nvcsr
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-6362
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Edward C. Wood III
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
 
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000
Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
Date of reporting period: 10/31/09
 
 

 


 

Item 1. Report to Shareholders.
 
The Trust’s annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:
 
ANNUAL REPORT
 
October 31, 2009
 
     
     
     
     
   
MUTUAL FUNDS

Van Kampen
Municipal Trust (VKQ)
     
    Privacy Notice information on the back.
     
     
     

  (VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO)
   
     


 

Welcome, Shareholder
 
In this report, you’ll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen Municipal Trust performed during the annual period. The portfolio management team will provide an overview of the market conditions and discuss some of the factors that affected investment performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the trust’s financial statements and a list of trust investments as of October 31, 2009.
 
 
Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the trust will achieve its investment objective. Trusts are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the trust will decline and that the value of the trust shares may therefore be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this trust.
 
Income may subject certain individuals to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
 
             
NOT FDIC INSURED
    OFFER NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
    NOT A DEPOSIT
             


 

Performance Summary as of 10/31/09 (Unaudited)
 
 
                         
Municipal Trust
Symbol: VKQ
Average Annual
    Based on
    Based on
Total Returns     NAV     Market Price
                         
Since Inception (9/27/91)       6.03 %         5.89 %  
                         
10-year       5.40           6.23    
                         
5-year       1.50           3.24    
                         
1-year       32.17           34.85    
 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit vankampen.com or speak with your financial advisor. Investment returns, net asset value (NAV) and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
 
NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Trust’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities and preferred shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the Trust at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an investment at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the end of the period. The Trust’s adviser has waived or reimbursed fees and expenses from time to time, absent such waivers/ reimbursements the Trust’s returns would have been lower. Periods of less than one year are not annualized.
 
The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, which has been shown in the Trust’s previous shareholder reports, changed its name to Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index as of November 3, 2008. The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is generally representative of investment-grade, tax exempt bonds. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
 
 
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Trust Report
For the 12-month period ended October 31, 2009
 
Market Conditions
 
The municipal bond market made a dramatic turnaround during the 12-month reporting period. Following the fourth quarter of 2008, one of the worst quarters on record for the municipal bond market and broad financial markets alike, the outlook for the economy and the markets gradually began to improve. Although the economy overall remained weak, certain economic indicators stabilized in early 2009, indicating that perhaps the contraction in growth might be slowing. At the same time, the various policies enacted by the federal government to provide liquidity and ease the stress on the financial system appeared to be taking hold as credit conditions became more favorable. Investors, encouraged by these improvements, began to take on more risk, sparking a rebound in market performance. Ongoing positive news on the corporate, banking and economic fronts in the ensuing months helped to sustain the rally throughout the remainder of the reporting period.
 
Renewed investor risk appetite led the higher-yielding, lower quality sector of the municipal market to outperform the investment-grade sector over the past several months, a dramatic reversal from the latter months of 2008. As a result, the high yield segment of the market slightly outperformed the investment grade segment for the overall 12-month reporting period, with the Barclays Capital High Yield Municipal Bond Index returning 14.53 percent versus 13.60 percent for the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index. Additionally, long-maturity bonds dramatically outperformed for the period, with the long end of the municipal yield curve outperforming the 10-year segment by approximately 800 basis points.
 
After experiencing net outflows for much of 2008, municipal bond funds enjoyed net inflows of approximately $60 billion year-to-date. Total new issue supply declined by 3 percent year-over-year to $332 billion. Issuance of taxable Build America Bonds has been displacing that of traditional tax-exempt municipal bonds. As a result, the supply of tax-exempt issues declined by 11 percent year-over-year to $265 billion as of the end of October 2009.
 
 
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Performance Analysis
 
The Trust’s return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Trust’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities and preferred shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding, while market price reflects the supply and demand for the shares. As a result, the two returns can differ, as they did during the reporting period. On both an NAV basis and a market price basis, the Trust outperformed the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).
 
Total return for the 12-month period ended October 31, 2009
 
                                       
    Based on
    Based on
    Barclays Capital
   
    NAV     Market Price     Municipal Bond Index    
                                       
      32.17 %         34.85 %         13.60 %      
 
 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Investment return, net asset value and common share market price will fluctuate and Trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See Performance Summary for additional performance information and index definition.
 
The Trust’s performance relative to the Index for the reporting period was primarily attributable to the following factors:
 
•  An overweight in lower quality bonds, particularly A and BBB rated issues, helped performance as these bonds have performed well, recovering from the extremely risk-averse environment of late 2008. Many of these holdings are in the health care and industrial development revenue/pollution control revenue (IDR/PCR) sectors.
 
•  A position in non-rated bonds, which are not represented in the Index, was additive to returns as spreads on these issues have tightened considerably from the historically wide levels reached last year.
 
•  With regard to the Trust’s yield-curve positioning, an overweight on the longer end of the curve was advantageous as longer maturity issues significantly outperformed shorter maturity issues for the reporting period.
 
•  The Trust’s housing bonds, which had an average credit rating of AA, and tobacco bonds also enhanced relative returns as strong demand drove prices in these sectors higher.
 
•  However, the Trust’s exposure to pre-refunded bonds held back relative performance as these high quality, short maturity issues underperformed for the period.
 
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has approved a procedure whereby the Trust may, when appropriate, repurchase its shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or NAV, whichever is lower at the time of purchase. This may help support the market value of the Trust’s shares.
 
 
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Market Outlook
 
While certain economic indicators are showing some stabilization, the outlook for the economy is uncertain particularly due to continued job market deterioration. In the near term, we expect somewhat volatile markets as investors develop a clearer view of economic fundamentals in the U.S. and abroad. Amid this uncertainty, we do not expect any move towards tighter monetary policy over the next several months. Longer term, we expect to see credit quality improve as the economy rebounds, leading to further credit spread tightening. However, now that municipal bond prices have returned to levels more reflective of historical averages, going forward we do not expect to see the same level of returns the municipal market has experienced year-to-date.
 
There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Trust in the future.
 
 
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Ratings Allocation as of 10/31/09 (Unaudited)
 
AAA/Aaa
    23.3 %
AA/Aa
    25.1  
A/A
    21.0  
BBB/Baa
    15.3  
BB/Ba
    1.3  
B/B
    0.1  
Non-Rated
    13.9  
         
         
Top Five Sectors as of 10/31/09 (Unaudited)
 
Hospital
    21.4 %
General Purpose
    9.9  
Airports
    6.5  
Bridge, Tunnel & Toll Road
    6.4  
Water & Sewer
    6.0  
         
         
Summary of Investments by State/Country Classification as of 10/31/09 (Unaudited)
 
California
    14.6 %
Illinois
    9.5  
Texas
    9.2  
New York
    8.0  
Florida
    7.6  
Ohio
    5.6  
New Jersey
    4.8  
Massachusetts
    2.7  
Arizona
    2.7  
Missouri
    2.4  
Nevada
    2.0  
Michigan
    2.0  
Wisconsin
    1.9  
Colorado
    1.8  
District of Columbia
    1.8  
South Carolina
    1.6  
Louisiana
    1.6  
Alabama
    1.6  
Tennessee
    1.5  
Washington
    1.4  
Indiana
    1.4  
Pennsylvania
    1.4  
North Carolina
    1.3  
Georgia
    1.2  
Kentucky
    1.0  
Kansas
    1.0  
Maryland
    0.9  
Minnesota
    0.8  
Virginia
    0.8  
Connecticut
    0.8  
West Virginia
    0.6  
Iowa
    0.6  
Puerto Rico
    0.5  
Alaska
    0.4  
Oklahoma
    0.4  
(continued on next page)
 
 
 
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Summary of Investments by State/Country Classification as of 10/31/09 (Unaudited)
(continued from previous page)
 
New Hampshire
    0.4  
New Mexico
    0.4  
North Dakota
    0.3  
Idaho
    0.3  
Nebraska
    0.3  
Wyoming
    0.3  
Oregon
    0.2  
Rhode Island
    0.1  
Vermont
    0.1  
Utah
    0.1  
Guam
    0.1  
         
Total Investments
    100.0 %
 
 
Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Ratings allocation and summary of investments by state/country classification are as a percentage of total investments. Sectors are as a percentage of total long-term investments. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global securities firm which is engaged in a wide range of financial services including, for example, securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively.
 
 
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Portfolio Management
 
Van Kampen Municipal Trust is managed by members of the Adviser’s Municipal Fixed Income team. The Municipal Fixed Income team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. The current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust’s portfolio are Thomas Byron, an Executive Director of the Adviser, Robert J. Stryker, an Executive Director of the Adviser, and Robert W. Wimmel, an Executive Director of the Adviser.
 
Mr. Byron has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1981 and began managing the Trust in September 2000. Mr. Stryker has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1994 and began managing the Trust in December 2009. Mr. Wimmel has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1996 and began managing the Trust in November 2001. All team members are responsible for the execution of the overall strategy of the Trust’s portfolio. The composition of the team may change from time to time.
 
Derivatives Policy
 
The Trust has amended and restated its policy on derivatives to permit it to invest in the derivative investments discussed below.
 
The Trust may use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based on the value of another underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying instrument and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying instrument, risks of default by the other party to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate, and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Trust to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable SEC rules and regulations, or may cause the Trust to be more volatile than if the Trust had not been leveraged. Although the Investment Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Trust’s investment objective, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.
 
Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Trust may use and their associated risks:
 
 
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Futures. A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specific price at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Futures contracts are bilateral agreements, with both the purchaser and the seller equally obligated to complete the transaction. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well conceived futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures can be highly volatile, using futures can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the Trust’s initial investment in such contracts.
 
Swaps. A swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indexes, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Most swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Trust’s obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. Swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. Therefore, swaps are subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Swaps could result in losses if interest rate or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Trust or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected.
 
Inverse Floaters. Inverse floating rate obligations are obligations which pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in market rates of interest. Because the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations is generally determined by subtracting a variable or floating rate from a predetermined amount, the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations will decrease as such variable or floating rate increases and increase as such variable or floating rate decreases. Like most other fixed-income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase. They are more volatile, however, than most other fixed-income securities because the coupon rate on an inverse floater typically changes at a multiple of the change in the relevant index rate. Thus, any rise in the index rate (as a consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a correspondingly greater drop in the coupon rate of an inverse floater while a drop in the index rate causes a correspondingly greater increase in the coupon of an inverse floater. Some inverse floaters may also increase or decrease substantially because of changes in the rate of prepayments.
 
Inverse Floating Rate Municipal Obligations. The inverse floating rate municipal obligations in which the Trust may invest include derivative instruments such as
 
 
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residual interest bonds (“RIBs”) or tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust that holds long-term fixed rate bonds and sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to third party investors, and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Trust. The short-term floating rate interests have first priority on the cash flow from the bond held by the special purpose trust and the Trust is paid the residual cash flow from the bond held by the special purpose trust.
 
Inverse floating rate investments are variable debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. Inverse floating rate investments tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Inverse floating rate investments have varying degrees of liquidity.
 
The Trust generally invests in inverse floating rate investments that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Trust to greater risks and increased costs. The market value of a “leveraged” inverse floating rate investment generally will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an unleveraged investment. The extent of increases and decreases in the value of inverse floating rate investments generally will be larger than changes in an equal principal amount of a fixed rate security having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, which may cause the Trust’s net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not invested in inverse floating rate investments.
 
In certain instances, the short-term floating rate interests created by the trust may not be able to be sold to third parties or, in the case of holders tendering (or putting) such interests for repayment of principal, may not be able to be remarketed to third parties. In such cases, the trust holding the long-term fixed rate bonds may be collapsed. In the case of floaters created by the Trust, the Trust will then be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered securities. During times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty, the Trust could be required to sell other portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time to raise cash to meet that obligation.
 
 
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For More Information About Portfolio Holdings
 
Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the trust’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Van Kampen also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders, and makes these reports available on its public Web site, www.vankampen.com. In addition to the semiannual and annual reports that Van Kampen delivers to shareholders and makes available through the Van Kampen public Web site, each fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust’s first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Van Kampen does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Van Kampen public Web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC’s Web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520.
 
You may obtain copies of a trust’s fiscal quarter filings by contacting Van Kampen Client Relations at (800) 341-2929.
 
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record
 
You may obtain a copy of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 341-2929 or by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. It is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
You may obtain information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 without charge by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
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Investment Advisory Agreement Approval
 
Both the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the terms of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement require that the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and its investment adviser be approved annually both by a majority of the Board of Trustees and by a majority of the independent trustees voting separately.
 
At meetings held on April 17, 2009 and May 20-21, 2009, the Board of Trustees, and the independent trustees voting separately, considered and ultimately determined that the terms of the investment advisory agreement are fair and reasonable and approved the continuance of the investment advisory agreement as being in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In making its determination, the Board of Trustees considered materials that were specifically prepared by the investment adviser at the request of the Board and Fund counsel, and by an independent provider of investment company data contracted to assist the Board, relating to the investment advisory agreement review process. The Board also considered information received periodically about the portfolio, performance, the investment strategy, portfolio management team and fees and expenses of the Fund. Finally, the Board considered materials it had received in connection with fee waivers currently in place for the Fund and materials it had received in connection with the share repurchase program currently in place for the Fund. The Board of Trustees considered the investment advisory agreement over a period of several months and the trustees held sessions both with the investment adviser and separate from the investment adviser in reviewing and considering the investment advisory agreement.
 
In approving the investment advisory agreement, the Board of Trustees considered, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the investment adviser, the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund compared to other similar funds and other products, the investment adviser’s expenses in providing the services and the profitability of the investment adviser and its affiliated companies. The Board of Trustees considered the extent to which any economies of scale experienced by the investment adviser are shared with the Fund’s shareholders, and the propriety of breakpoints in the Fund’s investment advisory fee schedule. The Board of Trustees considered comparative advisory fees of the Fund and other investment companies and/or other products at different asset levels, and considered the trends in the industry. The Board of Trustees evaluated other benefits the investment adviser and its affiliates derive from their relationship with the Fund. The Board of Trustees reviewed information about the foregoing factors and considered changes, if any, in such information since its previous approval. The Board of Trustees discussed the financial strength of the investment adviser and its affiliated companies and the capability of the personnel of the investment adviser, and specifically the strength and background of its portfolio management personnel. The Board of Trustees reviewed the statutory and regulatory requirements for approval and disclosure of investment advisory agreements. The Board of Trustees, including the independent trustees, evaluated all of the foregoing and does not believe any single factor or group of factors control or dominate the review process, and, after considering all factors together, has determined, in the exercise of its business
 
 
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judgment, that approval of the investment advisory agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. The following summary provides more detail on certain matters considered but does not detail all matters considered.
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided. On a regular basis, the Board of Trustees considers the roles and responsibilities of the investment adviser as a whole and those specific to portfolio management, support and trading functions servicing the Fund. The trustees discuss with the investment adviser the resources available and used in managing the Fund and changes made in the Fund’s portfolio management team and the Fund’s portfolio management strategy over time. The trustees also discuss certain other services which are provided on a cost-reimbursement basis by the investment adviser or its affiliates to the Van Kampen funds including certain accounting, administrative and legal services. The Board has determined that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the investment adviser support its decision to approve the investment advisory agreement.
 
Performance, Fees and Expenses of the Fund. On a regular basis, the Board of Trustees reviews the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund compared to its peers and to appropriate benchmarks. In addition, the Board spends more focused time on the performance of the Fund and other funds in the Van Kampen complex, paying specific attention to underperforming funds. The trustees discuss with the investment adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Fund. When considering a fund’s performance, the trustees and the investment adviser place emphasis on trends and longer-term returns (focusing on one-year, three-year and five-year performance with special attention to three-year performance) and, when a fund’s weighted performance is under the fund’s benchmark or peers, they discuss the causes and where necessary seek to make specific changes to investment strategy or investment personnel. The Fund discloses more information about its performance elsewhere in this report. The trustees discuss with the investment adviser the level of advisory fees for this Fund relative to comparable funds and other products advised by the adviser and others in the marketplace. The trustees review not only the advisory fees but other fees and expenses (whether paid to the adviser, its affiliates or others) and the Fund’s overall expense ratio. The Board has determined that the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund support its decision to approve the investment advisory agreement.
 
Investment Adviser’s Expenses in Providing the Service and Profitability. At least annually, the trustees review the investment adviser’s expenses in providing services to the Fund and other funds advised by the investment adviser and the profitability of the investment adviser. These profitability reports are put together by the investment adviser with the oversight of the Board. The trustees discuss with the investment adviser its revenues and expenses, including, among other things, revenues for advisory services, portfolio management-related expenses, revenue sharing arrangement costs and allocated expenses both on an aggregate basis and per fund. The Board has determined that the analysis of the investment adviser’s expenses and profitability support its decision to approve the investment advisory agreement.
 
