
|
North Carolina 1.9%
|
||
|
North Carolina, Electric Revenue, Municipal Power Agency:
|
|
|
|
Series C, 5.375%, 1/1/2017 |
1,000,000 |
1,050,560 |
|
Series B, 6.375%, 1/1/2013 |
1,300,000 |
1,480,531 |
|
|
2,531,091 |
|
|
North Dakota 0.8%
|
||
|
Grand Forks, ND, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Altru
Health Care System, 7.125%, 8/15/2024
|
1,000,000 |
1,089,690 |
|
Oklahoma 1.1%
|
||
|
Woodward, OK, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Municipal
Authority Hospital, 8.5%, 11/1/2014
|
1,335,000 |
1,379,509 |
|
Pennsylvania 4.6%
|
||
|
Montgomery County, Senior Care Revenue, Higher Education
& Health Authority, Philadelphia Geriatric Center, Series A,
7.25%, 12/1/2027
|
2,000,000 |
2,026,940 |
|
Pennsylvania, Higher Education Revenue, Higher Educational
Facilities Authority, Philadelphia College of Textiles and
Science, 6.7%, 4/1/2014
|
2,000,000 |
2,113,400 |
|
Pennsylvania, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Economic
Development Financing Authority, UPMC Health System,
Series A, 6.0%, 1/15/2031
|
750,000 |
785,520 |
|
Westmoreland County, Senior Care Revenue, Industrial
Development Authority, Health Care Facilities-Redstone,
Series B, 8.125%, 11/15/2030
|
1,000,000 |
1,081,660 |
|
|
6,007,520 |
|
|
Rhode Island 1.4%
|
||
|
Rhode Island, Special Assessment Revenue, Series A, 6.125%,
6/1/2032
|
2,000,000 |
1,815,860 |
|
South Carolina 7.1%
|
||
|
South Carolina, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, 5.625%,
11/15/2030
|
2,000,000 |
2,032,300 |
|
South Carolina, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Jobs
Economic Development Authority, Series C, 7.0%, 8/1/2030
|
1,545,000 |
1,681,238 |
|
South Carolina, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Jobs
Economic Development Authority, Palmetto Health
Alliance, Series A, 7.375%, 12/15/2021
|
1,000,000 |
1,275,250 |
|
South Carolina, Transportation/Tolls Revenue, Series A,
5.375%, 10/1/2024 (b)
|
4,150,000 |
4,426,597 |
|
|
9,415,385 |
|
|
South Dakota 1.5%
|
||
|
South Dakota, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Sioux Valley
Hospital, Series E, 5.375%, 11/1/2024
|
2,000,000 |
2,030,660 |
|
Tennessee 1.7%
|
||
|
Johnson City, TN, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health &
Educational Facilities Board Hospital, Series A, 7.5%, 7/1/2033
|
2,000,000 |
2,175,900 |
|
Texas 22.4%
|
||
|
Abilene, TX, Senior Care Revenue, Health Facilities
Development, Sears Methodist Retirement Facilities,
Series A, 5.9%, 11/15/2025
|
2,500,000 |
2,393,275 |
|
Austin, TX, Project Revenue, Bergstrom Landhost Enterprises,
Inc. Airport Hotel Project, Series A, 6.75%, 4/1/2027
|
2,000,000 |
1,685,040 |
|
Crowley, TX, School District GO, 5.125%, 8/1/2025
|
4,000,000 |
4,075,040 |
|
Hidalgo County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Mission
Hospital, Inc. Project, 6.75%, 8/15/2016
|
2,000,000 |
2,003,960 |
|
Houston, TX, Core City GO, Series A, 5.0%, 3/1/2016
|
3,000,000 |
3,200,670 |
|
Houston, TX, School District GO, Series A, 5.0%, 2/15/2024
|
2,000,000 |
2,025,020 |
|
Houston, TX, Transportation/Tolls Revenue, Special Facilities,
Continental Airlines, Inc., AMT, Series E, 6.75%, 7/1/2029
|
2,000,000 |
1,770,560 |
|
Tarrant County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health
Facilities Development Corp., 6.7%, 11/15/2030
|
1,000,000 |
1,082,160 |
|
Texas, Electric Revenue, Lower Colorado River Authority,
Series B, 6.0%, 5/15/2013 (b)
|
5,000,000 |
5,816,550 |
|
Texas, Industrial Development Revenue, Waste Disposal
Authority, AMT, Series A, 6.1%, 8/1/2024
|
1,000,000 |
1,035,420 |
|
Travis County, TX, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Ascension
Health Credit, Series A, 6.0%, 11/15/2012 (b)
|
3,860,000 |
4,447,453 |
|
|
29,535,148 |
|
|
Utah 0.1%
|
||
|
Utah, Single Family Housing Revenue, Housing Finance
Agency, AMT, Series B2, 6.65%, 7/1/2026
|
180,000 |
180,761 |
|
Virgin Islands 2.5%
|
||
|
Virgin Islands, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Public Finance
Authority, Series A, 6.375%, 10/1/2019
|
3,000,000 |
3,335,940 |
|
Virginia 1.6%
|
||
|
Fairfax County, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Economic
Development Authority, Greenspring Retirement
Community, Series A, 7.25%, 10/1/2019
|
2,000,000 |
2,080,820 |
|
Washington 1.5%
|
||
|
Seattle, WA, Airport Revenue, Northwest Airlines Project,
AMT, 7.25%, 4/1/2030
|
1,000,000 |
955,890 |
|
Washington, Public Housing Revenue, Housing Finance
Community Nonprofit Housing Revenue, 1.1%*, 7/1/2033 (c) |
1,000,000 |
1,000,000 |
|
|
1,955,890 |
|
|
West Virginia 1.8%
|
||
|
West Virginia, Hospital Finance Authority, Charleston Medical
Center, Prerefunded, 6.75%, 9/1/2022
|
1,610,000 |
1,995,273 |
|
West Virginia, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Hospital
Finance Authority, Charleston Medical Center, Series A,
6.75%, 9/1/2022
|
390,000 |
431,843 |
|
|
2,427,116 |
|
|
Wisconsin 2.1%
|
||
|
Wisconsin, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, 6.875%, 4/15/2030
|
1,000,000 |
1,082,870 |
|
Wisconsin, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health &
Educational Facilities Authority, Aurora Health Care, Inc.,
Series A, 5.6%, 2/15/2029
|
1,000,000 |
974,220 |
|
Wisconsin, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Memorial
Hospital Oconomowoco Project, Prerefunded, 6.35%,
7/1/2017
|
600,000 |
643,668 |
|
|
2,700,758 |
|
|
|
% of Net Assets |
Value ($) |
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $188,053,995) (a)
|
152.6 |
201,532,676 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
|
0.4 |
569,698 |
|
Preferred shares, at Redemption Value
|
(53.0) |
(70,000,000) |
|
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
|
100.0 |
132,102,374 |
* Variable rate demand notes are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically at market levels. These securities are often payable on demand and are shown at their current rate as of November 30, 2003.
