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: 811-07109 Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald E. Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000 Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2006 Date of reporting period: April 30, 2006 Item 1 - Report to Shareholders
Welcome, Shareholder:
In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities performed during the semiannual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Trust's financial statements and a list of Trust investments.
Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Trust will achieve its investment objective. The Trust is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Trust will decline and, therefore, the value of the Trust's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Trust. |
Fund Report | |
For the six months ended April 30, 2006 | |
Market Conditions
The U.S. economy navigated a number of challenges and continued to grow during the reporting period, with particular strong expansion in 2006. Although the Gulf Coast hurricanes resulted in unprecedented devastation, the negative impact on the economy was less far-reaching than many had originally anticipated. Even sharply higher energy prices failed to interrupt the positive economic momentum.
In 2006, developing weakness in the real estate sector and elevated commodity prices weighed on sentiment. Yet, strong manufacturing surveys, buoyant consumer confidence and positive employment data pointed toward steady growth in real gross domestic product. While sustained higher energy costs began to push some prices upward, headline measures of inflation remained largely stable.
Given the economy’s solid growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (the ‘‘Fed’’) continued to raise the federal funds target rate. Through four increases of 25 basis points each, the Fed brought the rate from 3.75 percent to 4.75 percent during the period. Yields on short-term municipal bonds followed the target rate and rose steadily. In contrast, the yields of long-term bonds initially declined before moving higher in April. Representative yields on 30-year AAA rated municipal bonds declined from 4.60 percent in October 2005 to a low of 4.30 percent in February, before ending the period at 4.55 percent. Accordingly, the slope of the municipal yield curve continued to flatten as the difference between short-term and long-term interest rates narrowed.
Demand for municipal bonds strengthened among individual and institutional investors alike. Meanwhile, municipal bond supply dropped significantly as the period progressed. New issue volume continued to be robust in the final months of 2005, supporting the record pace of issuance during the calendar year (more than $400 billion). However, volume in the first four months of 2006 fell by nearly 25 percent compared to the same period in 2005. The decline was largely attributable to a slowdown in refundings, which dropped by more than 55 percent as rising interest rates discouraged municipalities from refinancing debt. Improved fiscal conditions among state and local governments also contributed to less significant borrowing needs. Bonds backed by insurance fell to under 50 percent of issuance in 2006, from nearly 60 percent in 2005. Issuers in California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois accounted for over 40 percent of the total underwriting volume in 2006.
Reflecting declining supply and sustained demand, municipal bonds outperformed U.S. Treasuries with comparable maturities. That said, the relative attractiveness of tax-exempt bonds ebbed somewhat, and the 30-year municipal-to-Treasury yield ratio steadily declined from 97 to 88 percent. (The municipal-to-Treasury yield ratio measures the relative attractiveness of the two sectors. The higher the ratio, the greater the attractiveness of municipal yields relative to Treasury yields.)
Performance Analysis
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2006, the net asset value of Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (IMS) decreased from $15.23 to $15.04 per share. Based on this change plus reinvestment of tax-free dividends totaling $0.315 per share, a
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short-term capital gain distribution of $0.029375 per share and a long-term capital gain distribution of $0.164926 per share, the Trust’s total NAV return was 2.36 percent. IMS’s value on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) moved from $13.80 to $14.05 per share during the same period. Based on this change plus reinvestment of dividends and distributions, the Trust’s total market return was 5.60 percent. IMS’s NYSE market price was at a 6.58 percent discount to its NAV. During the fiscal period, the Trust purchased and retired 144,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average market discount of 7.32 percent. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
Monthly dividends for the second quarter of 2006, declared in March, were unchanged at $0.0525 per share. The dividend reflects the current level of the Trust’s net investment income. IMS’s level of undistributed net investment income was $0.104 per share on April 30, 2006, versus $0.101 per share six months earlier.1
In anticipation of continued Fed tightening and generally higher interest rates, the Trust made modest ongoing adjustments to its portfolio to reduce volatility. For example, a U.S. Treasury futures strategy was used to reduce the portfolio’s duration,* as a hedge against rising rates. At the end of April, the Trust’s option-adjusted duration was 7.0 years. This duration positioning tempered the Trust’s total returns when rates declined, but helped total returns when rates rose.