 
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Economies of Scale. On a regular basis, the Board of Trustees considers the size of the Fund and how that relates to the Fund’s expense ratio and particularly the Fund’s advisory fee rate. In conjunction with its review of the investment adviser’s profitability, the trustees discuss with the investment adviser how more (or less) assets can affect the efficiency or effectiveness of managing the Fund’s portfolio and whether the advisory fee level is appropriate relative to current asset levels and/or whether the advisory fee structure reflects economies of scale as asset levels change. The Board has determined that its review of the actual and potential economies of scale of the Fund support its decision to approve the investment advisory agreement.
 
Other Benefits of the Relationship. On a regular basis, the Board of Trustees considers other benefits to the investment adviser and its affiliates derived from the investment adviser’s relationship with the Fund and other funds advised by the investment adviser. These benefits include, among other things, fees for transfer agency services provided to the funds, in certain cases research received by the adviser generated from commission dollars spent on funds’ portfolio trading, and in certain cases distribution or service related fees related to funds’ sales. The trustees review with the investment adviser each of these arrangements and the reasonableness of its costs relative to the services performed. The Board has determined that the other benefits received by the investment adviser or its affiliates support its decision to approve the investment advisory agreement.
 
 
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Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  October 31, 2009
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Municipal Bonds  166.5%
Alabama  2.6%
$ 2,150     Bessemer, AL Governmental Util Svc Corp Wtr Supply Rev Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000 %   06/01/39   $ 2,173,725  
  3,695     Gadsden, AL Wts, Ser B (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     08/01/21     4,059,475  
  1,300     Hlthcare Auth For Baptist Hlth AL, Ser A (b)     6.125     11/15/36     1,369,160  
  1,725     Huntsville-Redstone Vlg, AL Spl Care Fac Fin Auth Redstone Vlg Proj     5.500     01/01/43     1,264,201  
  4,000     Jefferson Cnty, AL Swr Rev Cap Impt Wts (FGIC Insd) (Prerefunded @ 8/01/12)     5.125     02/01/42     4,314,280  
                             
                          13,180,841  
                             
        Alaska  0.7%
  1,000     Matanuska-Susitna Boro, AK Ctf Partn Pub Safety Bldg Lease (FSA Insd)     5.750     03/01/16     1,015,580  
  3,870     Northern Tob Sec Corp AK Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A     5.000     06/01/46     2,571,615  
                             
                          3,587,195  
                             
        Arizona  4.5%
  1,425     Arizona Cap Fac Fin Corp Student Hsg Rev AZ St Univ Proj     6.250     09/01/32     1,333,045  
  1,700     Arizona St Trans Brd Hwy Rev, Ser B     5.000     07/01/25     1,837,649  
  2,545     Arizona St Trans Brd Hwy Rev, Ser B (a)     5.000     07/01/26     2,744,274  
  1,650     Glendale, AZ Indl Dev Auth Rfdg     5.000     12/01/35     1,487,854  
  2,000     Goodyear, AZ McDowell Rd Coml Corridor Impt Dist Impt (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     01/01/32     1,928,800  
  2,150     Maricopa Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Hlth Fac Rev Catholic Hlthcare West, Ser C (b)     5.000     07/01/38     2,274,421  
  1,225     Maricopa Cnty, AZ Pollutn Ctl Corp Pollutn Ctl Rev Rfdg AZ Pub Svc Co, Ser B (b)     5.500     05/01/29     1,275,458  
  625     Navajo Cnty, AZ Pollutn Ctl Corp Rev, Ser C (b)     5.500     06/01/34     646,506  
  715     Navajo Cnty, AZ Pollutn Ctl Corp Rev, Ser E (b)     5.750     06/01/34     732,174  
  2,300     Pima Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Wtr & Waste Wtr Rev Global Wtr Resh LLC Proj (AMT)     6.550     12/01/37     2,155,744  
  2,050     Salt Riv Proj AZ Agric Impt & Pwr Dist Elec Sys Rev, Ser A (a)     5.000     01/01/28     2,190,528  
  4,510     University of AZ Med Ctr Corp     5.000     07/01/35     4,120,607  
                             
                          22,727,060  
                             
        California  24.5%
  4,000     Anaheim, CA Pub Fin Auth Lease Rev Cap Apprec Sub Pub Impt Proj, Ser C (FSA Insd)     *       09/01/20     2,275,760  
  2,100     Bay Area Govt Assn CA Rev Tax Alloc CA Redev Pool, Ser A (Syncora Gtd)     5.250     09/01/35     1,842,036  
  4,000     Bay Area Toll Auth CA Toll Brdg Rev San Francisco Bay Area, Ser F-1     5.000     04/01/39     4,065,800  
  2,500     Bay Area Toll Auth CA Toll Brdg Rev San Francisco Bay Area, Ser F-1 (a)     5.000     04/01/34     2,560,288  
 
 
14
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        California (Continued)
$ 2,000     Bay Area Toll Auth CA Toll Brdg Rev San Francisco Bay Area, Ser F-1 (a)     5.000 %   04/01/39   $ 2,032,900  
  4,000     Bay Area Toll Auth CA Toll Brdg Rev San Francisco Bay Area, Ser F-1 (a)     5.125     04/01/39     4,118,840  
  800     Beverly Hills, CA Uni Sch Dist Cap Apprec 2008 Election     *       08/01/28     309,424  
  1,875     California Cnty, CA Tob Sec Agy Tob Asset Bkd Merced Cnty Rfdg, Ser A     5.250     06/01/45     1,273,031  
  1,000     California Hlth Fac Fin Auth Rev Catholic Hlthcare West, Ser A     6.000     07/01/34     1,054,670  
  3,000     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser G (AMT) (a)     4.950     08/01/23     2,811,735  
  2,000     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser G (AMT) (a)     5.050     02/01/29     1,812,160  
  6,000     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser I (AMT) (a)     4.800     08/01/36     4,992,180  
  3,150     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser K (AMT) (a)     5.300     08/01/23     3,065,816  
  3,700     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser K (AMT) (a)     5.450     08/01/28     3,536,534  
  1,000     California Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Solid Waste Disp Rev Waste Mgmt Inc Proj, Ser B (AMT)     5.000     07/01/27     946,030  
  510     California St (AMBAC Insd)     5.125     10/01/27     509,969  
  775     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/24     848,334  
  975     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/25     1,061,941  
  975     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/26     1,059,630  
  575     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/27     619,235  
  975     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/28     1,048,539  
  1,900     California St Econ Recovery Rfdg, Ser A     5.250     07/01/21     1,981,738  
  1,995     California St Pub Wks Brd UCLA Replacement Hosp, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.375     10/01/20     2,065,184  
  5,000     California St Univ Rev Sys Wide, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.000     11/01/23     5,096,200  
  1,150     California St Var Purp     5.750     04/01/31     1,183,638  
  2,615     California St Vet, Ser CD (AMT)     4.600     12/01/32     2,143,620  
  2,650     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Ctf Partn (Acquired 11/23/99, Cost $2,650,000) (c)     7.250     11/01/29     2,703,371  
  1,000     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Front Porch Cmnty & Svc, Ser A (d)     5.125     04/01/37     825,020  
  1,800     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Hlth Fac Adventist Hlth, Ser A     5.000     03/01/30     1,720,206  
 
 
15
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        California (Continued)
$ 1,685     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Hlth Fac Adventist Hlth, Ser A     5.000 %   03/01/35   $ 1,555,306  
  1,300     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Kaiser Permanente, Ser A     5.000     04/01/19     1,373,437  
  3,805     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Sutter Hlth, Ser A     5.000     11/15/43     3,509,694  
  445     Daly City, CA Hsg Dev Fin Agy Mobile Home Pk Rev Third Tier Franciscan Rfdg, Ser C     6.500     12/15/47     372,483  
  27,810     Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Rfdg     *       01/15/33     5,696,322  
  18,000     Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Rfdg (NATL Insd)     *       01/15/25     6,558,480  
  225     Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Sr Lien, Ser A (Prerefunded @ 1/01/10)     7.150     01/01/13     232,099  
  1,430     Golden St Tob Sec Corp CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd Sr, Ser A-1     4.500     06/01/27     1,239,495  
  7,655     Golden St Tob Sec Corp CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd Sr, Ser A-1     5.750     06/01/47     5,656,126  
  4,000     Golden St Tob Sec Corp CA Tob Settlement Rev Enhanced, Ser A     5.000     06/01/45     3,445,640  
  5,000     Golden St Tob Sec Corp CA Tob Settlement Rev Enhanced, Ser A (FGIC Insd)     5.000     06/01/35     4,445,450  
  1,000     Hesperia, CA Pub Fin Auth Rev Redev & Hsg Proj, Ser A (Syncora Gtd)     5.000     09/01/37     803,700  
  2,635     Imperial Irr Dist CA Ctf Partn Elec Sys Proj (FSA Insd)     5.250     11/01/23     2,723,694  
  1,000     Los Angeles, CA Hbr Dept Rev Rfdg, Ser C     5.000     08/01/31     1,033,460  
  1,200     Los Angeles, CA Uni Sch Dist, Ser D     5.000     07/01/22     1,287,912  
  2,500     Metropolitan Wtr Dist Southn CA Wtrwks Rev Auth, Ser A      5.000     01/01/34     2,580,575  
  155     Morongo Band of Mission Indians CA Enterprise Rev Indians Enterprise Casino, Ser B (d)     5.500     03/01/18     143,755  
  1,550     Quechan Indian Tribe Ft Yuma Indian Reservation CA & Govt Proj     7.000     12/01/27     1,216,936  
  1,600     Rancho Mirage, CA Jt Pwr Fin Auth Rev Eisenhower Med Ctr, Ser A     5.000     07/01/47     1,443,632  
  1,375     San Bernadino, CA Jt Pwr Fin Auth Alloc Rev Cent City Merged Proj Rfdg, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.750     07/01/20     1,434,496  
  1,200     San Francisco, CA City & Cnty Arpt Commn Intl Arpt Rfdg 2nd, Ser A-4 (AMT) (b)     6.500     05/01/19     1,295,724  
  1,000     San Joaquin Hills, CA Trans Corridor Agy Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd)     *       01/15/27     287,810  
  1,000     San Joaquin Hills, CA Trans Corridor Agy Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd)     *       01/15/28     268,660  
  4,290     Tobacco Sec Auth Northn CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A-1     5.375     06/01/38     3,371,983  
 
 
16
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        California (Continued)
$ 3,050     Tobacco Sec Auth Northn CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A-1     5.500 %   06/01/45   $ 2,160,437  
  3,200     Tobacco Sec Auth Southn CA Tob Settlement Sr, Ser A-1     5.000     06/01/37     2,410,016  
  8,350     Tobacco Sec Auth Southn CA Tob Settlement Sr, Ser A-1     5.125     06/01/46     5,532,627  
  2,100     Vernon, CA Elec Sys Rev, Ser A     5.125     08/01/21     2,160,585  
                             
                          123,804,363  
                             
        Colorado  2.9%
  425     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Hlth & Residential Care Fac Volunteers of Amer Care, Ser A     5.300     07/01/37     309,239  
  4,875     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Catholic Hlth, Ser C-5 (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     09/01/36     4,928,869  
  1,000     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Evangelical Lutheran, Ser A     5.250     06/01/34     944,610  
  3,700     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hlth Fac Evangelical Lutheran     5.000     06/01/35     3,353,310  
  1,125     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hosp Portercare Adventist Hlth (Prerefunded @ 11/15/11)     6.500     11/15/31     1,256,850  
  1,000     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Poudre Vly CO Hlth Fac Auth Hosp, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.200     03/01/31     1,010,670  
  100     Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (e)     9.000     09/01/12     121,363  
  340     Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (e)     11.500     09/01/10     370,848  
  220     Jefferson Cnty, CO Residential Mtg Rev (e)     11.500     09/01/11     261,840  
  970     Montezuma Cnty, CO Hosp Dist Hlth Fac Enterprise Hosp Rfdg (f)     5.900     10/01/37     770,684  
  1,000     Platte Riv Pwr Auth CO Pwr Rev, Ser HH     5.000     06/01/26     1,078,120  
                             
                          14,406,403  
                             
        Connecticut  1.3%
  4,225     Connecticut St Hsg Fin Auth Hsg Mtg Fin Pg Sub, Ser B-2 (AMT)     5.100     05/15/38     4,095,250  
  2,840     Connecticut St Spl Oblig Pkg Rev Bradley Intl Arpt, Ser A (ACA Insd) (AMT)     6.600     07/01/24     2,357,143  
                             
                          6,452,393  
                             
        District of Columbia  2.9%
  2,400     District Columbia Hosp Rev Sibley Mem Hosp     6.375     10/01/34     2,547,456  
  700     District Columbia Hosp Rev Sibley Mem Hosp     6.500     10/01/29     761,866  
  775     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Sub Lien Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/29     799,161  
  1,575     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Sub Lien Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/34     1,589,616  
  4,000     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Sub Lien, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.500     10/01/41     4,155,800  
 
 
17
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        District of Columbia (Continued)
$ 5,000     Metropolitan Washington DC Arpt Auth Sys, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.125 %   10/01/26   $ 5,027,350  
                             
                          14,881,249  
                             
        Florida  12.8%
  1,000     Alachua Cnty, FL Indl Dev Rev North FL Retirement Vlg     5.250     11/15/17     942,030  
  1,000     Alachua Cnty, FL Indl Dev Rev North FL Retirement Vlg     5.875     11/15/36     810,440  
  340     Beacon Lakes, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt, Ser A     6.000     05/01/38     258,607  
  250     Beacon Lakes, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt Sub, Ser B     6.200     05/01/38     180,102  
  2,970     Brevard Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Hlth First Inc Proj     5.000     04/01/34     2,665,189  
  1,335     Brevard Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Residential Care Fac Rev Buena Vida Estates Inc     6.750     01/01/37     1,162,158  
  3,380     Brevard Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Hlth First Inc Proj (NATL Insd)     5.125     04/01/31     3,189,030  
  400     Capital Tr Agy FL Rev Ft Lauderdale Proj (AMT)     5.750     01/01/32     285,448  
  380     Escambia Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev (AMBAC Insd)     5.950     07/01/20     387,817  
  5,000     Florida St Dept Trans Tpk Rev, Ser A (a)     5.000     07/01/29     5,138,675  
  1,895     Gulf Breeze, FL Rev Loc Govt (FGIC Insd) (b)     5.625     12/01/20     1,935,401  
  855     Highlands, FL Cmnty Dev Dist Spl Assmt     5.550     05/01/36     446,447  
  975     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Aviation Auth Rev, Ser A (AGL Insd) (AMT) (a)     5.375     10/01/33     980,792  
  2,175     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Aviation Auth Rev, Ser A (AGL Insd) (AMT) (a)     5.500     10/01/38     2,193,205  
  800     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Hillsborough Cnty IDA Rfdg (AMBAC Insd) (b)     5.000     12/01/34     829,992  
  800     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Tampa Elec, Ser B (b)     5.150     09/01/25     831,512  
  3,000     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Solid Waste & Res Recovery Rev, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT)     4.500     09/01/34     2,644,860  
  5,000     Lakeland, FL Hosp Sys Rev Lakeland Regl Hlth Sys Rfdg     5.000     11/15/26     4,882,250  
  5,000     Lakeland, FL Hosp Sys Rev Lakeland Regl Hlth Sys Rfdg     5.000     11/15/32     4,712,850  
  665     Main Str Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A (Acquired 2/19/08, Cost $665,000) (c)     6.800     05/01/38     497,560  
  425     Main Str Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser B (Acquired 2/19/08, Cost $425,000) (c)     6.900     05/01/17     370,668  
  1,515     Miami Beach, FL Stormwtr Rev (NATL Insd)     5.250     09/01/25     1,532,847  
  2,700     Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation Rev Miami Intl Arpt (AGC Insd) (AMT)     5.375     10/01/32     2,705,994  
  2,000     Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation Rev Miami Intl Arpt (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.375     10/01/25     2,011,420  
 