(a) The cost for federal income tax purposes was $187,767,334. At November 30, 2003, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $13,765,342. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $15,988,653 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $2,223,311.
(b) Bond is insured by one of these companies:
|
Insurance coverage
|
As a % of total investment portfolio |
|
|
AMBAC |
AMBAC Assurance Corp. |
2.2 |
|
FGIC |
Financial Guaranty Insurance Company |
2.9 |
|
FSA |
Financial Security Assurance |
5.3 |
|
MBIA |
Municipal Bond Investors Assurance |
7.5 |
(c) Security incorporates a letter of credit or line of credit from a major bank.
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax
ETM: Bonds bearing the description ETM (escrowed to maturity) are collateralized by US Treasury securities which are held in escrow and used to pay principal and interest on bonds so designated.
Prerefunded: Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized by US Treasury securities which are held in escrow and are used to pay principal and interest on tax-exempt issues and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
|
|
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of November 30, 2003 |
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Investments in securities, at value (cost $188,053,995) |
$ 201,532,676 |
|
Cash |
2,581 |
|
Receivable for investments sold |
115,000 |
|
Interest receivable |
3,441,643 |
|
Other assets |
136 |
|
Total assets |
205,092,036 |
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
Payable for investments purchased |
2,013,567 |
|
Dividends payable |
754,693 |
|
Accrued management fee |
103,433 |
|
Other accrued expenses and payables |
117,969 |
|
Total liabilities |
2,989,662 |
|
Preferred shares, at redemption value
|
70,000,000 |
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders
|
$ 132,102,374 |
|
Net Assets
|
|
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders consist of: Undistributed net investment income |
2,368,849 |
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
13,478,681 |
|
Accumulated net realized gain (loss) |
(3,402,228) |
|
Paid-in capital |
119,657,072 |
|
Net assets applicable to common shareholders
|
$ 132,102,374 |
|
Net Asset Value
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, per common share ($132,102,374 /
10,805,100 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value,
unlimited number of shares authorized) |
$ 12.23 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
|
Statement of Operations for the year ended November 30, 2003 |
|
|
Investment Income
|
|
|
Income: Interest |
$ 12,340,954 |
|
Expenses: Management fee |
1,195,904 |
|
Services to shareholders |
39,363 |
|
Custodian fees |
14,211 |
|
Auditing |
55,335 |
|
Legal |
4,989 |
|
Trustees' fees and expenses |
18,021 |
|
Reports to shareholders |
89,070 |
|
Registration fee |
3,360 |
|
Auction agent fee |
161,096 |
|
Stock exchange listing fees |
33,268 |
|
Other |
38,600 |
|
Total expenses, before expense reductions |
1,653,217 |
|
Expense reductions |
(510) |
|
Total expenses, after expense reductions |
1,652,707 |
|
Net investment income
|
10,688,247 |
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investment Transactions
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) from investments |
(3,163,953) |
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) during the period on
investments |
6,723,428 |
|
Net gain (loss) on investment transactions
|
3,559,475 |
|
Dividends on preferred shares
|
(744,864) |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
|
$ 13,502,858 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets |
||
|
|
Years Ended November 30, |
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
|
2003 |
2002 |
|
Operations: Net investment income |
$ 10,688,247 | $ 10,866,922 |
|
Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions |
(3,163,953) | (160,376) |
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
investment transactions during the period |
6,723,428 | (1,129,921) |
|
Dividends on preferred shares |
(744,864) | (1,019,912) |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations |
13,502,858 | 8,556,713 |
|
Distributions to common shareholders from: Net investment income |
(9,372,241) | (8,447,491) |
|
Fund share transactions: Net proceeds from shares issued to common shareholders in reinvestment of distributions |
576,947 | 62,441 |
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share
transactions |
576,947 | 62,441 |
|
Increase (decrease) in net assets
|
4,707,564 | 171,663 |
|
Net assets at beginning of period |
127,394,810 | 127,223,147 |
|
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed
net investment income of $2,368,849 and $1,850,557,
respectively) |
$ 132,102,374 |
$ 127,394,810 |
|
Other Information
|
||
|
Shares outstanding at beginning of period |
10,757,035 | 10,751,929 |
|
Shares issued to common shareholders in reinvestment
of distributions |
48,065 | 5,106 |
|
Shares outstanding at end of period |
10,805,100 | 10,757,035 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
|
|
|
Years Ended November 30, |
2003 |
2002a |
2001b |
2000b |
1999b |
|
Selected Per Share Data
|
|||||
|
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
$ 11.84 |
$ 11.83 |
$ 11.37 |
$ 11.31 |
$ 12.24 |
|
Income from investment operations: Net investment incomec |
.99 | 1.01 | 1.01 | 1.01 | .78 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain
(loss) on investment transactions
|
.34 | (.13) | .40 | .13 | (.83) |
|
Dividends on preferred shares (common
share equivalent): From net investment income |
(.07) | (.09) | (.20) | (.27) | (.05) |
|
Total from investment operations |
1.26 | .79 | 1.21 | .87 | (.10) |
|
Less distributions from: Net investment income to common shareholders |
(.87) | (.78) | (.75) | (.75) | (.75) |
|
Net realized gains on investment
transactions (common shares)
|
- | - | - | (.06) | (.01) |
|
Total distributions to common shareholders |
(.87) | (.78) | (.75) | (.81) | (.76) |
|
Dilution resulting from preferred
sharesd
|
- | - | - | - | (.07) |
|
Net asset value, end of period
|
$ 12.23 |
$ 11.84 |
$ 11.83 |