All the long-term holdings in the Trust were guaranteed by AAA rated insurance providers as of the end of the period. Purchases during the period included bonds with maturities in the 25- to 30-year range and defensive characteristics. Investments continued to emphasize essential service sectors such as education, transportation, and water and sewer. The Trust also favored bonds with strong in-state investor demand. Reflecting a commitment to diversification, the Trust’s net assets of approximately $102 million were invested among 12 long-term sectors and 50 credits.
The Trust’s procedure for reinvesting all dividends and distributions on common shares is through purchases in the open market. This method helps support the market value of the Trust’s shares. In addition, we would like to remind you that the Trustees have approved a procedure whereby the Trust may, when appropriate, purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or net asset value, whichever is lower at the time of purchase.
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. |
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. |
1 Income earned by certain securities in the portfolio may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT). |
* A measure of the sensitivity of a bond’s price to changes in interest rates, expressed in years. Each year of duration represents an expected 1 percent change in the price of a bond for every 1 percent change in interest rates. The longer a bond’s duration, the greater the effect of interest-rate movements on its price. Typically, trusts with shorter durations perform better in rising-interest-rate environments, while trusts with longer durations perform better when rates decline. |
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TOP FIVE SECTORS | ||||||
Transportation | 18.4 | % | ||||
Water & Sewer | 16.2 | |||||
Public Facilities | 11.4 | |||||
Electric | 10.3 | |||||
General Obligation | 8.0 | |||||
CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS | ||||||
Ambac | 28.0 | % | ||||
FGIC | 22.0 | |||||
MBIA | 21.7 | |||||
FSA | 19.6 | |||||
XLCA | 6.6 | |||||
AGC | 2.1 | |||||
Data as of April 30, 2006. Subject to change daily. All percentages for top five sectors are as a percentage of net assets applicable to common shareholders. All percentages for credit enhancements are as a percentage of total long-term investments. These data are provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. |
For More Information About
Portfolio Holdings
Each Morgan Stanley 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. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to trust shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley trust also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust’s first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
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Distribution by Maturity | |
(% of Long-Term Portfolio) As of April 30, 2006 | |
Weighted Average Maturity: 18 Years(a)
(a) | Where applicable maturities reflect mandatory tenders, puts and call dates. |
Portfolio structure is subject to change. |
Geographic Summary of Investments
Based on Market Value as a Percent of Total Investments
Arizona | 2.6 | % | ||||
California | 10.6 | |||||
Colorado | 5.0 | |||||
District of Columbia | 3.1 | |||||
Florida | 10.1 | |||||
Hawaii | 4.2 | |||||
Illinois | 8.7 | % | ||||
Kansas | 1.8 | |||||
Maryland | 1.1 | |||||
Massachusetts | 5.6 | |||||
Michigan | 4.1 | |||||
Missouri | 0.4 | |||||
New Jersey | 4.1 | % | ||||
New York | 13.9 | |||||
Ohio | 3.1 | |||||
Oregon | 1.2 | |||||
Pennsylvania | 1.0 | |||||
South Carolina | 3.1 | |||||
Texas | 12.7 | % | ||||
Virginia | 1.0 | |||||
Washington | 2.1 | |||||
Wisconsin | 1.5 | |||||
Joint exemptions* | (1.0 | ) | ||||
Total† | 100.0 | % | ||||
* | Joint exemptions have been included in each geographic location. |
† | Does not include open short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $15,658,984 with unrealized appreciation of $157,205. |
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Call and Cost (Book) Yield Structure | |
(Based on Long-Term Portfolio) As of April 30, 2006 | |
Years Bonds Callable—Weighted Average Call Protection: 6 Years
Cost (Book) Yield(b)—Weighted Average Book Yield: 5.0%
(a) | May include issues initially callable in previous years. |
(b) | Cost or ‘‘book’’ yield is the annual income earned on a portfolio investment based on its original purchase price before the Trust's operating expenses. For example, the Trust is earning a book yield of 6.6% on 4% of the long-term portfolio that is callable in 2006. |
Portfolio structure is subject to change. |
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Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Investment Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Trust’s Administrator under the Administration Agreement, including accounting, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Investment Adviser’s expense. (The Investment Adviser and the Administrator together are referred to as the ‘‘Adviser’’ and the Advisory and Administration Agreements together are referred to as the ‘‘Management Agreement.’’) The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as reported to the Board by Lipper Inc. (‘‘Lipper’’).