 
18
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Florida (Continued)
$ 5,000     Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation, Ser A (FSA Insd) (AMT)     5.125 %   10/01/35   $ 4,849,800  
  620     Midtown Miami, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt Rev, Ser A     6.000     05/01/24     521,718  
  700     Orange Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev First Mtg Orlando Lutheran Tower     5.500     07/01/32     542,157  
  930     Orange Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hlthcare Orlando Lutheran Rfdg     5.375     07/01/20     798,535  
  570     Overoaks, FL Cmnty Dev Dist Cap Impt Rev, Ser A (g)     6.125/2.000     05/01/35     307,726  
  1,100     Palm Beach Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev Wtrford Proj     5.875     11/15/37     952,446  
  2,600     Palm Beach Cnty, FL Solid Waste Auth Rev Impt (BHAC Insd) (a)     5.500     10/01/23     2,896,374  
  1,400     Port Saint Lucie, FL Spl Assmt Rev Southwest Annexation Dist, Ser 1-B (NATL Insd)     5.000     07/01/33     1,245,146  
  3,250     Putnam Cnty, FL Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Rfdg Seminole Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (b)     5.350     03/15/42     3,426,962  
  590     Reunion East Cmnty Dev Dist FL Spl Assmt     5.800     05/01/36     325,886  
  400     Seminole Tribe FL Spl Oblig Rev, Ser A (d)     5.250     10/01/27     361,616  
  500     Seminole Tribe FL Spl Oblig Rev, Ser A (d)     5.750     10/01/22     485,785  
  920     Seven Oaks, FL Cmnty Dev Dist II Spl Assmt Rev, Ser A     5.875     05/01/35     520,260  
  1,870     South Vlg Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A     5.700     05/01/35     1,140,681  
  800     Sterling Hill Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A     6.200     05/01/35     728,784  
  1,060     Tallahassee, FL Lease Rev FL St Univ Proj, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.500     08/01/18     1,098,849  
  200     Tolomato Cmnty, FL Dev Dist Spl Assmt     6.550     05/01/27     161,250  
  2,075     Tolomato Cmnty, FL Dev Dist Spl Assmt     6.650     05/01/40     1,590,716  
  1,000     Volusia Cnty, FL Ed Fac Auth Rev Ed Fac Embry Riddle Aero, Ser A     5.750     10/15/29     1,000,710  
  500     World Comm Cmnty Dev Dist FL Spl Assmt (g)     5.500/2.000     05/01/38     196,695  
                             
                          64,747,390  
                             
        Georgia  1.9%
  3,500     Atlanta, GA Arpt Passenger Fac Charge Rev Gen Sub Lien, Ser C (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     01/01/33     3,540,408  
  1,200     Atlanta, GA Wtr & Wastewtr Rev, Ser A     6.000     11/01/27     1,265,520  
  1,300     Atlanta, GA Wtr & Wastewtr Rev, Ser A     6.000     11/01/28     1,367,886  
  1,200     Atlanta, GA Wtr & Wastewtr Rev, Ser A     6.000     11/01/29     1,283,796  
  1,000     Augusta, GA Gen Arpt Rev Passenger, Ser B (AMT)     5.350     01/01/28     835,310  
 
 
19
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Georgia (Continued)
$ 1,500     Putnam Cnty, GA Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev GA Pwr Co, Ser 1     5.100 %   06/01/23   $ 1,527,045  
                             
                          9,819,965  
                             
        Idaho  0.5%
  750     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Saint Lukes Hlth Sys Proj, Ser A     6.500     11/01/23     839,993  
  1,000     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Saint Lukes Hlth Sys Proj, Ser A     6.750     11/01/37     1,097,500  
  845     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Vly Vista Care Corp Rfdg (f)     6.125     11/15/27     720,869  
                             
                          2,658,362  
                             
        Illinois  15.9%
  1,000     Bartlett, IL Tax Increment Rev Sr Lien Quarry Redev Proj Rfdg     5.600     01/01/23     776,000  
  2,000     Bolingbrook, IL Sales Tax Rev Bolingbrook     6.250     01/01/24     891,000  
  3,800     Chicago, IL Brd of Ed Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd)     5.000     12/01/27     3,928,820  
  3,975     Chicago, IL Brd of Ed Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     12/01/27     4,109,753  
  745     Chicago, IL Increment Alloc Rev Diversey Narragansett Proj     7.460     02/15/26     687,859  
  4,000     Chicago, IL Neighborhoods Alive 21 Pgm, Ser A (FGIC Insd) (Prerefunded @ 7/01/10)     5.750     01/01/40     4,184,880  
  5,000     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.375     01/01/32     4,730,400  
  3,500     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien, Ser A (AGC Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/24     3,664,780  
  11,500     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien, Ser A (AGC Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/25     11,990,878  
  4,000     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev, Ser A (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     01/01/33     4,034,460  
  485     Chicago, IL Pk Dist, Ser C (NATL Insd)     5.500     01/01/19     510,627  
  465     Chicago, IL Proj Rfdg, Ser C (NATL Insd)     5.500     01/01/40     470,203  
  3,100     Chicago, IL, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/25     3,354,138  
  80     Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107 (e)     7.000     12/01/10     85,760  
  545     Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107     7.000     12/01/10     582,234  
  120     Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107 (e)     7.200     12/01/09     120,718  
  455     Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No 107     7.200     12/01/09     457,607  
  982     Cortland, IL Spl Tax Rev Sheaffer Sys Proj (Acquired 5/02/06, Cost $972,180) (c)     5.500     03/01/17     586,038  
  1,000     Deerfield, IL Ed Fac Chicagoland Jewish High Sch Proj (f)     6.000     05/01/41     499,800  
  1,000     Gilberts, IL Spl Svc Area No 19 Spl Tax The Conservancy Proj, Ser 1 (f)     5.375     03/01/16     554,200  
  2,725     Illinois Dev Fin Auth Rev Cmnty Rehab Providers Fac, Ser A     7.375     07/01/25     2,797,921  
  1,565     Illinois Ed Fac Auth Rev DePaul Univ (AMBAC Insd) (Prerefunded @ 10/01/10)     5.625     10/01/15     1,655,034  
 
 
20
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Illinois (Continued)
$ 1,125     Illinois Fin Auth Hosp Rev Rfdg Kish Hlth Sys Oblig Group     5.500 %   10/01/22   $ 1,127,306  
  350     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Christian Homes Inc Rfdg, Ser A     5.750     05/15/31     263,928  
  1,000     Illinois Fin Auth Rev IL Fin Auth Roosevelt Univ     5.500     04/01/37     945,920  
  2,825     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Kewanee Hosp Proj     5.100     08/15/31     2,172,030  
  1,000     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Landing at Plymouth Pl Proj, Ser A     6.000     05/15/25     862,820  
  1,350     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Landing at Plymouth Pl Proj, Ser A     6.000     05/15/37     1,066,190  
  2,200     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Northwestn Mem Hosp, Ser A (a)     5.375     08/15/24     2,322,397  
  1,400     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Northwestn Mem Hosp, Ser A (a)     5.750     08/15/30     1,511,930  
  3,500     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Osf Hlthcare Sys, Ser A     5.750     11/15/37     3,504,340  
  1,250     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Riverside Hlth Sys     6.250     11/15/35     1,297,138  
  1,905     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Rush Univ Med Ctr Oblig Grp, Ser A     7.250     11/01/38     2,123,484  
  3,500     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Sherman Hlth Sys 2007, Ser A     5.500     08/01/37     3,202,920  
  1,055     Illinois Hlth Fac Auth Rev Evangelical Hosp Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd)     6.750     04/15/12     1,137,248  
  250     Lake Cnty, IL Cmnty Unit Sch Dist No 116 Round Lake (Radian Insd) (e)     7.600     02/01/14     308,335  
  2,675     Metropolitan Pier & Expo Auth IL Dedicated St Tax Rev McCormick Pl Expn, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.250     06/15/42     2,697,631  
  149     Pingree Grove Vlg, IL Spl Svc Area No 1 Spl Tax Cambridge Lakes Proj, Ser 05     5.250     03/01/15     130,524  
  848     Volo Vlg, IL Spl Svc Area No 3 Spl Tax Symphony Meadows Proj, Ser 1     6.000     03/01/36     611,976  
  675     Will Cnty, IL Cmnty Sch Dist No 161 Summit Hill Cap Apprec (FGIC Insd) (e)     *       01/01/16     557,975  
  425     Will Cnty, IL Cmnty Sch Dist No 161 Summit Hill Cap Apprec (FGIC Insd) (e)     *       01/01/19     302,847  
  1,335     Will Cnty, IL Cmnty Sch Dist No 161 Summit Hill Cap Apprec (NATL Insd)     *       01/01/16     1,017,550  
  990     Will Cnty, IL Cmnty Sch Dist No 161 Summit Hill Cap Apprec (NATL Insd)     *       01/01/19     619,413  
  525     Will-Kankakee Regl Dev Auth IL Multi-Family Hsg Rev Sr Estates Supportive Living (AMT)     7.000     12/01/42     450,366  
  991     Yorkville, IL Utd City Spl Svc Area Spl Tax No 2004-107 Raintree Vlg IL Proj     6.250     03/01/35     544,168  
  961     Yorkville, IL Utd City Spl Svc Area Tax No 2005-108 Autumn Creek IL Proj     6.000     03/01/36     674,949  
                             
                          80,126,495  
                             
 
 
21
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Indiana  2.3%
$ 1,000     Allen Cnty, IN Juvenile Just Ctr First Mtg (AMBAC Insd)     5.500 %   01/01/18   $ 1,074,830  
  1,440     Indiana Fin Auth Hosp Rev Deaconess Hosp Oblig, Ser A     6.750     03/01/39     1,541,693  
  5,600     Indiana Hlth & Ed Fac Fin Auth Rev Ascension Hlth Sr Cr B–6 (a)     5.000     11/15/36     5,587,596  
  1,600     Indiana St Fin Auth Environmental Fac Rev IN Pwr & LT Co Proj Rfdg, Ser A     4.900     01/01/16     1,656,704  
  1,500     Petersburg, IN Pollutn Ctl Rev IN Pwr & Lt (AMT)     5.950     12/01/29     1,411,290  
  500     Vigo Cnty, IN Hosp Auth Rev Un Hosp Inc (d)     5.750     09/01/42     388,740  
                             
                          11,660,853  
                             
        Iowa  1.0%
  600     Jefferson Cnty, IA Hosp Rev Jefferson Cnty Hosp Proj, Ser C     5.950     08/01/37     480,876  
  1,300     Pottawattamie Cnty, IA Rev Christian Homes Inc Rfdg, Ser E     5.750     05/15/26     1,013,337  
  325     Sibley, IA Hlthcare Fac Rev Osceola Cmnty Hosp Proj     6.000     12/01/37     260,881  
  1,375     Tobacco Settlement Auth IA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser C     5.375     06/01/38     1,010,212  
  1,500     Tobacco Settlement Auth IA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser C     5.500     06/01/42     1,094,130  
  1,850     Tobacco Settlement Auth IA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser C     5.625     06/01/46     1,360,250  
                             
                          5,219,686  
                             
        Kansas  1.7%
  1,400     Burlington, KS Environmental Impt Rev KC Pwr LT Rfdg, Ser B (Syncora Gtd) (b)     5.000     12/01/23     1,447,096  
  70     Cowley Cnty, KS Uni Sch Dist No 465 Winfield Impt & Rfdg (NATL Insd)     5.250     10/01/22     75,536  
  3,500     Kansas St Dev Fin Auth Hosp Rev Adventist Hlth     5.750     11/15/38     3,610,320  
  2,000     Manhattan, KS Hlthcare Fac Rev Meadowlark Hills Retirement, Ser A     5.000     05/15/24     1,611,940  
  1,200     Manhattan, KS Hlthcare Fac Rev Meadowlark Hills Retirement, Ser A     5.000     05/15/36     844,044  
  700     Olathe, KS Sr Living Fac Rev Catholic Care Campus Inc, Ser A     6.000     11/15/38     575,764  
  400     Overland Pk, KS Dev Corp Rev First Tier Overland Pk, Ser A (Prerefunded @ 1/01/11)     7.375     01/01/32     434,384  
                             
                          8,599,084  
                             
        Kentucky  1.7%
  1,500     Kentucky Econ Dev Fin Auth Louisville Arena Proj Rev Louisville Arena Sub, Ser A-1 (AGL Insd)     5.750     12/01/28     1,610,160  
  1,610     Kentucky St Ppty & Bldg Commn Rev Rfdg Proj No 93 (AGL Insd)     5.250     02/01/24     1,745,852  
 
 
22
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Kentucky (Continued)
$ 1,815     Kentucky St Ppty & Bldg Commn Rev Rfdg Proj No 93 (AGL Insd)     5.250 %   02/01/25   $ 1,959,601  
  3,545     Louisville & Jefferson Cnty, KY Metro Govt Hlth Sys Rev Norton Hlthcare Inc     5.250     10/01/36     3,416,281  
                             
                          8,731,894  
                             
        Louisiana  2.7%
  989     Lakeshore Vlg Master Cmnty Dev Dist LA Spl Assmt     5.250     07/01/17     809,180  
  1,340     Louisiana Hsg Fin Agy Rev Azalea Estates Rfdg, Ser A (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     5.375     10/20/39     1,347,303  
  1,675     Louisiana Loc Govt Environmental Fac Pkg Fac Corp Garage Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.200     10/01/19     1,681,348  
  2,000     Louisiana St Ctzn Ppty Ins Corp Assmt Rev, Ser C-2 (AGL Insd)     6.750     06/01/26     2,310,980  
  5,728     Louisiana St Univ & Agric & Mechanical College Univ Rev Master Agreement (Acquired 11/30/98, Cost $5,727,885) (c) (f)     5.750     10/30/18     5,244,968  
  2,000     Rapides Fin Auth LA Rev Cleco Pwr Proj (AMT) (b)     5.250     11/01/37     2,063,620  
                             
                          13,457,399  
                             
        Maryland  1.5%
  750     Gaithersburg, MD Econ Dev Rev Asbury MD Oblig Group A     5.125     01/01/36     605,835  
  1,300     Maryland St Cmnty Dev Admin Dept Hsg & Cmnty Dev, Ser H (AMT)     5.100     09/01/37     1,280,890  
  1,000     Maryland St Econ Dev Corp Rev Sr Lien Chesapeake Bay Rfdg, Ser A     5.000     12/01/31     605,760  
  500     Maryland St Hlth & Higher Ed Fac Auth Rev King Farm Presbyterian Cmnty, Ser A     5.250     01/01/27     401,790  
  2,000     Maryland St Hlth & Higher Ed Fac Auth Rev Mercy Med Ctr, Ser A     5.500     07/01/42     1,926,520  
  1,700     Maryland St Trans Auth Arpt Baltimore/WA Intl Arpt, Ser B (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.125     03/01/24     1,655,290  
  1,175     Prince Georges Cnty, MD Spl Oblig Natl Harbor Proj      5.200     07/01/34     956,086  
                             
                          7,432,171  
                             
        Massachusetts  4.5%
  2,765     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Proj, Ser R-2 (NATL Insd)      5.125     02/01/34     2,553,782  
  580     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Rev Boston Architectural Ctr (ACA Insd)     6.100     09/01/18     546,691  
  1,000     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Rev Boston Architectural Ctr (ACA Insd)     6.250     09/01/28     852,540  
  500     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Rev Linden Ponds Inc Fac, Ser A     5.750     11/15/35     359,935  
 
 
23
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Massachusetts (Continued)
$ 500     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Rev Linden Ponds Inc Fac, Ser A     5.750 %   11/15/42   $ 346,530  
  500     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Bal Structured Ylg, Ser G (NATL Insd) (b)     5.000     07/01/13     500,585  
  4,500     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Harvard Univ, Ser B (a)     5.000     10/01/38     4,741,808  
  750     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev MA Inst Tech, Ser A     5.000     07/01/38     789,202  
  35     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Partn Hlthcare Sys, Ser C     5.750     07/01/32     36,024  
  465     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Partn Hlthcare Sys, Ser C (Prerefunded @ 7/01/11)     5.750     07/01/32     508,947  
  3,350     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Univ MA Mem Issue, Ser D     5.000     07/01/33     2,948,368  
  4,670     Massachusetts St Sch Bldg Auth Dedicated Sales Tax Rev, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (a)     4.500     08/15/35     4,568,568  
  2,650     Massachusetts St Sch Bldg Auth Dedicated Sales Tax Rev, Ser A (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     08/15/30     2,741,306  
  1,200     Massachusetts St Wtr Res Auth, Ser B     5.000     08/01/22     1,324,608  
                             
                          22,818,894  
                             
        Michigan  3.4%
  3,860     Detroit, MI, Ser A (Syncora Gtd)     5.250     04/01/21     3,180,563  
  2,715     Detroit, MI Sew Disp Rev Rfdg Sr Lien, Ser C-1 (FSA Insd)     7.000     07/01/27     3,318,653  
  1,430     Detroit, MI Wtr Supply Sys Rfdg Second Lien, Ser C (FSA Insd)     5.000     07/01/26     1,449,319  
  875     Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Spectrum Hlth, Ser A (b)     5.250     01/15/47     930,869  
  400     Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Spectrum Hlth, Ser A (b)     5.500     01/15/47     428,904  
  155     Michigan St Hsg Dev Rent Hsg Rev, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.300     10/01/37     154,769  
  1,500     Michigan St Strategic Fd Ltd Oblig Rev Detroit Edison Co Proj Rfdg, Ser C (Syncora Gtd) (AMT)     5.450     12/15/32     1,395,660  
  8,230     Michigan Tob Settlement Fin Auth Tob Settlement Asset Sr, Ser A     6.000     06/01/48     6,286,979  
                             