$ 11.37 |
$ 11.31 |
|
Market value, end of period
|
$ 12.62 |
$ 11.78 |
$ 12.01 |
$ 10.51 |
$ 10.31 |
|
Total Return
|
|||||
|
Based on net asset value (%)e |
10.85 | 7.00 | 10.98 | 8.63 | (1.35) |
|
Based on market price (%)e |
15.16 | 4.86 | 21.78 | 10.13 | (14.08) |
|
Years Ended November 30, (continued) |
2003 |
2002a |
2001b |
2000b |
1999b |
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
|
|||||
|
Net assets, end of period ($ millions) |
132 | 127 | 127 | 122 | 122 |
|
Ratio of expenses (%) (based on net assets of
common shares) |
1.28 | 1.32 | 1.26 | 1.50 | 1.12 |
|
Ratio of expenses (%) (based on net assets of
common and preferred shares)d |
.83 | .86 | .81 | .95 | 1.01 |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
(based on net assets of common shares) |
8.26 | 8.49 | 8.55 | 9.07 | 6.55 |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
(based on net assets of common and
preferred shares)d |
5.36 | 5.48 | 5.52 | 5.73 | 5.99 |
|
Portfolio turnover rate (%) |
14 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 24 |
|
Preferred shares information at end of
period: Aggregate amount outstanding ($ millions)* |
70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
|
Asset coverage per share ($)* |
72,200 | 70,500 | 70,400 | 69,000 | 68,000 |
|
Liquidation and market value per share ($) |
25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
|
a As required, effective December 1, 2001, the Fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit
and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began accreting market discount on debt
securities. The effect of this change for the year ended November 30, 2002 was to increase net
investment income by $.01, decrease net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share by $.01, and
increase the ratio of net investment income to average net assets from 8.42% to 8.49%. Per share
data and ratios for periods prior to December 1, 2001 have not been restated to reflect this
change in presentation. b In 2001 the Fund changed its method of classifying preferred shares. c Based on average common shares outstanding during the period. d On September 29, 1999, the Fund issued 2,800 preferred shares. e Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund's net asset value during the period. Total return based on market value reflects changes in market value. Each figure includes reinvestment of dividends. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the Fund's shares trade during the period. * Asset coverage per share equals net assets of common shares plus the redemption value of the preferred shares divided by the total number of preferred shares outstanding at the end of the period. |
|||||
|
|
A. Significant Accounting Policies
Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust (the ``Fund'') is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the ``1940 Act''), as a closed-end, diversified management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading. Debt securities are valued by independent pricing services approved by the Trustees of the Fund, whose valuations are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, the securities are valued at the average of the means based on the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices obtained from two broker dealers. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data, as well as broker quotes.
Money market instruments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of sixty days or less, maturing at par, are valued at amortized cost.
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Trustees.
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.
At November 30, 2003, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $3,595,000 which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until November 30, 2008 ($260,000), November 30, 2010 ($171,000) and November 30, 2011 ($3,164,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
In addition, from November 1, 2003 through November 30, 2003, the Fund incurred approximately $31,300 of net realized capital losses. As permitted by tax regulations, the Fund intends to elect to defer these losses and treat them as arising in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2004.
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions of net investment income if any, are made monthly. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually.
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gains distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
At November 30, 2003, the Fund's components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a tax-basis were as follows:
|
Undistributed tax-exempt income |
$ 3,146,222 |
|
Undistributed net long-term capital gains |
$ - |
|
Capital loss carryforwards |
$ (3,595,000) |
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
$ 13,765,342 |
In addition, the tax character of distributions paid to shareholders by the Fund are summarized as follows:
|
|
Years Ended November 30, |
|
|
2003 |
2002 |
|
|
Distributions from tax-exempt income |
$ 10,117,105 | $ 9,467,403 |
Preferred Shares. The Fund has issued and outstanding 2,800 Series T municipal auction rate cumulative preferred shares, each at a liquidation value of $25,000 per share. The preferred shares are senior to and have certain class specific preferences over the common shares. The dividend rate on each series is set through an auction process, and the dividends are generally paid every 7 days. The auction agent will pay each broker-dealer a service charge from funds provided by the Fund (auction agent fee). The 1940 Act requires that the preferred shareholders of the Fund, voting as a separate class, have the right to: a) elect at least two trustees at all times, and b) elect a majority of the trustees at any time when dividends on the preferred shares are unpaid for two full years. Unless otherwise required by law or under the terms of the preferred shares designation statement, each preferred share is entitled to one vote and preferred shareholders will vote together with common shareholders as a single class and have the same voting rights.