The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers, and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide the administrative and advisory services to the Trust. The Board determined that the Adviser’s portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Trust. The Board also concluded that the overall quality of the advisory and administrative services was satisfactory.
Performance Relative to Comparable Funds Managed by Other Advisers
On a regular basis, the Board reviews the performance of all funds in the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, including the Trust, compared to their peers, paying specific attention to the underperforming funds. In addition, the Board specifically reviewed the Trust’s performance for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended November 30, 2005, as shown in a report provided by Lipper (the ‘‘Lipper Report’’), compared to the performance of comparable funds selected by Lipper (the ‘‘performance peer group’’). The Board considered that although the Trust invests in insured municipal securities, Lipper places the Trust in a peer group of funds that invest in uninsured municipal securities, which results in an unfavorable comparison for the Trust when uninsured portfolio securities outperform insured securities (such as those owned by the Trust) in a low interest rate environment. The Board also discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Trust and concluded that the Trust’s performance was acceptable.
Fees Relative to Other Proprietary Funds Managed by the Adviser with Comparable
Investment Strategies
The Board reviewed the advisory and administrative fee (together, the ‘‘management fee’’) rate paid by the Trust under the Management Agreement. The Board noted that the management fee rate was comparable to the management fee rates charged by the Adviser to other proprietary funds it manages with investment strategies comparable to those of the Trust.
Fees and Expenses Relative to Comparable Funds Managed by Other Advisers
The Board reviewed the management fee rate and total expense ratio of the Trust as compared to the average management fee rate and average total expense ratio for funds, selected by Lipper (the ‘‘expense peer group’’),
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managed by other advisers with investment strategies comparable to those of the Trust, as shown in the Lipper Report. The Board concluded that the Trust’s management fee rate and total expense ratio were competitive with those of its expense peer group.
Breakpoints and Economies of Scale
The Board reviewed the structure of the Trust’s management fee schedule under the Management Agreement and noted that it does not include any breakpoints. The Board considered that the Trust is a closed-end fund and, therefore, that the Trust’s assets are not likely to grow with new sales or grow significantly as a result of capital appreciation. The Board concluded that economies of scale for the Trust were not a factor that needed to be considered at the present time.
Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates
The Board considered information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and affiliates during the last year from their relationship with the Trust and during the last two years from their relationship with the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the profitability of the Adviser and affiliates. Based on its review of the information it received, the Board concluded that the profits earned by the Adviser and affiliates were not excessive in light of the advisory, administrative and other services provided to the Trust.
Fall-Out Benefits
The Board considered so-called ‘‘fall-out benefits’’ derived by the Adviser and affiliates from their relationship with the Trust and the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex, such as commissions on the purchase and sale of Trust shares and ‘‘float’’ benefits derived from handling of checks for purchases and sales of Trust shares, through a broker-dealer affiliate of the Adviser. The Board concluded that the float benefits were relatively small and that the commissions were competitive with those of other broker-dealers.
Soft Dollar Benefits
The Board considered whether the Adviser realizes any benefits from commissions paid to brokers who execute securities transactions for the Trust (‘‘soft dollars’’). The Board noted that the Trust invests only in fixed income securities, which do not generate soft dollars.
Adviser Financially Sound and Financially Capable of Meeting the Trust’s Needs
The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board noted that the Adviser’s operations remain profitable, although increased expenses in recent years have reduced the Adviser’s profitability. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement.
Historical Relationship Between the Trust and the Adviser
The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Trust and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for managing the Trust’s operations and the Board’s confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that it is beneficial for the Trust to continue its relationship with the Adviser.