                          17,145,716  
                             
        Minnesota  1.4%
  475     Chisago, MN Hlthcare Fac Rev CDL Homes LLC Proj     6.000     08/01/42     436,910  
  1,000     Inver Grove Heights, MN Presbyterian Homes Care Rfdg     5.500     10/01/41     777,360  
  1,850     Minneapolis, MN Hlthcare Sys Rev Fairview Hlth Svc, Ser A     6.375     11/15/23     2,067,412  
  1,200     Minneapolis, MN Hlthcare Sys Rev Fairview Hlth Svc, Ser A     6.625     11/15/28     1,354,392  
 
 
24
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Minnesota (Continued)
$ 200     North Oaks, MN Sr Hsg Rev Presbyterian Homes North Oaks     6.000 %   10/01/27   $ 180,496  
  500     North Oaks, MN Sr Hsg Rev Presbyterian Homes North Oaks     6.000     10/01/33     432,485  
  1,850     Saint Paul, MN Hsg & Redev Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Hlth Partners Oblig Grp Proj     5.250     05/15/36     1,666,850  
                             
                          6,915,905  
                             
        Missouri  3.5%
  160     Cape Girardeau Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Southeast MO Hosp Assoc     5.625     06/01/27     154,198  
  1,000     Carthage, MO Hosp Rev     5.875     04/01/30     834,620  
  2,250     Carthage, MO Hosp Rev     6.000     04/01/38     1,781,122  
  1,300     Cass Cnty, MO Hosp Rev     5.625     05/01/38     1,135,134  
  1,400     Ellisville, MO Indl Dev Auth Rev Gambrill Gardens Proj Impt & Rfdg (f)     6.100     06/01/20     1,262,198  
  1,000     Ellisville, MO Indl Dev Auth Rev Gambrill Gardens Proj Impt & Rfdg (f)     6.200     06/01/29     870,240  
  385     Fenton, MO Tax Increment Rev & Impt Gravois Bluffs Proj Rfdg (Prerefunded @ 10/01/11)     7.000     10/01/21     431,277  
  1,000     Joplin, MO Indl Dev Auth Indl Rev Christian Homes Inc Rfdg, Ser F     5.750     05/15/31     754,080  
  1,000     Kearney, MO (AMBAC Insd)     5.500     03/01/16     1,055,120  
  815     Maryland Heights, MO Tax Increment Rev South Heights Redev Proj Rfdg, Ser A     5.500     09/01/18     772,840  
  1,200     Missouri St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Sr Living Fac Lutheran Rfdg, Ser B     5.125     02/01/27     1,087,992  
  1,000     Saint Charles, MO Ctf Partn, Ser B     5.500     05/01/18     1,033,380  
  675     Saint Louis Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Saint Andrews Res for Srs, Ser A     6.375     12/01/30     574,958  
  1,500     Saint Louis Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Saint Andrews Res for Srs, Ser A     6.375     12/01/41     1,239,900  
  625     Saint Louis, MO Indl Dev Auth Tax Increment & Cmnty Impt Dist Loughborough Com Redev Rfdg     5.750     11/01/27     531,563  
  2,350     Springfield, MO Pub Bldg Corp Leasehold Rev Springfield Branson Arpt, Ser B (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     4.550     07/01/29     2,129,218  
  2,625     Springfield, MO Pub Bldg Corp Leasehold Rev Springfield Branson Arpt, Ser B (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     4.600     07/01/36     2,278,526  
                             
                          17,926,366  
                             
        Nebraska  0.5%
  2,620     Omaha Pub Pwr Dist NE Elec Rev Sys, Ser A (a)     5.000     02/01/34     2,655,842  
                             
         
        Nevada  3.4%
  4,000     Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev Southwest Gas Corp Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.250     07/01/34     3,625,480  
 
 
25
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Nevada (Continued)
$ 75     Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev Southwest Gas Corp Proj, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT)     4.750 %   09/01/36   $ 64,344  
  5     Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Mtg Mezz, Ser D2 (AMT)     6.300     04/01/21     5,072  
  2,540     Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Mtg Rev, Ser A (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     5.875     04/01/38     2,650,287  
  2,860     Nevada St Cap Impt & Cultural Affairs, Ser C (a)     5.000     06/01/22     3,064,948  
  2,220     Nevada St Cap Impt & Cultural Affairs, Ser C (a)     5.000     06/01/23     2,364,966  
  1,570     Reno, NV Cap Impt Rev (NATL Insd) (Prerefunded @ 6/01/12)     5.125     06/01/26     1,731,003  
  930     Reno, NV Cap Impt Rev (NATL Insd)     5.125     06/01/26     876,878  
  3,100     Reno, NV Hosp Rev Renown Regl Med Ctr Proj, Ser A     5.250     06/01/37     2,780,514  
                             
                          17,163,492  
                             
        New Hampshire  0.6%
  1,525     New Hampshire Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Derryfield Sch (Prerefunded @ 7/01/10)     6.750     07/01/20     1,614,426  
  250     New Hampshire Hlth & Ed Fac Hlthcare Sys Covenant Hlth     5.500     07/01/34     246,328  
  700     New Hampshire St Business Fin Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Utd Illum Co Proj (AMT) (b)     7.125     07/01/27     749,112  
  500     New Hampshire St Business Fin Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Utd Illum, Ser A (AMT) (b)     6.875     12/01/29     538,015  
                             
                          3,147,881  
                             
        New Jersey  8.0%
  375     Burlington Cnty, NJ Brdg Cmnty Econ Dev Rev The Evergreens Proj     5.625     01/01/38     310,320  
  1,000     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Econ Dev Rev Kapkowski Rd Landfill Proj Rfdg     5.750     04/01/31     753,760  
  615     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Cig Tax     5.750     06/15/34     585,443  
  25,000     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth St Contract Econ Recovery (NATL Insd) (f)     5.900     03/15/21     30,368,750  
  2,600     New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Holy Name Hosp     5.000     07/01/36     2,299,986  
  1,450     New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Saint Peter’s Univ Hosp Oblig     5.750     07/01/37     1,414,591  
  580     New Jersey St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev, Ser C (FSA Insd)     6.500     01/01/16     698,239  
  1,000     New Jersey St Trans Tr Fd Auth Trans Sys, Ser A     5.750     06/15/18     1,153,420  
  4,570     Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp NJ, Ser 1A     5.000     06/01/41     3,084,019  
                             
                          40,668,528  
                             
        New Mexico  0.6%
  1,500     Jicarilla, NM Apache Nation Rev Adj, Ser A (Acquired 1/23/03, Cost $1,514,910) (c)     5.000     09/01/18     1,553,730  
 
 
26
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        New Mexico (Continued)
$ 1,350     New Mexico St Hosp Equip Ln Council Hosp Rev Presbyterian Hlthcare Svc, Ser A (a)     6.375 %   08/01/32   $ 1,478,763  
                             
                          3,032,493  
                             
        New York  13.4%
  3,000     Metropolitan Trans Auth NY Rev Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd)      5.250     11/15/31     3,038,550  
  1,000     Metropolitan Transn Auth NY Dedicated Tax Fd, Ser B     5.250     11/15/28     1,065,870  
  1,500     Metropolitan Transn Auth NY Dedicated Tax Fd, Ser B     5.250     11/15/30     1,583,850  
  1,600     New York City Hsg Dev Corp Multi-Family Hsg Rev, Ser E1 (AMT)     5.350     11/01/37     1,606,192  
  400     New York City Indl Dev Agy Rev Liberty 7 World Trade Ctr Proj, Ser A     6.250     03/01/15     399,276  
  2,000     New York City Indl Dev Agy Rev Liberty 7 World Trade Ctr Proj, Ser B     6.750     03/01/15     2,017,320  
  1,000     New York City Liberty Dev Corp Rev Natl Sports Museum Proj, Ser A (Acquired 8/07/06, Cost $1,000,000) (c) (f) (h)     6.125     02/15/19     100  
  2,500     New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr & Swr Rev, Ser AA (a)     5.000     06/15/22     2,720,113  
  8,800     New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr & Swr Sys Rev, Ser D (a)     5.000     06/15/38     8,963,548  
  2,500     New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr & Swr Sys Rev, Ser D (a)     5.000     06/15/39     2,546,463  
  85     New York City, Ser A-1     5.750     08/01/12     85,340  
  3,000     New York City, Ser G     5.000     12/01/27     3,083,880  
  4,775     New York City, Ser I-1 (a)     5.000     02/01/26     4,998,088  
  3,400     New York City Transitional Fin Auth Bldg Aid Rev Fiscal 2009, Ser S-3     5.250     01/15/39     3,538,210  
  6,800     New York St Dorm Auth Rev City Univ Sys Cons, Ser A     5.625     07/01/16     7,479,252  
  3,000     New York St Dorm Auth Rev Non St Supported Sch Dist Fin Prog, Ser C (AGL Insd)      5.000     10/01/23     3,230,820  
  1,000     New York St Mtg Agy Homeowner Mtg Rev 145 (AMT)     5.125     10/01/37     980,310  
  1,800     New York St Twy Auth St Pers Income Tax Rev Trans, Ser A (a)     5.000     03/15/26     1,945,350  
  2,000     New York St Twy Auth St Pers Income Tax Rev Trans, Ser A (a)     5.000     03/15/27     2,150,130  
  1,870     Plainedge, NY Uni Free Sch Dist No. 2063 (Acquired 7/25/97, Cost $1,870,214) (c)     6.000     06/01/12     1,890,450  
  9,900     Port Auth NY & NJ Cons 144th (a)     5.000     10/01/35     10,114,434  
  600     Seneca Nation Indians Cap Impt Auth NY Spl Oblig, Ser A (d)     5.000     12/01/23     496,254  
 
 
27
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        New York (Continued)
$ 3,000     Triborough Brdg & Tunl Auth Gen Purp, Ser A     5.000 %   01/01/27   $ 3,050,970  
  1,000     Westchester Tob Asset Sec Corp NY     5.000     06/01/26     905,560  
                             
                          67,890,330  
                             
        North Carolina  1.9%
  900     North Carolina Med Care Commn Retirement Fac Rev First Mtg Southminster Proj, Ser A     5.750     10/01/37     786,492  
  8,300     North Carolina Muni Pwr Agy No 1 Catawba Elec Rev Rfdg (NATL Insd)     6.000     01/01/12     9,019,610  
                             
                          9,806,102  
                             
        North Dakota  0.6%
  1,500     Grand Forks, ND Sr Hsg Rev 4000 Vly Square Proj Rfdg     5.300     12/01/34     1,081,710  
  2,000     Ward Cnty, ND Hlthcare Fac Rev Trinity Obligated Group Rfdg      5.125     07/01/29     1,867,120  
                             
                          2,948,830  
                             
        Ohio  9.5%
  300     Adams Cnty Hosp Fac Impt Rev Adams Cnty Hosp Proj (f)     6.250     09/01/20     243,225  
  3,190     Buckeye, OH Tob Settlement Fin Auth Asset Bkd Sr Turbo, Ser A-2     5.750     06/01/34     2,682,630  
  3,630     Buckeye, OH Tob Settlement Fin Auth Asset Bkd Sr Turbo, Ser A-2     5.875     06/01/30     3,159,443  
  1,825     Cleveland, OH Rfdg (FSA Insd)     5.500     10/01/19     2,121,964  
  400     Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hlthcare & Indpt Living Fac Rev Eliza Jennings Sr Care, Ser A     5.750     05/15/27     333,152  
  1,000     Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Rev Canton Inc Proj     7.500     01/01/30     1,017,740  
  1,000     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Catholic Hlthcare, Ser S     5.375     10/01/30     1,001,690  
  1,475     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Fac Catholic Rfdg, Ser C-1 (FSA Insd)     5.000     04/01/24     1,508,881  
  2,270     Montgomery Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Kettering Med Ctr Impt & Rfdg (NATL Insd)     6.250     04/01/20     2,646,820  
  1,625     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Catholic Hlth, Ser C-1 (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/41     1,622,059  
  1,550     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Miami Vly Hosp, Ser A     6.000     11/15/28     1,630,259  
  1,000     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Miami Vly Hosp, Ser A     6.250     11/15/39     1,045,560  
  8,000     Ohio St Air Quality Dev Auth Rev Dayton Pwr (FGIC Insd) (AMT) (a)     4.800     09/01/36     7,960,080  
  1,500     Ohio St Air Quality Dev Auth Rev Pollutn Ctl First Energy Rfdg, Ser C     5.625     06/01/18     1,588,995  
  1,250     Ohio St Bldg Auth St Fac Admin Bldg Fd Proj, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.000     04/01/22     1,317,175  
 
 
28
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Ohio (Continued)
$ 1,000     Ohio St Higher Ed Fac Commn Rev Hosp Univ Hosp Hlth Sys Inc, Ser A (BHAC Insd)     5.250 %   01/15/46   $ 1,025,240  
  2,000     Ohio St Higher Ed Fac Commn Rev Univ Hosp Hlth Sys, Ser 2009A     6.750     01/15/39     2,145,300  
  4,000     Ohio St Hosp Fac Rev Cleveland Clinic Hlth, Ser B (a)     5.125     01/01/28     4,086,340  
  1,000     Ohio St Hosp Fac Rev Cleveland Clinic Hlth, Ser B (a)     5.500     01/01/34     1,040,080  
  2,565     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser D (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT) (a)     5.300     09/01/28     2,613,260  
  3,360     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser D (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT) (a)     5.400     03/01/33     3,416,112  
  2,520     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser F (GNMA Collateralized) (a)     5.500     09/01/39     2,604,861  
  1,000     Ohio St Wtr Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Fac Rev Rfdg First Energy, Ser A (b)     5.875     06/01/33     1,052,720  
                             
                          47,863,586  
                             
        Oklahoma  0.7%
  1,470     Chickasaw Nation, OK Hlth Sys (d)     6.250     12/01/32     1,450,464  
  1,240     Kay Cnty, OK Home Fin Auth Rev Single Family Mtg Rfdg, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (e)     7.000     11/01/11     1,388,688  
  455     Oklahoma Hsg Fin Agy Single Family Rev Mtg (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     7.997     08/01/18     492,233  
                             
                          3,331,385  
                             
        Oregon  0.3%
  1,500     Multnomah Cnty, OR Hosp Fac Auth Rev Adventist Hlth/West, Ser A     5.125     09/01/40     1,455,795  
                             
         
        Pennsylvania  2.3%
  1,750     Allegheny Cnty, PA Hosp Dev Auth Rev Hlth Sys West PA, Ser A     5.000     11/15/28     1,394,190  
  385     Allegheny Cnty, PA San Auth Swr Rev (NATL Insd)      5.500     12/01/30     392,153  
  315     Crawford Cnty, PA Hosp Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Wesbury Utd Methodist Cmnty     5.875     08/15/10     315,321  
  320     Lehigh Cnty, PA Gen Purp Auth Rev First Mtg Bible Fellowship Proj Rfdg, Ser A (f)     5.300     12/15/09     320,237  
  240     Lehigh Cnty, PA Gen Purp Auth Rev First Mtg Bible Fellowship Proj Rfdg, Ser A (f)     5.400     12/15/10     238,649  
  400     Montgomery Cnty, PA Indl Dev Auth Rev Mtg Whitemarsh Continuing Care Proj     6.125     02/01/28     289,632  
  875     Montgomery Cnty, PA Indl Dev Auth Rev Mtg Whitemarsh Continuing Care Proj     6.250     02/01/35     618,056  
  1,000     Pennsylvania Econ Dev Fin Auth Exempt Fac Rev Reliant Energy, Ser B (AMT)     6.750     12/01/36     1,023,270  
  1,550     Pennsylvania Hsg Fin Agy, Ser 94-A (AMT)     5.100     10/01/31     1,556,215  
 
 
29
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Pennsylvania (Continued)
$ 1,825     Pennsylvania St Tpk Com Tpk Rev Sub, Ser A (AGL Insd)     5.000 %   06/01/39   $ 1,782,496  
  1,000     Philadelphia, PA Auth Indl Dev PA Arpt Sys Proj, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.125     07/01/19     1,004,130  
  2,675     Pittsburgh, PA, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.500     09/01/17     2,717,506  
                             
                          11,651,855  
                             
        Rhode Island  0.2%
  1,375     Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp, Ser A     6.250     06/01/42     1,249,724  
                             