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes.
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
During the year ended November 30, 2003, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $30,253,516 and $27,438,309, respectively.
C. Related Parties
Management Agreement. Under the Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DeIM" or the "Advisor"), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund. In addition to portfolio management services, the Advisor provides certain administrative services in accordance with the Management Agreement. The Fund pays a monthly investment management fee of 1/12 of the annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, of common shares plus the value of preferred shares, at redemption value, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly.
Service Provider Fees. Scudder Investments Service Company ("SISC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer, dividend-paying and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Effective January 15, 2003, pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between SISC and DST systems, Inc. ("DST"), SISC has delegated certain transfer agent and dividend paying agent functions to DST. SISC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the year ended November 30, 2003, the amount charged to the Fund by SISC aggregated $24,000, of which $12,000 is unpaid.
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund pays each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor retainer fees plus specified amounts for attended board and committee meetings.
D. Expense Off-Set Arrangements
The Fund has entered into arrangements with its custodian whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances were used to reduce a portion of the Fund's expenses. During the year ended November 30, 2003, the Fund's custodian fees were reduced by $510, under these arrangements.
E. Line of Credit
The Fund and several other affiliated funds (the ``Participants'') share in a $1.25 billion revolving credit facility administered by J.P. Morgan Chase Bank for temporary or emergency purposes that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated, pro rata based upon net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5 percent. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement.
|
|
To the Trustees and Shareholders of
Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, of Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust, (the "Fund"), as of November 30, 2003, and 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 five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States. 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 and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2003, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. 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 the Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust at November 30, 2003, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
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Boston, Massachusetts |
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
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Of the dividends paid from net investment income for the taxable year ended November 30, 2003, 100% are designated as exempt interest dividends for federal income tax purposes.
Please consult a tax advisor if you have questions about federal or state income tax laws, or on how to prepare your tax returns. If you have specific questions about your account, please call 1-800-621-1048.
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A. Participation
We invite you to review the description of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the ``Plan'') which is available to you as a shareholder of Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust (the ``Fund''). If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, simply contact Scudder Investments Service Company, whose address and phone number are provided in Paragraph E for the appropriate form. If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you must instruct that nominee to re-register your shares in your name so that you may participate in the Plan, unless your nominee has made the Plan available on shares held by them. Shareholders who so elect will be deemed to have appointed UMB Bank, N.A. ("United Missouri Bank" or "UMB") as their agent and as agent for the Fund under the Plan.
B. Dividend Investment Account
The Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent or its delegate (the ``Transfer Agent'') will establish a Dividend Investment Account (the ``Account'') for each shareholder participating in the Plan. The Transfer Agent will credit to the Account of each participant funds it receives from the following sources: (a) cash dividends and capital gains distributions paid on shares of beneficial interest (the ``Shares'') of the Fund registered in the participant's name on the books of the Fund; and (b) cash dividends and capital gains distributions paid on Shares registered in the name of the Transfer Agent but credited to the participant's Account. Sources described in clauses (a) and (b) of the preceding sentence are hereinafter called ``Distributions.''
C. Investment of Distribution Funds held in each account
If on the record date for a Distribution (the ``Record Date''), Shares are trading at a discount from net asset value per Share (according to the evaluation most recently made on Shares of the Fund), funds credited to a participant's Account will be used to purchase Shares (the ``Purchase''). UMB will attempt, commencing five days prior to the Payment Date and ending at the close of business on the Payment Date (``Payment Date'' as used herein shall mean the last business day of the month in which such Record Date occurs), to acquire Shares in the open market. If and to the extent that UMB is unable to acquire sufficient Shares to satisfy the Distribution by the close of business on the Payment Date, the Fund will issue to UMB Shares valued at net asset value per Share (according to the evaluation most recently made on Shares of the Fund) in the aggregate amount of the remaining value of the Distribution. If, on the Record Date, Shares are trading at a premium over net asset value per Share, the Fund will issue on the Payment Date, Shares valued at net asset value per Share on the Record Date to the Transfer Agent in the aggregate amount of the funds credited to the participants' accounts.
D. Voluntary Cash Contributions
A participant may from time to time make voluntary cash contributions to his Account by sending to Transfer Agent a check or money order, payable to Transfer Agent, in a minimum amount of $100 with appropriate accompanying instructions. (No more than $500 may be contributed per month.) Transfer Agent will inform UMB of the total funds available for the purchase of Shares and UMB will use the funds to purchase additional Shares for the participant's Account the earlier of: (a) when it next purchases Shares as a result of a Distribution or (b) on or shortly after the first day of each month and in no event more than 30 days after such date except when temporary curtailment or suspension of purchases is necessary to comply with applicable provisions of federal securities laws. Cash contributions received more than fifteen calendar days or less than five calendar days prior to a Payment Date will be returned uninvested. Interest will not be paid on any uninvested cash contributions. Participants making voluntary cash investments will be charged a $.75 service fee for each such investment and will be responsible for their pro rata share of brokerage commissions.
E. Additional Information
Address all notices, correspondence, questions, or other communication regarding the Plan, or if you would like a copy of the Plan, to:
Scudder Investments Service Company
P.O. Box 219066
Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9066
1-800-294-4366
F. Adjustment of Purchase Price
The Fund will increase the price at which Shares may be issued under the Plan to 95% of the fair market value of the shares on the Record Date if the net asset value per Share of the Shares on the Record Date is less than 95% of the fair market value of the Shares on the Record Date.