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Other Factors and Current Trends
The Board considered the controls and procedures adopted and implemented by the Adviser and monitored by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer and concluded that the conduct of business by the Adviser indicates a good faith effort on its part to adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of the Trust’s business.
General Conclusion
After considering and weighing all of the above factors, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year.
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Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Portfolio of Investments April 30, 2006 (unaudited)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS | COUPON RATE | MATURITY DATE | VALUE | |||||||||||||||
Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (95.1%) | ||||||||||||||||||
General Obligation (8.0%) | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 2,000 | Huntington Beach Union High School District, California, Ser 2004 (FSA) | 5.00 | % | 08/01/26 | $ | 2,074,500 | |||||||||||
1,000 | San Francisco City & County, California, Laguna Honda Hospital Ser 2005 I (FSA) | 5.00 | 06/15/30 | 1,028,530 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Honolulu City & County, Hawaii, ROLS RR II R 237-3 (MBIA) | 6.576 | ‡ | 03/01/26 | 1,102,630 | |||||||||||||
730 | DuPage County Community Unit School District 200, Illinois, Wheaton Warrenville Ser 2003 C (FSA) | 5.25 | 10/01/22 | 774,705 | ||||||||||||||
3,000 | Illinois, First Ser 2002 (MBIA) | 5.375 | 07/01/21 | 3,191,490 | ||||||||||||||
7,730 | 8,171,855 | |||||||||||||||||
Educational Facilities Revenue (6.1%) | ||||||||||||||||||
2,000 | District of Columbia, National Academy of Sciences Ser 1999 A (Ambac) | 5.00 | 01/01/19 | 2,064,580 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Broward County Educational Facilities Authority, Florida, Nova Southeastern University Ser 2006 (AGC) | 5.00 | 04/01/31 | 2,065,520 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | University of Medicine & Dentistry, New Jersey, Ser A COPs (MBIA) | 5.00 | 09/01/17 | 1,041,740 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Southwest Higher Education Authority, Texas, Southern Methodist University Ser 2002 (Ambac) | 5.50 | 10/01/18 | 1,077,870 | ||||||||||||||
6,000 | 6,249,710 | |||||||||||||||||
Electric Revenue (10.3%) | ||||||||||||||||||
3,500 | Southern California Public Power Authority, Mangolia Power Ser A 2003 (Ambac) | 5.00 | 07/01/21 | 3,631,075 | ||||||||||||||
1,200 | Arkansas River Power Authority, Colorado, Power Ser 2006 (XLCA) | 5.25 | 10/01/40 | 1,262,448 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Long Island Power Authority, New York, Ser 2006 A (FGIC) | 5.00 | 12/01/25 | 1,042,220 | ||||||||||||||
3,000 | South Carolina Public Service Authority, 2003 Refg Ser A (Ambac) | 5.00 | 01/01/21 | 3,117,030 | ||||||||||||||
1,475 | Wisconsin Public Power Inc, Power Supply Ser 2005 A (Ambac) | 5.00 | 07/01/37 | 1,511,447 | ||||||||||||||
10,175 | 10,564,220 | |||||||||||||||||
Hospital Revenue (5.8%) | ||||||||||||||||||
3,000 | New York City Health & Hospitals Corporation, New York, Health 2003 Ser B (Ambac)† | 5.25 | 02/15/21 | 3,171,480 | ||||||||||||||
2,600 | New York State Dormitory Authority, FHA Insured Mtge 2004 Ser A (FSA) | 5.25 | 08/15/19 | 2,754,856 | ||||||||||||||
5,600 | 5,926,336 | |||||||||||||||||
Industrial Development/Pollution Control Revenue (3.0%) | ||||||||||||||||||
3,000 | Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Hawaiian Electric Co Inc Refg Ser 2003 B (AMT) (XLCA) | 5.00 | 12/01/22 | 3,064,140 | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