         
        South Carolina  2.7%
  1,000     Charleston Ed Excellence Fin Corp SC Rev Charleston Cnty Sch Dist (a)     5.250     12/01/25     1,042,805  
  3,000     Charleston Ed Excellence Fin Corp SC Rev Charleston Cnty Sch Dist (a)     5.250     12/01/26     3,124,995  
  475     Rock Hill, SC Util Sys Rev Comb Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd)     5.125     01/01/13     482,932  
  1,235     Rock Hill, SC Util Sys Rev Comb Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd)     5.250     01/01/15     1,255,847  
  900     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Hlth Fac Rev First Mtg Wesley Commons Rfdg     5.125     10/01/26     716,328  
  1,000     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Hlth Fac Rev First Mtg Wesley Commons Rfdg     5.300     10/01/36     733,280  
  1,960     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Hosp Fac Rev Palmetto Hlth Alliance Rfdg, Ser A     6.250     08/01/31     1,991,791  
  2,500     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Indl Rev Elec & Gas Co Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.200     11/01/27     2,567,000  
  1,000     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Rev & Impt Palmetto Hlth Rfdg     5.750     08/01/39     980,350  
  725     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Rev Woodlands at Furman Proj, Ser A     6.000     11/15/27     561,984  
  340     Tobacco Settlement Rev Mgmt Auth SC Tob Settlement Rev Rfdg     5.000     06/01/18     340,112  
                             
                          13,797,424  
                             
        Tennessee  2.5%
  400     Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Hosp First Mtg Impt & Rfdg, Ser B (Prerefunded @ 7/01/12)     8.000     07/01/33     458,576  
  4,000     Johnson City, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Hosp Rev First Mtg Mtn St Hlth Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd) (Prerefunded @ 7/01/12)     7.500     07/01/25     4,537,280  
  3,000     Johnson City, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Hosp Rev First Mtg Mtn St Hlth, Ser A     5.500     07/01/36     2,913,990  
  2,650     Shelby Cnty, TN Hlth Ed & Hsg Fac Brd Rev Methodist, Ser B (FSA Insd) (a)     5.250     09/01/27     2,736,483  
 
 
30
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Tennessee (Continued)
$ 1,500     Shelby Cnty, TN Hlth Ed & Hsg Fac Brd Rev Trezevant Manor Proj, Ser A     5.625 %   09/01/26   $ 1,410,810  
  365     Tennessee Hsg Dev Agy Home Ownership Pgm 2-A (AMT)     5.700     07/01/31     366,226  
                             
                          12,423,365  
                             
        Texas  15.5%
  1,575     Alliance Arpt Auth Inc TX Spl Fac Rev FedEx Corp Proj Rfdg (AMT)     4.850     04/01/21     1,504,912  
  1,250     Austin, TX Convention Enterprises Inc Convention Ctr Second Tier Rfdg, Ser B (d)     5.750     01/01/24     1,033,350  
  1,000     Brazos Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Oblig Grp     5.375     01/01/32     937,790  
  1,000     Brazos Riv TX Hbr Nav Dist Brazoria Cnty Rev Rfdg Dow Chemical Co     5.250     10/01/11     1,011,610  
  740     Dallas Cnty, TX Flood Ctl Dist Rfdg     6.750     04/01/16     786,650  
  1,225     Dallas, TX Civic Ctr Rfdg & Impt (AGL Insd)     5.000     08/15/18     1,320,158  
  1,440     Dallas, TX Civic Ctr Rfdg & Impt (AGL Insd)     5.000     08/15/19     1,547,179  
  1,000     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Impt & Rfdg, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT)     5.500     11/01/31     1,005,630  
  700     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser C (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.750     11/01/18     700,749  
  1,325     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser C (NATL Insd) (AMT)     6.000     11/01/23     1,326,140  
  5,250     El Paso Cnty, TX Hosp Dist, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     08/15/37     5,335,549  
  730     Fort Worth, TX Wtr & Swr Rev Impt & Rfdg     5.750     02/15/16     758,382  
  770     Fort Worth, TX Wtr & Swr Rev Impt & Rfdg (Prerefunded @ 8/15/10)     5.750     02/15/16     803,156  
  1,000     Gulf Coast Waste Disp Auth TX Waste Mgmt, Ser D (AMT)     4.550     04/01/12     1,000,190  
  825     Harris Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev Rfdg Mem Hermann Hlthcare Sys, Ser B     7.250     12/01/35     925,229  
  1,000     Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Sub Lien, Ser A (FSA Insd) (AMT)     5.625     07/01/30     1,002,160  
  130     Houston, TX Pub Impt & Rfdg (FSA Insd)     5.750     03/01/15     135,503  
  8,475     Houston, TX Util Sys Rev Comb First Lien Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.000     11/15/36     8,649,161  
  3,320     Judson, TX Indpt Sch Dist Sch Bldg (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     02/01/37     3,376,291  
  1,100     Lufkin, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hlth Sys Rev Mem Hlth Sys East TX      5.500     02/15/32     985,578  
  1,250     Lufkin, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hlth Sys Rev Mem Hlth Sys East TX      5.500     02/15/37     1,096,875  
  1,250     Matagorda Cnty, TX Navig Dist No 1 Rev Coll Centerpoint Energy Proj Rfdg (b)     5.600     03/01/27     1,254,575  
  1,200     McLennan Cnty, TX Pub Fac Corp Proj Rev     6.625     06/01/35     1,309,056  
 
 
31
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Texas (Continued)
$ 1,000     Mesquite, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Retirement Fac Christian Care Ctr, Ser A (Prerefunded @ 2/15/10)     7.625 %   02/15/28   $ 1,030,740  
  1,800     Metropolitan Hlth Fac Dev Corp TX Wilson N Jones Mem Hosp Proj     7.250     01/01/31     1,703,250  
  1,500     Mission, TX Econ Dev Corp Solid Waste Disp Rev Waste Mgmt Inc Proj (AMT) (b)     6.000     08/01/20     1,595,940  
  4,000     North Central, TX Hlth Fac Dev Hosp Childrens Med Ctr Dallas (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     08/15/32     4,018,760  
  1,000     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     5.625     01/01/28     1,025,910  
  1,000     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     6.000     01/01/26     1,058,750  
  1,250     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     6.000     01/01/27     1,317,463  
  1,550     North TX Twy Auth Rev Sys First Tier Rfdg, Ser L-2 (b)     6.000     01/01/38     1,679,255  
  2,850     North TX Twy Auth Rev Toll Second Tier Rfdg, Ser F     5.750     01/01/33     2,907,399  
  1,000     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckingham Sr Living Cmnty Inc     5.625     11/15/27     898,020  
  2,700     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckingham Sr Living Cmnty Inc     5.750     11/15/37     2,340,603  
  5,500     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckner Retirement Svc Inc Proj     5.250     11/15/37     4,929,705  
  450     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac CC Young Mem Home Proj     5.750     02/15/25     379,544  
  3,300     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Rev Christus Hlth Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd)     6.250     07/01/28     3,612,873  
  2,500     Texas A & M Univ Rev Fin Sys, Ser A     5.000     05/15/27     2,687,400  
  80     Texas Muni Pwr Agy Rev (NATL Insd) (e)     *       09/01/15     67,910  
  140     Texas St Pub Ppty Fin Corp Rev Mental Hlth & Retardation Rfdg (FSA Insd)     5.500     09/01/13     141,624  
  5,750     Texas St Trans Commn Mobility Fd (a)     5.000     04/01/28     6,155,289  
  3,000     Tyler, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev & Impt East TX Med Ctr Rfdg, Ser A     5.375     11/01/37     2,762,400  
                             
                          78,118,708  
                             
        Utah  0.1%
  800     Utah St Charter Sch Fin Auth Charter Sch Rev Summit Academy, Ser A     5.800     06/15/38     688,920  
                             
         
        Vermont  0.2%
  1,000     Vermont Econ Dev Auth Mtg Rev Wake Robin Corp Proj, Ser A     5.375     05/01/36     814,560  
                             
         
        Virginia  1.4%
  750     Peninsula Town Ctr Cmnty Dev Auth VA Spl Oblig     6.350     09/01/28     650,760  
  1,340     Richmond, VA (FSA Insd)     5.500     01/15/10     1,354,566  
 
 
32
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Virginia (Continued)
$ 2,590     Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp VA     5.500 %   06/01/26   $ 2,876,065  
  2,000     White Oak Vlg Shops VA Cmnty Dev Auth Spl Assmt Rev     5.300     03/01/17     1,939,600  
                             
                          6,820,991  
                             
        Washington  2.3%
  5,000     Bellevue, WA Convention Ctr Auth Spl Oblig Rev Rfdg (NATL Insd)     *       02/01/24     2,528,650  
  3,000     Energy Northwest WA Elec Rev Proj No 3 Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.500     07/01/18     3,213,090  
  1,350     Kalispel Tribe Indians Priority Dist WA Rev     6.625     01/01/28     1,158,637  
  2,000     Port Seattle, WA Rev, Ser B (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.625     02/01/24     2,006,160  
  1,345     Tacoma, WA Elec Sys Rev Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.750     01/01/15     1,428,928  
  1,545     Washington St Hsg Fin Commn Nonprofit Rev Custodial Rcpt Wesley Homes, Ser 2007A-2027 (Acquired 5/7/08, Cost $1,545,000) (c)     6.000     01/01/27     1,370,709  
                             
                          11,706,174  
                             
        West Virginia  1.1%
  3,500     Harrison Cnty, WV Cnty Cmnty Solid Waste Disp Rev Allegheny Energy Rfdg, Ser D (AMT)     5.500     10/15/37     3,332,245  
  1,000     West Virginia St Hosp Fin Auth Hosp Rev Thomas Hlth Sys     6.000     10/01/20     976,350  
  1,100     West Virginia St Hosp Fin Auth Hosp Rev Thomas Hlth Sys     6.250     10/01/23     1,054,218  
                             
                          5,362,813  
                             
        Wisconsin  3.1%
  450     Superior, WI Collateralized Util Rev Superior Wtr Lt & Pwr Proj Rfdg, Ser A (AMT)     5.375     11/01/21     451,886  
  410     Superior, WI Collateralized Util Rev Superior Wtr Lt & Pwr Proj, Ser B (AMT)     5.750     11/01/37     404,383  
  2,545     Wisconsin Hsg & Econ Dev Auth Home Ownership Rev, Ser A (AMT) (a)     5.300     09/01/23     2,630,487  
  3,200     Wisconsin Hsg & Econ Dev Auth Home Ownership Rev, Ser A (AMT) (a)     5.500     09/01/28     3,283,680  
  1,010     Wisconsin St Gen Rev Appropriation Rev, Ser A     5.375     05/01/25     1,101,122  
  5,000     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Mercy Hlth Sys Corp (AMBAC Insd)     5.500     08/15/25     5,013,050  
  1,000     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Aurora Hlthcare Inc, Ser B (b)     5.125     08/15/27     1,015,560  
  400     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Beaver Dam Cmnty Hosp Inc, Ser A     6.000     08/15/19     400,616  
  1,305     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Prohealth Care Inc Oblig Grp     6.625     02/15/39     1,404,650  
                             
                          15,705,434  
                             
 
 
33
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Wyoming  0.4%
$ 1,200     Sweetwater Cnty, WY Pollutn Ctl Rev ID Pwr Co Proj Rfdg     5.250 %   07/15/26   $ 1,248,840  
  1,000     Sweetwater Cnty, WY Solid Waste Disp Rev FMC Corp Proj Rfdg (AMT)     5.600     12/01/35     940,030  
                             
                          2,188,870  
                             
        Guam  0.1%
  550     Guam Pwr Auth Rev, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     10/01/34     499,152  
                             
         
        Puerto Rico  0.9%
  1,500     Puerto Rico Elec Pwr Auth Pwr Rev, Ser WW     5.250     07/01/33     1,493,850  
  65     Puerto Rico Pub Bldgs Auth Rev Govt Fac, Ser I (Comwth Gtd) (Prerefunded @ 7/01/14)     5.250     07/01/33     73,642  
  2,825     Puerto Rico Sales Tax Fin Corp Sales Tax Rev First Sub, Ser A (b)     5.000     08/01/39     2,936,021  
                             
                          4,503,513  
                             
         
Total Long-Term Investments  166.5%
(Cost $863,078,161)
    841,795,451  
         
         
Total Short-Term Investments  1.1%
(Cost $5,355,006)
    5,355,006  
         
         
Total Investments  167.6%
(Cost $868,433,167)
    847,150,457  
         
Liability for Floating Rate Note Obligations Related to Securities Held  (23.0%)
(Cost ($116,455,000))
       
  (116,455 )   Notes with interest rates ranging from 0.19% to 0.91% at October 31, 2009 and contractual maturities of collateral ranging from 2022 to 2041 (See Note 1(G) in the Notes to Financial Statements) (i)     (116,455,000 )
                 
         
Total Net Investments  144.6%
(Cost $751,978,167)
    730,695,457  
         
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  2.2%
    11,016,388  
         
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions) (46.8%)
    (236,256,804 )
         
         
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares 100.0%
  $ 505,455,041  
         
 
 
Percentages are calculated as a percentage of net assets applicable to common shares.
 
* Zero coupon bond
 
 
34
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Portfolio of Investments  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
 
(a) Underlying security related to Inverse Floaters entered into by the Trust. See Note 1(G) in the Notes to Financial Statements for further information.
 
(b) Variable Rate Coupon
 
(c) Security is restricted and may be resold only in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. Restricted securities comprise 2.8% of net assets applicable to common shares.
 
(d) 144A-Private Placement security which is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This security may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.
 
(e) Escrowed to Maturity
 
(f) Security has been deemed illiquid.
 
(g) Interest is accruing at less than the stated coupon. Coupon is shown as stated coupon/actual coupon.
 
(h) Non-income producing security.
 
(i) Floating rate notes. The interest rates shown reflect the rate in effect at October 31, 2009.
 
ACA—American Capital Access
AGC—AGC Insured Custody Certificates
AGL—Assured Guaranty Ltd.
AMBAC—AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
AMT—Alternative Minimum Tax
BHAC—Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp.
Comwth—Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
FGIC—Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FSA—Financial Security Assurance Inc.
GNMA—Government National Mortgage Association
NATL—National Public Finance Guarantee Corp
Radian—Radian Asset Assurance
Syncora—Syncora Guarantee Limited
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Trust’s investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below. (See Note 1(B) in the Notes to Financial Statements for further information regarding fair value measurements.)
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2009 in valuing the Trust’s investments carried at value.
 
                                 
    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3    
            Significant
   
        Other Significant
  Unobservable
   
Investment   Quoted Prices   Observable Inputs   Inputs   Total
 
 
Investments in an Asset Position:
                               
Municipal Bonds Issued by States of the United States and Political Subdivisions of the United States
  $     $ 847,150,457     $     $ 847,150,457  
                                 
 
 
35
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Financial Statements
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 31, 2009
 
             
Assets:
           
Total Investments (Cost $868,433,167)
  $ 847,150,457      
Cash
    747,533      
Receivables:
           
Interest
    13,467,704      
Investments Sold
    240,531      
Other
    13,048      
             
Total Assets
    861,619,273      
             
Liabilities:
           
Payables:
           
Floating Rate Note Obligations
    116,455,000      
Investments Purchased
    1,981,738      
Investment Advisory Fee
    323,391      
Income Distributions—Common Shares
    113,272      
Other Affiliates
    46,905      
Trustees’ Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
    753,196      
Accrued Expenses
    233,926      
             
Total Liabilities
    119,907,428      
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions)
    236,256,804      
             
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
  $ 505,455,041      
             
Net Asset Value Per Common Share ($505,455,041 divided by 38,902,185 shares outstanding)
  $ 12.99      
             
Net Assets Consist of:
           
Common Shares ($0.01 par value with an unlimited number of shares authorized, 38,902,185 shares issued and outstanding)
  $ 389,022      
Paid in Surplus
    581,462,551      
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income
    11,991,612      
Net Unrealized Depreciation
    (21,282,710 )    
Accumulated Net Realized Loss
    (67,105,434 )    
             
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
  $ 505,455,041      
             
Preferred Shares ($0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, 9,450 issued with liquidation preference of $25,000 per share)
  $ 236,250,000      
             
Net Assets Including Preferred Shares
  $ 741,705,041      
             
 
 
36
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended October 31, 2009
 
             
Investment Income:
           
Interest
  $ 47,399,709      
             
Expenses:
           
Investment Advisory Fee
    4,236,296      
Interest and Residual Trust Expenses
    1,289,787      
Preferred Share Maintenance
    494,463      
Professional Fees
    215,463      
Accounting and Administrative Expenses
    190,866      
Transfer Agent Fees
    93,476      
Reports to Shareholders
    62,306      
Trustees’ Fees and Related Expenses
    55,408      
Custody
    47,107      
Registration Fees
    29,096      
Other
    26,492      
             
Total Expenses
    6,740,760      
Investment Advisory Fee Reduction
    770,235      
             
Net Expenses
    5,970,525      
             
Net Investment Income
  $ 41,429,184      
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss:
           
Net Realized Loss
  $ (23,831,365 )    
             
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
           
Beginning of the Period
    (131,431,647 )    
End of the Period:
    (21,282,710 )    
             
Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period
    110,148,937      
             
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
  $ 86,317,572      
             
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
  $ (1,376,673 )    
             