G. Determination of Purchase Price
The cost of Shares and fractional Shares acquired for each participant's Account in connection with a Purchase shall be determined by the average cost per Share, including brokerage commissions as described in Paragraph G hereof, of the Shares acquired by UMB in connection with that Purchase. Shareholders will receive a confirmation showing the average cost and number of Shares acquired as soon as practicable after the Transfer Agent has received or UMB has purchased Shares. The Transfer Agent may mingle the cash in a participant's account with similar funds of other participants of the Fund for whom UMB acts as agent under the Plan.
H. Brokerage Charges
There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of Distributions. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to UMB's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of Distributions. Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of Shares for individual Accounts through the Plan can be expected to be less than the usual brokerage charges for such transactions, as UMB will be purchasing Shares for all participants in blocks and prorating the lower commission thus attainable.
I. Service Charges
There is no service charge by the Transfer Agent or UMB to shareholders who participate in the Plan other than service charges specified in Paragraphs D and M hereof. However, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan in the future to include a service charge.
J. Transfer of Shares Held by Agent
The Transfer Agent will maintain the participant's Account, hold the additional Shares acquired through the Plan in safekeeping and furnish the participant with written confirmation of all transactions in the Account. Shares in the Account are transferable upon proper written instructions to the Transfer Agent. Upon request to the Transfer Agent, a certificate for any or all full Shares in a participant's Account will be sent to the participant.
K. Shares Not Held in Shareholder's Name
Beneficial owners of Shares which are held in the name of a broker or nominee will not be automatically included in the Plan and will receive all distributions in cash. Such shareholders should contact the broker or nominee in whose name their Shares are held to determine whether and how they may participate in the Plan.
L. Amendments
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan, including provisions with respect to any Distribution paid, subsequent to notice thereof sent to participants in the Plan at least ninety days before the record date for such Distribution, except when such amendment is necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, in which case such amendment shall be effective as soon as practicable. The amendment shall be deemed to be accepted by each participant unless, prior to the effective date thereof, the Transfer Agent receives notice of the termination of such participant's account under the Plan in accordance with the terms hereof. The Plan may be terminated by the Fund.
M. Withdrawal from Plan
Shareholders may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving the Transfer Agent a written notice. If the proceeds are $100,000 or less and the proceeds are to be payable to the shareholder of record and mailed to the address of record, a signature guarantee normally will not be required for notices by individual account owners (including joint account owners), otherwise a signature guarantee will be required. In addition, if the certificate is to be sent to anyone other than the registered owner(s) at the address of record, a signature guarantee will be required on the notice. A notice of withdrawal will be effective for the next Distribution following receipt of the notice by the Transfer Agent provided the notice is received by the Transfer Agent at least ten days prior to the Record Date for the Distribution. When a participant withdraws from the Plan, or when the Plan is terminated in accordance with Paragraph L hereof, the participant will receive a certificate for full Shares in the Account, plus a check for any fractional Shares based on market price; or if a Participant so desires, the Transfer Agent will notify UMB to sell his Shares in the Plan and send the proceeds to the participant, less brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.
N. Tax Implications
Shareholders will receive tax information annually for personal records and to assist in preparation of their Federal income tax returns. If Shares are purchased at a discount, the amount of the discount is considered taxable income and is added to the cost basis of the purchased shares.
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The following table presents certain information regarding the Trustees and Officers of the fund as of November 30, 2003. Each individual's age is set forth in parentheses after his or her name. Unless otherwise noted, (i) each individual has engaged in the principal occupation(s) noted in the table for at least the most recent five years, although not necessarily in the same capacity, and (ii) the address of each individual is c/o Deutsche Asset Management, 222 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, Illinois, 60606. Each Trustee's term of office extends until the next shareholder's meeting called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of a successor, or until such Trustee sooner dies, resigns or is removed as provided in the governing documents of the fund.
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Independent Trustees |
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Name, Age,
Position(s) Held
with the Fund
and Length of
Time Served1
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships Held |
Number
of Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
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John W.
Ballantine (57) Trustee, 1999-present |
Retired; formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk
Management Officer, First Chicago NBD Corporation/The First
National Bank of Chicago (1996-1998); Executive Vice President
and Head of International Banking (1995-1996). Directorships:
Enron Corporation (energy trading firm) (effective May 30,
2002); First Oak Brook Bancshares, Inc.; Oak Brook Bank;
American Healthways, Inc. (provider of disease and care
management services); F.N.B. Corporation (bank holding
company); Prisma Energy International (owner and operator of
Enron's international energy infrastructure business). |
82 |
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Lewis A.
Burnham (70) Trustee, 1977-present |
Retired; formerly, Director of Management Consulting,
McNulty & Company (1990-1998); prior thereto, Executive Vice
President, Anchor Glass Container Corporation. |
82 |
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Donald L.
Dunaway (66) Trustee, 1980-present |
Retired; formerly, Executive Vice President, A.O. Smith
Corporation (diversified manufacturer) (1963-1994). |
82 |
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James R. Edgar
(57) Trustee, 1999-present |
Distinguished Fellow, University of Illinois, Institute of
Government and Public Affairs (1999-present); formerly,
Governor, State of Illinois (1991-1999). Directorships: Kemper
Insurance Companies; John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.
(processor/packager/marketer of nuts, snacks and candy
products); Horizon Group Properties, Inc.; Youbet.com (online
wagering platform); Alberto-Culver Company (manufactures,
distributes and markets health and beauty-care products). |
82 |
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Paul K. Freeman
(53) Trustee, 2002-present |
President, Cook Street Holdings (consulting); Adjunct Professor,
University of Denver; Consultant, World Bank/Inter-American
Development Bank; formerly, Project Leader, International
Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (1998-2001); Chief
Executive Officer, The Eric Group, Inc. (environmental
insurance) (1986-1998). |
82 |
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Robert B.