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Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Portfolio of Investments April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS | COUPON RATE | MATURITY DATE | VALUE | |||||||||||||||
Mortgage Revenue – Multi-Family (0.7%) | ||||||||||||||||||
$ | 745 | Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, California, Refg Ser 1994 A (Ambac) | 6.55 | % | 01/01/27 | $ | 746,945 | |||||||||||
Public Facilities Revenue (11.4%) | ||||||||||||||||||
4,000 | Broward County School Board, Florida, Ser 2001 A COPs (FSA) | 5.00 | 07/01/26 | 4,101,120 | ||||||||||||||
1,700 | Jacksonville, Florida, Excise Tax Refg Ser 2002 (AMT) (MBIA) | 5.25 | 10/01/20 | 1,783,487 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Massachusetts School Building Authority, Dedicated Sales Tax Ser 2005 A (FSA) | 5.00 | 08/15/30 | 2,074,400 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Michigan Municipal Bond Authority, Ser 1994 A (FGIC) | 6.00 | 12/01/13 | 2,023,580 | ||||||||||||||
1,120 | Oregon State Department of Administrative Services, Ser 2005 B COPs (FGIC) | 5.00 | 11/01/22 | 1,166,010 | ||||||||||||||
510 | Laredo ISD Public Facilities Corporation, Texas, Ser 2004 C (Ambac) | 5.00 | 08/01/24 | 519,991 | ||||||||||||||
11,330 | 11,668,588 | |||||||||||||||||
Recreational Facilities Revenue (6.7%) | ||||||||||||||||||
2,000 | Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Preservation 2000 Ser 1999 A (FGIC) | 5.25 | 07/01/13 | 2,103,600 | ||||||||||||||
2,500 | Metropolitan Pier & Explosion Authority, Illinois, McCormick Place Ser 2002 A (MBIA) | 5.25 | 06/15/42 | 2,624,200 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Baltimore, Maryland, Convention Center Hotel Ser 2006 A (XLCA) | 5.25 | 09/01/39 | 1,056,750 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Hamilton County, Ohio, Sales Tax Ser 2000 (Ambac) | 5.25 | 12/01/32 | 1,047,220 | ||||||||||||||
6,500 | 6,831,770 | |||||||||||||||||
Resource Recovery Revenue (2.9%) | ||||||||||||||||||
2,750 | Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, SEMASS Ser 2001 A (MBIA) | 5.625 | 01/01/16 | 2,982,100 | ||||||||||||||
Transportation Facilities Revenue (18.4%) | ||||||||||||||||||
1,500 | Phoenix Civic Improvement Corporation, Arizona, Sr Lien Airport Ser 2002 B (AMT) (FGIC) | 5.75 | 07/01/18 | 1,614,645 | ||||||||||||||
3,000 | Denver City & County, Colorado, Airport Refg Ser 2000 A (AMT) (Ambac) | 6.00 | 11/15/18 | 3,216,990 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, District of Columbia & Virginia, Ser 2004 C-1 (AMT) (FSA) # | 5.00 | 10/01/20 | 1,027,990 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Chicago, Illinois, O'Hare Int'l Airport Passenger Fee Ser 2001 A (AMT) (Ambac) | 5.375 | 01/01/32 | 2,056,800 | ||||||||||||||
500 | Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Metropolitan Highway ROLS RR II R 536 (MBIA) | 8.116 | ‡ | 01/01/37 | 526,720 | |||||||||||||
3,000 | New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Ser 2003 A (FGIC) | 5.00 | 01/01/27 | 3,095,580 | ||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
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Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Portfolio of Investments April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS | COUPON RATE | MATURITY DATE | VALUE | |||||||||||||||
$ | 2,000 | Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York, State Service Contract Ser 2002 A (MBIA) | 5.50 | % | 01/01/19 | $ | 2,160,880 | |||||||||||
1,000 | Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, 2004 Ser A (Ambac) | 5.00 | 12/01/34 | 1,030,590 | ||||||||||||||
3,000 | Dallas Area Rapid Transportation, Texas, Ser 2001 (Ambac) | 5.00 | 12/01/26 | 3,066,600 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Harris County, Texas, Toll Road Sr Lien Ser 2005 A (FSA) | 5.25 | 08/15/35 | 1,040,510 | ||||||||||||||