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations
  $ 126,370,083      
             
 
 
37
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
 
                 
    For The
  For The
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    October 31, 2009   October 31, 2008
     
 
From Investment Activities:
               
Operations:
               
Net Investment Income
  $ 41,429,184     $ 45,313,019  
Net Realized Loss
    (23,831,365 )     (34,003,750 )
Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation During the Period
    110,148,937       (154,932,547 )
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:
               
Net Investment Income
    (1,376,673 )     (9,628,094 )
                 
Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations
    126,370,083       (153,251,372 )
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
               
Net Investment Income
    (33,586,984 )     (31,701,941 )
                 
                 
Net Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Investment Activities
    92,783,099       (184,953,313 )
                 
From Capital Transactions:
               
Value of Common Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment
    631,170       1,035,490  
Repurchase of Shares
    (80,721 )     (3,679,518 )
                 
                 
Net Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Capital Transactions
    550,449       (2,644,028 )
                 
Total Increase/Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
    93,333,548       (187,597,341 )
                 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares:
               
Beginning of the Period
    412,121,493       599,718,834  
                 
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $11,991,612 and $5,643,797, respectively)
  $ 505,455,041     $ 412,121,493  
                 
 
 
38
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Year Ended October 31, 2009
 
             
Change in Net Assets from Operations (including Preferred Share Distributions)
  $ 126,370,083      
             
Adjustments to Reconcile the Change in Net Assets from Operations to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
           
Purchases of Investments
    (148,798,338 )    
Proceeds from Sales of Investments
    174,356,424      
Net Purchases of Short-Term Investments
    (2,755,006 )    
Amortization of Premium
    878,949      
Accretion of Discount
    (1,560,875 )    
Net Realized Loss on Investments
    23,831,365      
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Investments
    (110,148,937 )    
Increase in Interest Receivable
    (519,191 )    
Increase in Other Assets
    (3,083 )    
Increase in Investment Advisory Fee Payable
    37,415      
Decrease in Accrued Expenses
    (102,413 )    
Increase in Other Affiliates Payable
    11,227      
Increase in Trustees’ Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
    39,299      
             
Total Adjustments
    (64,733,164 )    
             
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    61,636,919      
             
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
           
Repurchased Shares
    (80,721 )    
Dividends Paid (net of reinvested dividends $631,170)
    (33,059,619 )    
Proceeds from and Repayments of Floating Rate Note Obligations
    (4,470,000 )    
Retirement of Preferred Shares
    (23,750,000 )    
             
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities
    (61,360,340 )    
             
Net Increase in Cash
    276,579      
Cash at the Beginning of the Period
    470,954      
             
Cash at the End of the Period
  $ 747,533      
             
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
           
Cash Paid During the Year for Interest
  $ 1,289,787      
             
 
 
39
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Financial Highlights
 
The following schedule presents financial highlights for one common share of the Trust outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
 
                                         
    Year Ended October 31,
    2009   2008   2007   2006   2005
     
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of the Period
  $ 10.61     $ 15.35     $ 16.33     $ 16.15     $ 16.60  
                                         
Net Investment Income
    1.07 (a)     1.17 (a)     1.09 (a)     1.02 (a)     1.02  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss
    2.21       (4.84 )     (0.97 )     0.48       (0.41 )
Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to Preferred Shareholders:
                                       
Net Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.25 )     (0.31 )     (0.24 )     (0.18 )
Net Realized Gain
    -0-       -0-       -0-       (0.05 )     -0-  
                                         
Total from Investment Operations
    3.24       (3.92 )     (0.19 )     1.21       0.43  
Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders:
                                       
Net Investment Income
    (0.86 )     (0.82 )     (0.79 )     (0.79 )     (0.88 )
Net Realized Gain
    -0-       -0-       -0-       (0.24 )     -0-  
                                         
Net Asset Value, End of the Period
  $ 12.99     $ 10.61     $ 15.35     $ 16.33     $ 16.15  
                                         
                                         
Common Share Market Price at End of the Period
  $ 12.69     $ 10.15     $ 13.85     $ 14.86     $ 14.02  
Total Return* (b)
    34.85%       –22.15%       –1.88%       13.84%       0.01%  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the Period (In millions)
  $ 505.5     $ 412.1     $ 599.7     $ 643.1     $ 635.9  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares* (c)
    1.34%       2.05%       2.14%       1.23%       1.06%  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares* (c)
    9.31%       8.31%       6.84%       6.40%       6.21%  
Portfolio Turnover
    19%       67%       25%       28%       33%  
*  If certain expenses had not been voluntarily assumed by Van Kampen, total return would have been lower and the ratios would have been as follows:
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    1.51%       2.21%       2.28%       N/A       N/A  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    9.13%       8.15%       6.70%       N/A       N/A  
                                         
Supplemental Ratios:                                        
Ratio of Expenses (Excluding Interest and Residual Trust Expenses) to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    1.05%       0.96%       0.95%       1.11%       1.06%  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (d)
    9.00%       6.55%       4.92%       4.91%       5.12%  
                                         
Senior Securities:                                        
Total Preferred Shares Outstanding
    9,450       10,400       13,000       13,000       13,000  
Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)
  $ 78,488     $ 64,637     $ 71,143     $ 74,490     $ 73,933  
Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Average Market Value Per Preferred Share
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
 
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the period indicated.
(c) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(d) Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(e) Calculated by subtracting the Trust’s total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Trust’s total assets and dividing this by the number of preferred shares outstanding.
N/A=Not applicable
 
 
40
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  n  October 31, 2009
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Van Kampen Municipal Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust’s investment objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust will invest in a portfolio consisting substantially of municipal obligations rated investment grade at the time of investment, but may invest up to 20% of its assets in unrated securities which are believed to be of comparable quality to those rated investment grade. The Trust commenced investment operations on September 27, 1991.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) established the FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM(ASC) as the single source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The ASC supersedes existing non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. The ASC did not change GAAP but rather organized it into a hierarchy where all guidance within the ASC carries an equal level of authority. The ASC became effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Trust appropriately updated relevant GAAP references to reflect the new ASC.
 
A. Security Valuation Municipal bonds are valued by independent pricing services or dealers using the mean of the last reported bid and asked prices or, in the absence of market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to municipal bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions. Securities which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are valued at fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
 
B. Fair Value Measurements The Trust adopted FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820) (formerly known as FAS 157), effective November 1, 2008. In accordance with ASC 820, fair value is defined as the price that the Trust would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the
 
 
41


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Trust’s investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
 
Level 1— quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
Level 2— other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3— significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
 
C. Security Transactions Security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The Trust may purchase and sell securities on a “when-issued” or “delayed delivery” basis, with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will segregate assets with the custodian having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until payment is made. At October 31, 2009, the Trust had no when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments.
 
D. Investment Income Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond premium is amortized and discount is accreted over the expected life of each applicable security.
 
E. Federal Income Taxes It is the Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Trust recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in “Interest Expense” and penalties in “Other” expenses on the Statement of Operations. The Trust files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and in various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2009, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.
The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the year of the loss and offset these losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2009, the Trust had an accumulated capital loss carry forward
 
 
42


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
for tax purposes of $67,585,843, which will expire according to the following schedule:
 
                 
Amount       Expiration
 
$ 929,222           October 31, 2010  
  2,903,782           October 31, 2012  
  593,665           October 31, 2014  
  6,620,583           October 31, 2015  
  34,152,213           October 31, 2016  
  22,386,378           October 31, 2017  
 
A portion of the capital loss carry forward above was acquired due to a merger with another regulated investment company and is subject to annual limitations.
At October 31, 2009, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation were as follows:
 
             
Cost of investments for tax purposes
  $ 750,974,842      
             
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
  $ 38,019,258      
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
    (58,285,971 )    
             
Net tax unrealized depreciation on investments
  $ (20,266,713 )    
             
 
F. Distribution of Income and Gains The Trust declares and pays monthly dividends from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains, if any, are distributed at least annually on a pro rata basis to common and preferred shareholders. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains and a portion of futures gains, which are included as ordinary income for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2009 and 2008 was as follows:
 
                 
    2009   2008
 
Distributions paid from:
               
Ordinary income
  $ 62,715     $ 15,123  
Tax exempt income
    35,004,747       41,341,380  
                 
    $ 35,067,462     $ 41,356,503  
                 
 
Permanent differences, primarily due to a capital loss carry forward in the amount of $468,317 expiring in the current year, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Trust’s components of net assets at October 31, 2009:
 
                     
Accumulated Undistributed
  Accumulated Net
   
Net Investment Income   Realized Loss   Paid in Surplus
 
$ (117,712 )   $ 586,029     $ (468,317 )
 
 
43


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
As of October 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Undistributed ordinary income
  $ 145,140  
Undistributed tax-exempt income
    12,223,144  
 
Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial reporting and tax purposes primarily as a result of gains or losses recognized on securities for tax purposes but not for book purposes.
 
G. Floating Rate Note Obligations Related to Securities Held The Trust enters into transactions in which it transfers to dealer trusts fixed rate bonds in exchange for cash and residual interests in the dealer trusts’ assets and cash flows, which are in the form of inverse floating rate investments. The dealer trusts fund the purchases of the fixed rate bonds by issuing floating rate notes to third parties and allowing the Trust to retain residual interests in the bonds. The Trust enters into shortfall agreements with the dealer trusts, which commit the Trust to pay the dealer trusts, in certain circumstances, the difference between the liquidation value of the fixed rate bonds held by the dealer trusts and the liquidation value of the floating rate notes held by third parties, as well as any shortfalls in interest cash flows. The residual interests held by the Trust (inverse floating rate investments) include the right of the Trust (1) to cause the holders of the floating rate notes to tender their notes at par at the next interest rate reset date, and (2) to transfer the municipal bond from the dealer trusts to the Trust, thereby collapsing the dealer trusts. The Trust accounts for the transfer of bonds to the dealer trusts as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the Trust’s investment assets, and the related floating rate notes reflected as Trust liabilities under the caption “Floating Rate Note Obligations” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust records the interest income from the fixed rate bonds under the caption “Interest” and records the expenses related to floating rate note obligations and any administrative expenses of the dealer trusts under the caption “Interest and Residual Trust Expenses” on the Trust’s Statement of Operations. The notes issued by the dealer trusts have interest rates that reset weekly and the floating rate note holders have the option to tender their notes to the dealer trusts for redemption at par at each reset date. At October 31, 2009, Trust investments with a value of $201,402,389 are held by the dealer trusts and serve as collateral for the $116,455,000 in floating rate notes outstanding at that date. Contractual maturities of the floating rate notes and interest rates in effect at October 31, 2009 are presented on the Portfolio of Investments. The average floating rate notes outstanding and average annual interest and fee rate related to residual interests during the year ended October 31, 2009 were $109,399,732 and 1.18%, respectively.
 
H. Reporting Subsequent Events Management has evaluated the impact of any subsequent events through December 21, 2009, the date the financial statements were effectively issued. Management has determined that there are no material events or transactions that would affect the Trust’s financial statements or require disclosure in the Trust’s financial statements through this date.
 
 
44


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen Asset Management (the “Adviser”) will provide investment advice and facilities to the Trust for and annual fee payable monthly of 0.55% of the average daily net assets including current preferred shares and leverage of $88,750,000 entered into to retire previously issued preferred shares of the Trust. The Adviser has agreed to waive investment advisory fees equal to 0.10% of the average daily net assets including current preferred shares and leverage of $88,750,000 entered into to retire previously issued preferred shares of the Trust. During the year ended October 31, 2009, the Adviser waived approximately $770,200 of its advisory fees. This waiver is voluntary and can be discontinued at any time.
For the year ended October 31, 2009, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $126,900 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, of which a trustee of the Trust is a partner of such firm and he and his law firm provide legal services as legal counsel to the Trust.
Under separate Legal Services, Accounting Services and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Employment agreements, the Adviser provides accounting and legal services and the CCO provides compliance services to the Trust. The costs of these services are allocated to each trust. For the year ended October 31, 2009, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $106,700 representing Van Kampen Investments Inc.’s or its affiliates’ (collectively “Van Kampen”) cost of providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, as well as the salary, benefits and related costs of the CCO and related support staff paid by Van Kampen. Services provided pursuant to the Legal Services agreement are reported as part of “Professional Fees” on the Statement of Operations. Services provided pursuant to the Accounting Services and CCO Employment agreement are reported as part of “Accounting and Administrative Expenses” on the Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are also officers of Van Kampen.
The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee’s years of service to the Trust. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500.
 
3. Capital Transactions
For the years ended October 31, 2009 and 2008, transactions in common shares were as follows:
 
                 
    Year Ended
  Year Ended
    October 31, 2009   October 31, 2008
 
Beginning Shares
    38,856,411       39,063,367  
Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment
    54,374       73,379  
Shares Repurchased*
    (8,600 )     (280,335 )
                 
Ending Shares
    38,902,185       38,856,411  
                 
 
* The Trust has a share repurchase program for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Trust’s shares trade from its net asset value. For the years ended October 31, 2009 and 2008, the Trust repurchased 8,600 and 280,335, respectively of its shares at an average discount of
 
 
45


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
11.28% and 8.12%, respectively, from net asset value per share. The Trust expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes such activity will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, subject to review of the Trustees.
 
4. Investment Transactions
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $147,107,689 and $173,738,978, respectively.
 
5. Inverse Floating Rate Securities
The Trust may invest a portion of its assets in inverse floating rate municipal securities, which are variable debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. These investments are typically used by the Trust in seeking to enhance the yield of the portfolio or used as an alternative form of leverage in order to redeem a portion of the Trusts’ preferred shares. Inverse floating rate investments tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Inverse floating rate investments have varying degrees of liquidity. Inverse floating rate securities in which the Trust may invest include derivative instruments such as residual interest bonds (“RIBs”) or tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust that holds long-term fixed rate bonds (which may be tendered by the Trust in certain instances) and sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to third party investors, and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Trust. The short-term floating rate interests have first priority on the cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust and the Trust is paid the residual cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust.
The Trust generally invests in inverse floating rate investments that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Trust to greater risks and increased costs. The market value of a “leveraged” inverse floating rate investment generally will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an unleveraged investment. The extent of increases and decreases in the value of inverse floating rate investments generally will be larger than changes in an equal principal amount of a fixed rate security having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, which may cause the Trust’s net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not invested in inverse floating rate investments.
In certain instances, the short-term floating rate interests created by the special purpose trust may not be able to be sold to third parties or, in the case of holders tendering (or putting) such interests for repayment of principal, may not be able to be remarketed to third parties. In such cases, the special purpose trust holding the long-term fixed rate bonds may be collapsed. In the case of RIBs or TOBs created by the contribution of long-term fixed income bonds by the Trust, the Trust will then be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered securities. During times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty, the Trust could be required to sell other portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time to raise cash to meet that obligation.
 
6. Derivative Financial Instruments
A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security whose value is “derived” from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate or index.
 
 
46


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
The Trust may use derivative instruments for a variety of reasons, such as to attempt to protect the Trust against possible changes in the market value of its portfolio, to manage the portfolio’s effective yield, maturity and duration, or generate potential gain. All of the Trust’s portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is generally recognized.
The Trust adopted FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815) (formerly known as FAS 161), effective May 1, 2009. ASC 815 is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Trust uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Trust’s financial position and results of operations.
The Trust is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursing its investment objectives. The Trust may use futures contracts to gain exposure to, or hedge against changes in the value of interest rates. A futures contract is an agreement involving the delivery of a particular asset on a specified future date at an agreed upon price. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Trust maintains an amount of cash or liquid securities with a value equal to a percentage of the contract amount with either a futures commission merchant pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act, or with its custodian in an account in the broker’s name. This amount is known as initial margin. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). When entering into futures contracts, the Trust bears the risk of interest rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Trust may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the futures contracts and may realize a loss. With futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Trust since futures are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as a counterparty to all exchange traded futures, guarantees the futures against default. The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
There were no transactions in futures contracts for the year ended October 31, 2009.
 
7. Preferred Shares
The Trust has outstanding 9,450 Auction Preferred Shares (APS). Series A contains 2,100 shares, Series B contains 2,250 shares, Series C contains 2,100 shares, Series D contains 2,250 shares amd Series E contains 750 shares. Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rates are generally reset every 7 days for Series A and Series C, while Series B, Series D, and Series E are generally reset every 28 days through an auction process. Beginning on February 12, 2008, and continuing through October 31, 2009, all series of preferred shares of the Trust were not successfully remarketed. As a result, the dividend rates of these preferred shares were reset to the maximum applicable rate on APS. The average rate in effect on October 31, 2009 was 0.181%. During the year ended October 31, 2009, the rates ranged from 0.166% to 3.475%.
Historically, the Trust paid annual fees equivalent to 0.25% of the preferred share liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred auction. Effective March 16, 2009, the Trust decreased this amount to 0.15% due to auction failures. In the future, if auctions no longer fail, the Trust may return to an annual fee payment of 0.25% of the preferred share liquidation value. These fees are included as a component of “Preferred Share Maintenance” expense on the Statement of Operations.
 