Hoffman (66) Trustee, 1981-present |
Retired; formerly, Chairman, Harnischfeger Industries, Inc.
(machinery for the mining and paper industries) (1999-2000);
prior thereto, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer,
Monsanto Company (agricultural, pharmaceutical and
nutritional/food products) (1994-1999). |
82 |
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Shirley D.
Peterson (62) Trustee, 1995-present |
Retired; formerly, President, Hood College (1995-2000); prior
thereto, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson (law firm); Commissioner,
Internal Revenue Service; Assistant Attorney General (Tax),
US Department of Justice. Directorships: Federal Mogul Corp.
(supplier of automotive components and subsystems); AK Steel
(steel production); Trustee, Bryn Mawr College. |
82 |
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Fred B. Renwick
(73) Trustee, 1988-present |
Retired; Professor Emeritus of Finance, New York University,
Stern School of Business (2001-present); formerly, Professor,
New York University Stern School of Business (1965-2001).
Directorships: The Wartburg Foundation; Chairman, Finance
Committee of Morehouse College Board of Trustees; formerly,
Director of Board of Pensions, Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America; member of the Investment Committee of Atlanta
University Board of Trustees; Chair of the Investment
Committee, American Bible Society Board of Trustees. |
82 |
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William P.
Sommers (70) Trustee, 1979- January 1, 2004 |
Retired; formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, SRI
International (research and development) (1994-1998); prior
thereto, Executive Vice President, lameter (medical information
and educational service provider); Senior Vice President and
Director, Booz, Allen & Hamilton Inc. (management consulting
firm). Directorships: PSI Inc. (satellite engineering and
components); Evergreen Solar, Inc. (develop/manufacture solar
electric system engines); H2 Gen (manufacture hydrogen
generators); Zassi Medical Evolutions, Inc. (specialists in
intellectual property opportunities in medical device arena);
Guckenheimer Enterprises (executive food services). |
82 |
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John G. Weithers
(70) Trustee, 1993-present |
Retired; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, Chicago Stock Exchange. Directorships: Federal Life
Insurance Company; Chairman of the Members of the
Corporation and Trustee, DePaul University; formerly,
International Federation of Stock Exchanges; Records
Management Systems. |
82 |
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Interested Trustees and Officers2 |
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Name, Age,
Position(s) Held
with the Fund
and Length of
Time Served1
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Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Directorships Held |
Number
of Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen
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Richard T. Hale3
(58) Chairman and Trustee, 2002-present Chief Executive Officer, 2003-present |
Managing Director, Deutsche Investment Management
Americas Inc. (2003-present); Managing Director, Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc. (formerly Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc.)
and Deutsche Asset Management (1999 to present); Director
and President, Investment Company Capital Corp. (registered
investment advisor) (1996 to present); Director, Deutsche
Global Funds, Ltd. (2000 to present), CABEI Fund (2000 to
present), North American Income Fund (2000 to present)
(registered investment companies); Director, Scudder Global
Opportunities Fund (since 2003); Director/Officer
Deutsche/Scudder Mutual Funds (various dates); President,
Montgomery Street Income Securities, Inc. (2002 to present)
(registered investment companies); Vice President, Deutsche
Asset Management, Inc. (2000 to present); formerly, Director,
ISI Family of Funds (registered investment companies; 4 funds
overseen) (1992-1999) |
201 |
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Brenda Lyons4,6
(40) President, 2003-present |
Managing Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Philip J. Collora
(58) Vice President and Assistant Secretary, 1986-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Philip G.
Condon4 (53) Vice President, 1999-present |
Managing Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Daniel O. Hirsch3
(49) Vice President and Assistant Secretary, 2002-present |
Managing Director, Deutsche Asset Management
(2002-present) and Director, Deutsche Global Funds Ltd.
(2002-present); formerly, Director, Deutsche Asset
Management (1999-2002); Principal, BT Alex. Brown
Incorporated (now Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.) (1998-1999);
Assistant General Counsel, United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (1993-1998) |
n/a |
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Kenneth
Murphy4 (40) Vice President, 2002-present |
Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management (2000-present);
Vice President, Scudder Distributors, Inc. (December
2002-present); formerly, Director, John Hancock Signature
Services (1992-2000) |
n/a |
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Charles A. Rizzo4
(46) Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, 2002-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management (April 2000-present).
Formerly, Vice President and Department Head, BT Alex. Brown
Incorporated (now Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.) (1998-1999);
Senior Manager, Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. (now
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) (1993-1998) |
n/a |
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Salvatore
Schiavone4 (38) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Lucinda H.
Stebbins4 (58) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Kathleen
Sullivan
D'Eramo4 (46) Assistant Treasurer, 2003-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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John Millette4
(41) Secretary, 2001-present |
Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Lisa Hertz5 (33) Assistant Secretary, 2003-present |
Assistant Vice President, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
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Caroline
Pearson4 (41) Assistant Secretary, 1998-present |
Managing Director, Deutsche Asset Management |
n/a |
1 Length of time served represents the date that each Trustee was first elected to the common board of trustees which oversees a number of investment companies, including the fund, managed by the Advisor. For the Officers of the fund, length of time served represents the date that each Officer was first elected to serve as an officer of any fund overseen by the aforementioned common board of trustees.
2 As a result of their respective positions held with the Advisor, these individuals are considered "interested persons" of the Advisor within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Interested persons receive no compensation from the fund.
3 Address: One South Street, Baltimore, Maryland
4 Address: Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts
5 Address: 345 Park Avenue, New York, New York
6 Ms. Lyons was elected by the Trustees as President on November 19, 2003.
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Scudder Funds |
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Growth Funds Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund Scudder Aggressive Growth Fund Scudder Blue Chip Fund Scudder Capital Growth Fund Scudder Development Fund Scudder Dynamic Growth Fund Scudder Flag Investors Scudder Gold & Precious Metals Fund Scudder Global Biotechnology Fund Scudder Growth Fund Scudder Health Care Fund Scudder Large Company Growth Fund Scudder Micro Cap Fund Scudder Mid Cap Fund Scudder Small Cap Fund Scudder Strategic Growth Fund Scudder Technology Fund Scudder Technology Innovation Fund Scudder Top 50 US Fund Value FundsScudder Contrarian Fund Scudder-Dreman Financial Services Fund Scudder-Dreman High Return Equity Fund Scudder-Dreman Small Cap Value Fund Scudder Flag Investors Equity Scudder Growth and Income Fund Scudder Large Company Value Fund Scudder-RREEF Real Estate Securities Fund Scudder Small Company Stock Fund Scudder Small Company Value Fund Scudder Tax Advantaged Dividend Fund Multicategory/Asset Allocation FundsScudder Balanced Fund Scudder Flag Investors Value Builder Fund Scudder Focus Value+Growth Fund Scudder Lifecycle Mid Range Fund Scudder Lifecycle Long Range Fund Scudder Lifecycle Short Range Fund Scudder Pathway Conservative Portfolio Scudder Pathway Growth Portfolio Scudder Pathway Moderate Portfolio Scudder Target 2013 Fund Scudder Total Return Fund International/Global FundsScudder Emerging Markets Growth Fund Scudder Emerging Markets Income Fund Scudder European Equity Fund Scudder Global Fund Scudder Global Bond Fund Scudder Global Discovery Fund Scudder Greater Europe Growth Fund Scudder International Fund Scudder International Equity Fund Scudder International Select Equity Fund Scudder Japanese Equity Fund Scudder Latin America Fund Scudder New Europe Fund Scudder Pacific Opportunities Fund Income FundsScudder Cash Reserves Fund Scudder Fixed Income Fund Scudder GNMA Fund Scudder High Income Plus Fund Scudder High Income Fund Scudder High Income Opportunity Fund Scudder Income Fund Scudder PreservationPlus Fund Scudder PreservationPlus Income Fund Scudder Short Duration Fund (formerly Scudder Short-Term Fixed Income Fund) Scudder Short-Term Bond Fund Scudder Strategic Income Fund Scudder US Government Securities Fund |
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Scudder Funds (continued) |
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Tax-Free Income Funds Scudder California Tax-Free Income Fund Scudder Florida Tax-Free Income Fund Scudder High Yield Tax-Free Fund Scudder Intermediate Tax/AMT Free Fund (formerly Scudder Medium Term Tax-Free Fund) Scudder Managed Municipal Bond Fund Scudder Massachusetts Tax-Free Fund Scudder Municipal Bond Fund Scudder New York Tax-Free Income Fund Scudder Short-Term Municipal Bond Fund Index-Related FundsScudder EAFE ® Equity Index Fund Scudder Equity 500 Index Fund Scudder S&P 500 Index Fund Scudder S&P 500 Stock Fund Scudder Select 500 Fund Scudder US Bond Index Fund Money MarketA large number of money market funds are available through Scudder Investments. |
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Retirement Programs and Education Accounts |
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Retirement Programs Traditional IRA Roth IRA SEP-IRA Inherited IRA Keogh Plan 401(k), 403(b) Plans Variable Annuities Education AccountsCoverdell Education Savings Account UGMA/UTMA IRA for Minors |
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Closed-End Funds |
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The Brazil Fund, Inc. The Korea Fund, Inc. Montgomery Street Income Securities, Inc. Scudder Global High Income Fund, Inc. Scudder New Asia Fund, Inc. Scudder High Income Trust Scudder Intermediate Government Trust Scudder Multi-Market Income Trust Scudder Municipal Income Trust Scudder RREEF Real Estate Fund, Inc. Scudder RREEF Real Estate Fund II, Inc. Scudder Strategic Income Trust Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust The Central Europe and Russia Fund, Inc. (formerly The Central European Equity Fund, Inc.) The Germany Fund, Inc. The New Germany Fund, Inc. |
Not all funds are available in all share classes.
Scudder open-end funds are offered by prospectus only. For more complete information on any fund or variable annuity registered in your state, including information about a fund's objectives, strategies, risks, advisory fees, distribution charges, and other expenses, please order a free prospectus. Read the prospectus before investing in any fund to ensure the fund is appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance.
A money market mutual fund investment is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although a money market mutual fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in such a fund.
The products described should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security to any person in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.
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Automated Information Lines |
Scudder Closed-End Fund Info Line (800) 349-4281 |
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Web Site |
www.scudder.com or visit our Direct Link:CEF.Scudder.com (Do not use www.) Obtain monthly fact sheets, financial reports, press releases and webcasts when available. |
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Written Correspondence |
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. 222 South RiversideChicago, IL 60606 |
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Proxy Voting |
A description of the fund's policies and procedures for voting
proxies for portfolio securities can be found on our Web site -
scudder.com (type "proxy voting" in the search field) - or on the
SEC's Web site - www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy without
charge, call us toll free at (800) 621-1048. |
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Legal Counsel |
Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz 222 North LaSalle StreetChicago, IL 60601 |
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Dividend Reinvestment Plan Agent |
UMB Bank P.O. Box 410064Kansas City, MO 64141-0064 |
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Shareholder Service Agent |
Scudder Investments Service Company P.O. Box 219066Kansas City, MO 64121-9066 (800) 294-4366 |
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Custodian and Transfer Agent |
State Street Bank and Trust Company 225 Franklin StreetBoston, MA 02110 |
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Independent Auditors |
Ernst & Young LLP 200 Clarendon StreetBoston, MA 02116 |
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NYSE Symbol |
KSM |
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CUSIP Number |
811234-103 |
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Notes |
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Notes |
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Notes |
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Notes |
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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
As of the end of the period, November 30, 2003, the Scudder Strategic Municipal
Income Trust has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR,
that applies to its President and Treasurer and its Chief Financial Officer. A
copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
The Fund's Board of Directors/Trustees has determined that the Fund has at least
one "audit committee financial expert" serving on its audit committee: Mr.