 
47


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends. The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to mandatory redemption if the tests are not met.
The Trust entered into additional inverse floating rate securities as an alternative form of leverage in order to redeem and retire a portion of its preferred shares. For the year ended October 31, 2009, transactions in preferred shares were as follows:
 
                                                                                     
    Series A   Series B   Series C   Series D   Series E    
    Shares   Value   Shares   Value   Shares   Value   Shares   Value   Shares   Value    
 
Outstanding at October 31, 2008
    2,400     $ 60,000,000       2,400     $ 60,000,000       2,400     $ 60,000,000       2,400     $ 60,000,000       800     $ 20,000,000      
Amount Retired
    (300 )     (7,500,000 )     (150 )     (3,750,000 )     (300 )     (7,500,000 )     (150 )     (3,750,000 )     (50 )     (1,250,000 )    
                                                                                     
Outstanding at October 31, 2009
    2,100     $ 52,500,000       2,250     $ 56,250,000       2,100     $ 52,500,000       2,250     $ 56,250,000       750     $ 18,750,000      
                                                                                     
 
8. Line of Credit
During the year, several Van Kampen municipal funds, including the Trust, entered into a $150,000,000 joint revolving bank credit facility. The purpose of the facility is to provide availability of funds for short-term liquidity purposes. There were no borrowings under the facility during the year.
 
9. Indemnifications
The Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
10. Significant Event
On October 19, 2009, Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., the parent company of Van Kampen Investments, Inc., announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to sell its retail asset management business to Invesco Ltd. The transaction includes a sale of the part of the asset management business that advises funds, including the Van Kampen family of funds. The transaction is subject to certain approvals and other conditions, and is currently expected to close in mid-2010.
 
11. Accounting Pronouncement
During June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140 (FAS 166). The objective of FAS 166 is to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness, and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets.
 
 
48


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  October 31, 2009  continued
 
FAS 166 is effective as of the beginning of each reporting entity’s first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, for interim periods within that first annual reporting period and for interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. Earlier application is prohibited. The recognition and measurement provisions of FAS 166 must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. Additionally, the disclosure provisions of FAS 166 should be applied to transfers that occurred both before and after the effective date of FAS 166. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FAS 166 and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and disclosures, if any.
 
 
49


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Van Kampen Municipal Trust
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van Kampen Municipal Trust (the “Trust”), including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2009, the related statements of operations and cash flows 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 Trust’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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (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. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2009, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van Kampen Municipal Trust as of October 31, 2009, the results of its operations and its cash flows 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 of America.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
December 21, 2009
 
 
50


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
 
The dividend reinvestment plan (the Plan) offers you a prompt and simple way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions (Distributions) into additional shares of the Trust. Under the Plan, the money you earn from Distributions will be reinvested automatically in more shares of the Trust, allowing you to potentially increase your investment over time.
 
Plan benefits
 
• Add to your account
 
You may increase your shares in the Trust easily and automatically with the Plan.
 
• Low transaction costs
 
Shareholders who participate in the Plan are able to buy shares at below-market prices when the Trust is trading at a premium to its net asset value. In addition, transaction costs are low because when new shares are issued by the Trust, there is no brokerage fee, and when shares are bought in blocks on the open market, the brokerage commission is shared among all participants.
 
• Convenience
 
You will receive a detailed account statement from Computershare Trust Company , N.A., (the Agent) which administers the Plan. The statement shows your total Distributions, dates of investment, shares acquired, and price per share, as well as the total number of shares in your reinvestment account. You can also access your account at vankampen.com.
 
• Safekeeping
 
The Agent will hold the shares it has acquired for you in safekeeping.
 
How to participate in the Plan
 
If you own shares in your own name, you can participate directly in the Plan. If your shares are held in “street name”—in the name of your brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution—you must instruct that entity to participate on your behalf. If they are unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that they reregister your shares in your own name so that you may enroll in the Plan.
If you choose to participate in the Plan, your Distributions will be promptly reinvested for you, automatically increasing your shares. If the Trust is trading at a share price that is equal to its net asset value (NAV), you’ll pay that amount for your reinvested shares. However, if the Trust is trading above or below NAV, the price is determined by one of two ways:
  1.  Premium If the Trust is trading at a premium—a market price that is higher than its NAV—you’ll pay either the NAV or 95 percent of the market price,
 
 
51


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
continued
 
  whichever is greater. When the Trust trades at a premium, you’ll pay less for your reinvested shares than an ordinary investor purchasing shares on the stock exchange. Keep in mind, a portion of your price reduction may be taxable because you are receiving shares at less than market price.
  2.  Discount If the Trust is trading at a discount—a market price that is lower than its NAV—you’ll pay the market price for your reinvested shares.
 
How to enroll
 
To enroll in the Plan, please read the Terms and Conditions in the Plan brochure. You can obtain a copy of the Plan Brochure and enroll in the Plan by visiting vankampen.com, calling toll-free (800) 341-2929 or notifying us in writing at Van Kampen Closed End Funds, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078. Please include the Trust name and account number and ensure that all shareholders listed on the account sign these written instructions. Your participation in the Plan will begin with the next Distribution payable after the Agent receives your authorization, as long as they receive it before the “record date,” which is generally ten business days before the dividend is paid. If your authorization arrives after such record date, your participation in the Plan will begin with the following Distribution.
 
Costs of the plan
 
There is no direct charge to you for reinvesting Distributions because the Plan’s fees are paid by the Trust. However, when applicable, you will pay your portion of any brokerage commissions incurred when the new shares are purchased on the open market. These brokerage commissions are typically less than the standard brokerage charges for individual transactions, because shares are purchased for all participants in blocks, resulting in lower commissions for each individual participant. Any brokerage commissions or service fees are averaged into the purchase price.
 
Tax implications
 
The automatic reinvestment of Distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be due on Distributions.
You will receive tax information annually to help you prepare your federal and state income tax returns.
Van Kampen does not offer tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. It was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under U.S. federal tax laws. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Shareholders should always consult a legal or tax advisor for information concerning their individual situation.
 
 
52


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  
continued
 
How to withdraw from the Plan
 
To withdraw from the Plan please visit vankampen.com or call (800) 341-2929 or notify us in writing at the address below.
Van Kampen Closed-End Funds
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
All shareholders listed on the account must sign any written withdrawal instructions. If you withdraw, you have three options with regard to the shares held in your account:
  1.  If you opt to continue to hold your non-certificated whole shares (Investment Plan Book Shares), they will be held by the Agent electronically as Direct Registration Book-Shares (Book-Entry) and fractional shares will be sold at the then current market price. Proceeds will be sent via check to your address of record after deducting applicable fees and brokerage commissions.
  2.  If you opt to sell your shares through the Agent, we will sell all full and fractional shares and send the proceeds via check to your address of record after deducting brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.
  3.  You may sell your shares through your financial advisor through the Direct Registration Systems (“DRS”). DRS is a service within the securities industry that allows Trust shares to be held in your name in electronic format. You retain full ownership of your shares, without having to hold a stock certificate.
The Trust and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. may amend or terminate the Plan. Participants will receive written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, Participants will receive written notice at least 30 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or capital gains distribution by the Trust. In the case of amendment or termination necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules and policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, such written notice will not be required.
 
To obtain a complete copy of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, please call our Client Relations department at 800-341-2929 or visit vankampen.com.
 
 
 
53


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Board of Trustees, Officers and Important Addresses
 
     
Board of Trustees
David C. Arch
Jerry D. Choate
Rod Dammeyer
Linda Hutton Heagy
R. Craig Kennedy
Howard J Kerr
Jack E. Nelson
Hugo F. Sonnenschein
Wayne W. Whalen*
– Chairman
Suzanne H. Woolsey
 
Officers
Edward C. Wood III
President and Principal Executive Officer
Kevin Klingert
Vice President
Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Vice President and Secretary
John L. Sullivan
Chief Compliance Officer
Stuart N. Schuldt
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
  Investment Adviser
Van Kampen Asset Management
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

Custodian
State Street Bank
and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Transfer Agent
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
c/o Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078

Legal Counsel
Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP
155 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4301
 
 
(Unaudited)
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Trust during its taxable year ended October 31, 2009. The Trust designated 99.82% of the income distributions as a tax-exempt income distribution. In January, the Trust provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.
 
 
* “Interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
 
54


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Results of Shareholder Votes
 
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust was held on June 17, 2009, where shareholders voted on the election of trustees.
 
With regard to the election of the following trustees by the common shareholders of the Trust:
 
                 
    # of Shares
    In Favor   Withheld
 
 
Wayne W. Whalen
    35,400,370       1,197,529  
Rod Dammeyer
    35,419,784       1,178,116  
 
With regard to the election of the following trustees by the preferred shareholders of the Trust:
 
                 
    # of Shares
    In Favor   Withheld
 
 
Linda Hutton Heagy
    6,285       213  
 
The other trustees of the Trust whose terms did not expire in 2009 are David Arch, Jerry D. Choate, R. Craig Kennedy, Howard J Kerr, Jack E. Nelson, Hugo F. Sonnenschein and Suzanne H. Woolsey.
 
 
55


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers
 
 
The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the direction of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Fund’s officers appointed by the Board of Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and executive officers of the Fund and their principal occupations during the last five years, other directorships held by trustees and their affiliations, if any, with Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser, the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp. and Investor Services. The term “Fund Complex” includes each of the investment companies advised by the Adviser as of the date of this Annual Report. Trustees of the Fund generally serve three year terms or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually elected by the trustees.
 
                         
Independent Trustees:
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Independent Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
David C. Arch (64)
Blistex Inc.
1800 Swift Drive
Oak Brook, IL 60523
  Trustee   Trustee
since 1991
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blistex Inc., a consumer health care products manufacturer.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Member of the Heartland Alliance Advisory Board, a nonprofit organization serving human needs based in Chicago. Board member of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. Member of the Board of Visitors, Institute for the Humanities, University of Michigan.
                         
 
 
56


 

                         
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Independent Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
Jerry D. Choate (71)
33971 Selva Road
Suite 130
Dana Point, CA 92629
  Trustee   Trustee
since 2003
  Prior to January 2003, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Allstate Corporation (“Allstate”) and Allstate Insurance Company. Prior to January 1995, President and Chief Executive Officer of Allstate. Prior to August 1994, various management positions at Allstate.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Director of Amgen Inc., a biotechnological company, and Valero Energy Corporation, an independent refining company.
                         
                         
Rod Dammeyer (69)
CAC, LLC
4370 LaJolla Village Drive
Suite 685
San Diego, CA 92122-1249
  Trustee   Trustee
since 1991
  President of CAC, LLC, a private company offering capital investment and management advisory services.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Director of Quidel Corporation and Stericycle, Inc. Prior to May 2008, Trustee of The Scripps Research Institute. Prior to February 2008, Director of Ventana Medical Systems, Inc. Prior to April 2007, Director of GATX Corporation. Prior to April 2004, Director of TheraSense, Inc. Prior to January 2004, Director of TeleTech Holdings Inc. and Arris Group, Inc.
                         
 
 
57


 

                         
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Independent Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
Linda Hutton Heagy† (61)
4939 South Greenwood
Chicago, IL 60615
  Trustee   Trustee
since 2003
  Prior to February 2008, Managing Partner of Heidrick & Struggles, an international executive search firm. Prior to 1997, Partner of Ray & Berndtson, Inc., an executive recruiting firm. Prior to 1995, Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO, N.A., a bank holding company. Prior to 1990, Executive Vice President of The Exchange National Bank.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Trustee on the University of Chicago Medical Center Board, Vice Chair of the Board of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and a member of the Women’s Board of the University of Chicago.
                         
                         
R. Craig Kennedy (57)
1744 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
  Trustee   Trustee
since 2003
  Director and President of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, an independent U.S. foundation created to deepen understanding, promote collaboration and stimulate exchanges of practical experience between Americans and Europeans. Formerly, advisor to the Dennis Trading Group Inc., a managed futures and option company that invests money for individuals and institutions. Prior to 1992, President and Chief Executive Officer, Director and member of the Investment Committee of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Director of First Solar, Inc.
                         
                         
Howard J Kerr (74)
14 Huron Trace
Galena, IL 61036
  Trustee   Trustee
since 1992
  Prior to 1998, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pocklington Corporation, Inc., an investment holding company.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Director of the Lake Forest Bank & Trust. Director of the Marrow Foundation.
                         
 
 
58


 

                         
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Independent Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
Jack E. Nelson (73)
423 Country Club Drive
Winter Park, FL 32789
  Trustee   Trustee
since 2003
  President of Nelson Investment Planning Services, Inc., a financial planning company and registered investment adviser in the State of Florida. President of Nelson Ivest Brokerage Services Inc., a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), Securities Investors Protection Corp. and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board. President of Nelson Sales and Services Corporation, a marketing and services company to support affiliated companies.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex.
                         
                         
                         
                         
Hugo F. Sonnenschein (69)
1126 E. 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
  Trustee   Trustee
since 1994
  President Emeritus and Honorary Trustee of the University of Chicago and the Adam Smith Distinguished Service Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Chicago. Prior to July 2000, President of the University of Chicago.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Trustee of the University of Rochester and a member of its investment committee. Member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Philosophical Society and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
                         
 
 
59


 

                         
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Independent Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
Suzanne H. Woolsey, Ph.D. (68)
815 Cumberstone Road
Harwood, MD 20776
  Trustee   Trustee
since 2003
  Chief Communications Officer of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, an independent, federally chartered policy institution, from 2001 to November 2003 and Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to 2001. Prior to 1993, Executive Director of the Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education at the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council. From 1980 through 1989, Partner of Coopers & Lybrand.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Trustee of Changing World Technologies, Inc., an energy manufacturing company, since July 2008. Director of Fluor Corp., an engineering, procurement and construction organization, since January 2004. Director of Intelligent Medical Devices, Inc., a symptom based diagnostic tool for physicians and clinical labs. Director of the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federally funded research and development center, Director of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Director of the Rocky Mountain Institute and Trustee of California Institute of Technology and the Colorado College.
                         
 
 
60


 

                         
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
Interested Trustees:*
                Number of
   
        Term of
      Funds in
   
        Office and
      Fund
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
      Complex
   
Name, Age and Address
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
  Overseen
  Other Directorships
of Interested Trustee   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years   By Trustee   Held by Trustee
 
Wayne W. Whalen* (70)
155 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
  Trustee   Trustee
since 1991
  Partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, legal counsel to funds in the Fund Complex.     88     Trustee/Director/Managing General Partner of funds in the Fund Complex. Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.
 
As indicated above, prior to February 2008, Ms. Heagy was an employee of Heidrick and Struggles, an international executive search firm (“Heidrick”). Heidrick has been (and may continue to be) engaged by Morgan Stanley from time to time to perform executive searches. Such searches have been done by professionals at Heidrick without any involvement by Ms. Heagy. Ethical wall procedures exist to ensure that Ms. Heagy will not have any involvement with any searches performed by Heidrick for Morgan Stanley. Ms. Heagy does not receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, for searches performed by Heidrick for Morgan Stanley.
 
* Mr. Whalen is an “interested person” (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of certain funds in the Fund Complex by reason of he and his firm currently providing legal services as legal counsel to such funds in the Fund Complex.
 
 
61


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
 
             
Officers:
        Term of
   
        Office and
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
   
Name, Age and
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
Address of Officer   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years
 
Edward C. Wood III (53)
1 Parkview Plaza – Suite 100
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
  President and
Principal Executive
Officer
  Officer
since 2008
  President and Principal Executive Officer of funds in the Fund Complex since November 2008. Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments Inc., the Adviser, the Distributor, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp. since December 2003. Chief Administrative Officer of the Adviser, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp. since December 2002. Chief Operating Officer of the Distributor since December 2002. Director of Van Kampen Advisors Inc., the Distributor and Van Kampen Exchange Corp. since March 2004. Director of the Adviser since August 2008. Director of Van Kampen Investments Inc. and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. since June 2008. Previously, Director of the Adviser and Van Kampen Investments Inc. from March 2004 to January 2005 and Chief Administrative Officer of Van Kampen Investments Inc. from 2002 to 2009.
             
             
Kevin Klingert (47)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President   Officer
since 2008
  Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex since May 2008. Global Head, Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Investment Officer of the Fixed Income Group of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. since April 2008. Head of Global Liquidity Portfolio Management and co-Head of Liquidity Credit Research of Morgan Stanley Investment Management since December 2007. Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. from December 2007 to March 2008. Previously, Managing Director on the Management Committee and head of Municipal Portfolio Management and Liquidity at BlackRock from October 1991 to January 2007.
             