Donald L. Dunaway. This audit committee member is "independent," meaning that he
is not an "interested person" of the Fund (as that term is defined in Section
2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940) and he does not accept any
consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from the Fund (except in the
capacity as a Board or committee member).
An "audit committee financial expert" is not an "expert" for any purpose,
including for purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result
of being designated as an "audit committee financial expert." Further, the
designation of a person as an "audit committee financial expert" does not mean
that the person has any greater duties, obligations, or liability than those
imposed on the person without the "audit committee financial expert"
designation. Similarly, the designation of a person as an "audit committee
financial expert" does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any
other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
Not currently applicable.
ITEM 5. [RESERVED]
ITEM 6. [RESERVED]
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Proxy Voting Guidelines. The Fund has delegated proxy voting responsibilities to
its investment advisor, subject to the Board's general oversight. The Fund has
delegated proxy voting to the advisor with the direction that proxies should be
voted consistent with the Fund's best economic interests. The advisor has
adopted its own Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("Policies"), a Proxy
Voting Desktop Manual ("Manual"), and Proxy Voting Guidelines ("Guidelines") for
this purpose. The Policies address, among other things, conflicts of interest
that may arise between the interests of the Fund, and the interests of the
advisor and its affiliates, including the Fund's principal underwriter. The
Manual sets forth the procedures that the advisor has implemented to vote
proxies, including monitoring for corporate events, communicating with the
fund's custodian regarding proxies, considering the merits of each proposal, and
executing and recording the proxy vote. The Guidelines set forth the advisor's
general position on various proposals, such as:
o Shareholder Rights -- The advisor generally votes against proposals that
restrict shareholder rights.
o Corporate Governance -- The advisor generally votes for confidential and
cumulative voting and against supermajority voting requirements for charter
and bylaw amendments.
o Anti-Takeover Matters -- The advisor generally votes for proposals that
require shareholder ratification of poison pills or that request boards to
redeem poison pills, and votes "against" the adoption of poison pills if
they are submitted for shareholder ratification. The advisor generally
votes for fair price proposals.
o Routine Matters -- The advisor generally votes for the ratification of
auditors, procedural matters related to the annual meeting, and changes in
company name, and against bundled proposals and adjournment.
The general provisions described above do not apply to investment companies. The
advisor generally votes proxies solicited by investment companies in accordance
with the recommendations of an independent third-party, except for proxies
solicited by or with respect to investment companies for which the advisor or an
affiliate serves as investment advisor or principal underwriter ("affiliated
investment companies"). The advisor votes affiliated investment company proxies
in the same proportion as the vote of the investment company's other
shareholders (sometimes called "mirror" or "echo" voting). Master fund proxies
solicited from feeder funds are voted in accordance with applicable requirements
of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Although the Guidelines set forth the advisor's general voting positions on
various proposals, the advisor may, consistent with the Fund's best interests,
determine under some circumstances to vote contrary to those positions.
The Guidelines on a particular issue may or may not reflect the view of
individual members of the board, or of a majority of the board. In addition, the
Guidelines may reflect a voting position that differs from the actual practices
of the public companies within the Deutsche Bank organization or of the
investment companies for which the advisor or an affiliate serves as investment
advisor or sponsor.
The advisor may consider the views of a portfolio company's management in
deciding how to vote a proxy or in establishing general voting positions for the
Guidelines, but management's views are not determinative.
As mentioned above, the Policies describe the way in which the advisor resolves
conflicts of interest. To resolve conflicts, the advisor, under normal
circumstances, votes proxies in accordance with its Guidelines. If the advisor
departs from the Guidelines with respect to a particular proxy or if the
Guidelines do not specifically address a certain proxy proposal, a committee
established by the advisor will vote the proxy. Before voting any such proxy,
however, the committee will exclude from the voting discussions and
determinations any member who is involved in or aware of a material conflict of
interest. If, after excluding any and all such members, there are fewer than
three voting members remaining, the advisor will engage an independent third
party to vote the proxy or follow the proxy voting recommendations of an
independent third party.
Under certain circumstances, the advisor may not be able to vote proxies or the
advisor may find that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the
benefits associated with voting. For example, the advisor may not vote proxies
on certain foreign securities due to local restrictions or customs. The advisor
generally does not vote proxies on securities subject to share blocking
restrictions.
ITEM 8. [RESERVED]
ITEM 9. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant's
Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the
Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing
date of this report.
(b) During the filing period of the report, management identified issues
relating to the overall fund expense payment and accrual process. Management
discussed these matters with the Registrant's Audit Committee and auditors,
instituted additional procedures to enhance its internal controls and will
continue to develop additional controls and redesign work flow to strengthen the
overall control environment associated with the processing and recording of fund
expenses.
ITEM 10. EXHIBITS.
(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached
hereto as EX-99.CODE ETH.
(a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.CERT.
(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.906CERT.
Form N-CSR Item F
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: Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust
By: /s/Richard T. Hale
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Richard T. Hale
Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 16, 2004
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
Registrant: Scudder Strategic Municipal Income Trust
By: /s/Richard T. Hale
--------------------------------------------
Richard T. Hale
Chief Executive Officer
Date: January 16, 2004
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By: /s/Charles A. Rizzo
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Charles A. Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
Date: January 16, 2004
--------------------------------------------