             
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (43)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
  Vice President
and Secretary
  Officer
since 2003
  Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Vice President and Secretary of funds in the Fund Complex.
             
             
John L. Sullivan (54)
1 Parkview Plaza – Suite 100
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
  Chief Compliance Officer   Officer
since 1996
  Chief Compliance Officer of funds in the Fund Complex since August 2004. Prior to August 2004, Director and Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex and head of Fund Accounting for Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Prior to December 2002, Executive Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Adviser and Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
             
 
 
62


 

             
Van Kampen Municipal Trust
Trustees and Officers  continued
        Term of
   
        Office and
   
    Position(s)
  Length of
   
Name, Age and
  Held with
  Time
  Principal Occupation(s)
Address of Officer   Fund   Served   During Past 5 Years
 
Stuart N. Schuldt (47)
1 Parkview Plaza – Suite 100
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
  Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   Officer
since 2007
  Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. since June 2007. Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of funds in the Fund Complex since June 2007. Prior to June 2007, Senior Vice President of Northern Trust Company, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer for Northern Trust U.S. mutual fund complex.
 
In accordance with Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Trust’s Chief Executive Officer has certified to the New York Stock Exchange that, as of July 1, 2009, he was not aware of any violation by the Trust of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.
 
The certifications by the Trust’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer required by Rule 30a-2 under the 1940 Act were filed with the Trust’s report to the SEC on Form N-CSR and are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
63


 

Your Notes


 

Your Notes


 

Van Kampen Municipal Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy
 
We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our privacy policy (“Policy”) annually.
 
This Policy applies to current and former individual clients of certain Van Kampen closed-end funds and related companies.
 
This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders, nor is this Policy applicable to individuals who are either beneficiaries of a trust for which we serve as trustee or participants in an employee benefit plan administered or advised by us. This Policy is, however, applicable to individuals who select us to be a custodian of securities or assets in individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, 529 Educational Savings Accounts, accounts subject to the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, or similar accounts. We may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to this Policy as required by law.
 
We Respect Your Privacy
 
We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information and understand your concerns about safeguarding such information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what nonpublic personal information we collect about you, how we collect it, when we may share it with others, and how others may use it. It discusses the steps you may take to limit our sharing of information about you with affiliated Van Kampen companies (“affiliated companies”). It also discloses how you may limit our affiliates’ use of shared information for marketing purposes. Throughout this Policy, we refer to the nonpublic information that personally identifies you or your accounts as “personal information.”
 
1. What Personal Information Do We Collect About You?
 
To better serve you and manage our business, it is important that we collect and maintain accurate information about you. We obtain this information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our websites and from third parties and other sources. For example:
 
  •   We collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment objectives through application forms you submit to us.  
 
(continued on next page)
 


 


Van Kampen Municipal Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
  •   We may obtain information about account balances, your use of account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us and other sources.  
 
  •   We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit history from consumer reporting agencies.  
 
  •   We may collect background information from and through third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and to comply with various regulatory requirements.  
 
  •   If you interact with us through our public and private Web sites, we may collect information that you provide directly through online communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect information about your Internet service provider, your domain name, your computer’s operating system and Web browser, your use of our Web sites and your product and service preferences, through the use of “cookies.” “Cookies” recognize your computer each time you return to one of our sites, and help to improve our sites’ content and personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details on our use of cookies.  
 
2. When Do We Disclose Personal Information We Collect About You?
 
To provide you with the products and services you request, to better serve you, to manage our business and as otherwise required or permitted by law, we may disclose personal information we collect about you to other affiliated companies and to nonaffiliated third parties.
 
a. Information We Disclose to Our Affiliated Companies. In order to manage your account(s) effectively, including servicing and processing your transactions, to let you know about products and services offered by us and affiliated companies, to manage our business, and as otherwise required or permitted by law, we may disclose personal information about you to other affiliated companies. Offers for products and services from affiliated companies are developed under conditions designed to safeguard your personal information.
 
b. Information We Disclose to Third Parties. We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to nonaffiliated third parties except to enable them to provide marketing services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, and as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose information about you to third
 
(continued on next page)
 


 


Van Kampen Municipal Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information with a nonaffiliated third party, they are required to limit their use of personal information about you to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information about you with others except to fulfill that limited purpose or as may be required by law.
 
3. How Do We Protect The Security and Confidentiality Of Personal Information We Collect About You?
 
We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information about you, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information.
 
4. How Can You Limit Our Sharing Of Certain Personal Information About You With Our Affiliated Companies For Eligibility Determination?
 
We respect your privacy and offer you choices as to whether we share with our affiliated companies personal information that was collected to determine your eligibility for products and services such as credit reports and other information that you have provided to us or that we may obtain from third parties (“eligibility information”). Please note that, even if you direct us not to share certain eligibility information with our affiliated companies, we may still share your personal information, including eligibility information, with those companies under circumstances that are permitted under applicable law, such as to process transactions or to service your account. We may also share certain other types of personal information with affiliated companies—such as your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and account number(s), and information about your transactions and experiences with us.
 
5. How Can You Limit the Use of Certain Personal Information About You by our Affiliated Companies for Marketing?
 
You may limit our affiliated companies from using certain personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products or services to you. This information includes our transactions and other experiences with you such as your
 
(continued on next page)
 


 


Van Kampen Municipal Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
assets and account history. Please note that, even if you choose to limit our affiliated companies from using certain personal information about you that we may share with them for marketing their products and services to you, we may still share such personal information about you with them, including our transactions and experiences with you, for other purposes as permitted under applicable law.
 
6. How Can You Send Us an Opt-Out Instruction?
 
If you wish to limit our sharing of certain personal information about you with our affiliated companies for “eligibility purposes” and for our affiliated companies’ use in marketing products and services to you as described in this notice, you may do so by:
 
  •   Calling us at (800) 341-2929
Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (EST)
 
 
  •   Writing to us at the following address:
Van Kampen Closed-End Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 
 
If you choose to write to us, your written request should include: your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your request, we require that the request be provided by you directly and not through a third party. Once you have informed us about your privacy preferences, your opt-out preference will remain in effect with respect to this Policy (as it may be amended) until you notify us otherwise. If you are a joint account owner, we will accept instructions from any one of you and apply those instructions to the entire account. Please allow approximately 30 days from our receipt of your opt-out for your instructions to become effective.
 
Please understand that if you opt-out, you and any joint account holders may not receive certain Van Kampen or our affiliated companies’ products and services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.
 
If you have more than one account with us or our affiliates, you may receive multiple privacy policies from us, and would need to follow the directions stated in each particular policy for each account you have with us.
 
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Van Kampen Municipal Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT
 
This section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a Vermont address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.
 
The State of Vermont requires financial institutions to obtain your consent prior to sharing personal information that they collect about you with affiliated companies and nonaffiliated third parties other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties or other affiliated companies unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information (“opt-in”).
 
If you wish to receive offers for investment products and services offered by or through other affiliated companies, please notify us in writing at the following address:
 
      Van Kampen Closed-End Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 
 
Your authorization should include: your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-in applies and should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your authorization, we require that the authorization be provided by you directly and not through a third-party.
 
 
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
www.vankampen.com
 
Copyright ©2009 Van Kampen Funds Inc.
All rights reserved. Member FINRA/SIPC
 
VKQANN 12/09
IU09-05317P-Y10/09
(VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO)
 


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a)     The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust or a third party.
(b)   No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
 
(c)   Due to personnel changes at the Adviser, the general counsel’s designee set forth in Exhibit C was amended in April 2009. Both editions of Exhibit C are attached.
 
(d)   Not applicable.
 
(e)   Not applicable.
 
(f)    
  (1)   The Trust’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 12(1).
 
  (2)   Not applicable.
 
  (3)   Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined that it has three “audit committee financial experts” serving on its audit committee, each of whom are “independent” Trustees : Rod Dammeyer, Jerry Choate and R. Craig Kennedy. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

 


 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g). Based on fees billed for the periods shown:
2009
                 
    Registrant   Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees
  $ 37,945       N/A  
 
               
Non-Audit Fees
               
Audit-Related Fees
  $ 415 (3)   $ 1,110,000 (2)
Tax Fees
  $ 2,750 (4)   $ 0  
All Other Fees
  $ 0     $ 0  
Total Non-Audit Fees
  $ 3,165     $ 1,110,000  
 
               
Total
  $ 41,110     $ 1,110,000  
2008
                 
    Registrant   Covered Entities(1)
Audit Fees
  $ 37,945       N/A  
 
               
Non-Audit Fees
               
Audit-Related Fees
  $ 415 (3)   $ 215,000 (2)
Tax Fees
  $ 2,750 (4)   $ 0
All Other Fees
  $ 0     $ 0  
Total Non-Audit Fees
  $ 3,165     $ 215,000  
 
               
Total
  $ 41,110     $ 215,000  
 
N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.
 
(1)   Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.
 
(2)   Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities’ and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically attestation services provided in connection with a SAS 70 Report.
 
(3)   Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Registrant, specifically annual agreed upon procedures for rating agencies.
 
(4)   Tax Fees represent tax advice and compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant’s tax.

 


 

(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:
JOINT AUDIT COMMITTEE
AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES
OF THE
VAN KAMPEN FUNDS
AS ADOPTED JULY 23, 2003 AND AMENDED MAY 26, 20041
1. STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES
     The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.2
     The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee (“specific pre-approval”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
     For both types of pre-approval, the Audit Committee will consider whether such services are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will also consider whether the Independent Auditors are best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient services, for reasons such as its familiarity with the Fund’s business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile and other factors, and whether the service might enhance the Fund’s ability to manage or control risk or improve audit quality. All such factors will be considered as a whole, and no one factor should necessarily be determinative.
     The Audit Committee is also mindful of the relationship between fees for audit and non-audit services in deciding whether to pre-approve any such services and may determine for each fiscal year, the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related and Tax services for the Fund (including any Audit-related or Tax service fees for Covered Entities that were subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services for the Fund (including any such services for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval).
     The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval
 
1   This Joint Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”), amended as of the date above, supercedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been amended from time to time.
 
2   Terms used in this Policy and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings as defined in the Joint Audit Committee Charter.

 


 

from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.
     The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management.
     The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.
2. Delegation
     As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
3. Audit Services
     The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will monitor the Audit services engagement as necessary, but no less than on a quarterly basis, and will also approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.
     In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.
     The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).
4. Audit-related Services
     Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements or, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities’ financial statements, or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

 


 

     The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).
5. Tax Services
     The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services. Hence, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those Tax services that have historically been provided by the Independent Auditors, that the Audit Committee has reviewed and believes would not impair the independence of the Independent Auditors, and that are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence. The Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the Independent Auditors in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the Independent Auditors, the sole business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee will consult with Director of Tax or outside counsel to determine that the tax planning and reporting positions are consistent with this policy.
     Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3. All Tax services involving large and complex transactions not listed in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated), including tax services proposed to be provided by the Independent Auditors to any executive officer or trustee/director/managing general partner of the Fund, in his or her individual capacity, where such services are paid for by the Fund (generally applicable only to internally managed investment companies).
6. All Other Services
     The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
     The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).
     A list of the SEC’s prohibited non-audit services is attached to this policy as Appendix B.5. The SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.
7. Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts
     Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services. For each fiscal year, the Audit Committee may determine the appropriate ratio between the total amount of fees for Audit, Audit-related, and Tax services for the Fund (including any Audit-related or Tax services fees for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval), and the total amount of fees for certain permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services for the Fund (including any such services for Covered Entities subject to pre-approval).

 


 

8. Procedures
     All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.
     The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. A sample report is included as Appendix B.7. Both the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer or any member of management.
9. Additional Requirements
     The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.
10. Covered Entities
     Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s). Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. This list of Covered Entities would include:
  -   Van Kampen Investments Inc.
 
  -   Van Kampen Asset Management
 
  -   Van Kampen Advisors Inc.
 
  -   Van Kampen Funds Inc.
 
  -   Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.
 
  -   Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
 
  -   Morgan Stanley Trust Company
 
  -   Morgan Stanley Investment Management Ltd.
 
  -   Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company
 
  -   Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Company Ltd.
(e)(2) Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services

 


 

are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (included herein).
(f) Not applicable.
 
(g) See table above.
(h) The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence in performing audit services.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
(a) The Trust has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are: R. Craig Kennedy, Jerry Choate and Rod Dammeyer.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
(a) Please refer to Item #1.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
The Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item is not applicable to the Trust.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. As of the date of this report, the Fund is managed by members of the Municipal Fixed Income team. The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. Current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the overall execution of the strategy of the Fund are Thomas Byron, a Vice President of the Adviser, Robert J. Stryker, a Vice President of the Adviser and Robert W. Wimmel, an Executive Director of the Adviser.
Mr. Byron has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1981 and began managing the Fund in September 2000. Mr. Stryker has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1994 and began managing the Fund in December 2009. Mr. Wimmel has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 1996 and began managing the Fund in November 2001.
The composition of the team may change from time to time.
OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
As of December 7, 2009:
Mr. Byron managed 27 registered investment companies with a total of approximately $11.0 billion in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies; and two other accounts with a total of approximately $29.0 million in assets.
Mr. Stryker managed 32 registered investment companies with a total of approximately $11.9 billion in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies; and two other accounts with a total of approximately $29.0 million in assets.

 


 

Mr. Wimmel managed 28 registered investment companies with a total of approximately $11.7 billion in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than registered investment companies; two other accounts with a total of approximately $29.0 million in assets.
Because the portfolio managers manages assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser’s employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans. The portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others. If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaged in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. The Adviser has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS COMPENSATION STRUCTURE
Portfolio managers receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprised of a cash bonus and several deferred compensation programs described below. The methodology used to determine portfolio manager compensation is applied across all accounts managed by the portfolio manager.
BASE SALARY COMPENSATION. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.
DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation.
Discretionary compensation can include:
- Cash Bonus;
- Morgan Stanley’s Long-Term Incentive Compensation Program awards — a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock that are subject to vesting and other conditions;
- Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP) awards — a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation and notionally invests it in designated funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. The award is subject to vesting and other conditions. Portfolio managers must notionally invest a minimum of 25% to a maximum of 100% of their IMAP deferral account into a combination of the designated open-end funds they manage that are included in the IMAP Fund menu. For 2008 awards, a clawback provision was implemented that could be triggered if the individual engages in conduct detrimental to the Advisor or its affiliates.
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans — voluntary programs that permit certain employees to elect to defer a portion of their discretionary year-end compensation or notionally invest the deferred amount across a range of designated investment funds, including funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates.
Several factors determine discretionary compensation, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances. In order of relative importance, these factors include:
- Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for one-, three- and five-year periods measured against an appropriate securities market index (or indices) for the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Other funds/accounts managed by the same portfolio manager may be measured against this same index and same rankings or ratings, if appropriate, or against other indices and other rankings or ratings that are deemed more appropriate given the size and/or style of such funds/accounts as set forth in such funds’/accounts’ disclosure materials and guidelines. The assets managed by the portfolio manager in funds, pooled investment vehicles and other accounts are described in “Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager” above. Generally, the greatest weight is placed on the three- and five-year periods.

 


 

- Revenues generated by the investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager.
- Contribution to the business objectives of the Adviser.
- The dollar amount of assets managed by the portfolio manager.
- Market compensation survey research by independent third parties.
- Other qualitative factors, such as contributions to client objectives.
- Performance of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., and the overall performance of the investment team(s) of which the portfolio manager is a member.
SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
As of December 7, 2009, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fund.
Item 9. Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
                                 
                    Total Number of    
                    Shares Purchased   Maximum Number
                    as   of Shares that may
                    Part of Publicly   yet be Purchased
    Total Number of   Average Price   Announced Plans   Under the Plans or
Period   Shares Purchased   Paid per Share   or Programs   Programs
November
    8,600       9.36       8,600       3,325,528  
December
                      3,325,528  
January
                      3,325,528  
February
                      3,325,528  
March
                      3,325,528  
April
                      3,325,528  
May
                      3,325,528  
June
                      3,325,528  
July
                      3,325,528  
August
                      3,325,528  
September
                      3,325,528  
October
                      3,325,528  
The Trust expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, subject to review by the Board of Trustees.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not Applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) The Trust’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

 


 

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(1) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto.
(2)(a) A certification for the Principal Executive Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.
(2)(b) A certification for the Principal Financial Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Van Kampen Municipal Trust
         
By:
  /s/ Edward C. Wood III
 
   
Name:
  Edward C. Wood III    
Title:
  Principal Executive Officer    
Date:
  December 17, 2009    
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
By:
  /s/ Edward C. Wood III
 
   
Name:
  Edward C. Wood III    
Title:
  Principal Executive Officer    
Date:
  December 17, 2009    
 
       
By:
  /s/ Stuart N. Schuldt
 
   
Name:
  Stuart N. Schuldt    
Title:
  Principal Financial Officer    
Date:
  December 17, 2009