18,000 | 18,837,305 | |||||||||||||||||
Water & Sewer Revenue (16.2%) | ||||||||||||||||||
1,000 | Cottonwood, Arizona, Water Sr Lien Ser 2006 (XLCA) | 5.00 | 07/01/35 | 1,026,830 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, California, Water 2004 Ser C (MBIA) | 5.00 | 07/01/25 | 1,037,630 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | Kansas Development Finance Authority, Public Water Supply Ser 2000-2 (Ambac) | 5.50 | 04/01/21 | 1,060,460 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Detroit, Michigan, Water Supply Sr Lien Ser 2001 A (FGIC) | 5.00 | 07/01/30 | 2,036,800 | ||||||||||||||
1,000 | New York City Municipal Water Finance Authority, New York, 2005 Ser C (MBIA) | 5.00 | 06/15/27 | 1,038,190 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Toledo, Ohio, Waterworks Impr & Refg Ser 1999 (FGIC) | 4.75 | 11/15/17 | 2,051,400 | ||||||||||||||
Houston, Texas, | ||||||||||||||||||
2,000 | Water & Sewer Jr Lien Refg Ser 2001 A (FSA) | 5.50 | 12/01/16 | 2,162,640 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | Combined Utility Refg 2004 Ser A (FGIC) | 5.25 | 05/15/23 | 2,112,040 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | San Antonio, Texas, Water & Refg Ser 2002 (FSA) | 5.00 | 05/15/28 | 2,042,300 | ||||||||||||||
2,000 | King County, Washington, Sewer Refg 2001 (FGIC) | 5.125 | 01/01/20 | 2,091,620 | ||||||||||||||
16,000 | 16,659,910 | |||||||||||||||||
Other Revenue (5.6%) | ||||||||||||||||||
2,000 | Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, California, Enhanced Asset Backed Ser 2005 A (FGIC) | 5.00 | 06/01/38 | 2,041,660 | ||||||||||||||
New York City Transitional Finance Authority, New York, | ||||||||||||||||||
2,000 | 2003 Ser D (MBIA) | 5.25 | 02/01/20 | 2,123,760 | ||||||||||||||
1,500 | 2004 Ser C (MBIA) | 5.00 | 02/01/21 | 1,561,020 | ||||||||||||||
5,500 | 5,726,440 | |||||||||||||||||
93,330 | Total Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (Cost $94,278,122) | 97,429,319 | ||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations (2.3%) | ||||||||||||||||||
500 | Colorado Education & Cultural Facilities Authority, National Jewish Federation Ser 2005 A-7 (Demand 05/01/06) | 3.81 | * | 07/01/29 | 500,000 | |||||||||||||
700 | Kansas Development Finance Authority, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System Inc Ser 2006 D (Demand 05/01/06) | 3.81 | * | 12/01/31 | 700,000 | |||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
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Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Portfolio of Investments April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT IN THOUSANDS | COUPON RATE | MATURITY DATE | VALUE | |||||||||||||||
$ | 400 | Missouri Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Cox Health Ser 1997 (MBIA) (Demand 05/01/06) | 3.77* | % | 06/01/15 | $400,000 | ||||||||||||
700 | Harris County Health Facilities Development Corporation, Texas, Methodist Hospital Ser 2005 B (Demand 05/01/06) | 3.81 | * | 12/01/32 | 700,000 | |||||||||||||
2,300 | Total Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Obligations (Cost $2,300,000) | 2,300,000 | ||||||||||||||||
$ | 95,630 | Total Investments (Cost $96,578,122) (a) (b) | 97.4 | % | 99,729,319 | |||||||||||||
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 2.6 | 2,696,050 | ||||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | 100.0 | % | $102,425,369 | |||||||||||||||
AMT | Alternative Minimum Tax. |
COPs | Certificates of Participation. |
ROLS | Reset Option Longs (Illiquid security). |
† | A portion of this security has been physically segregated in connection with open futures contracts in the amount of $65,000. |
‡ | Current coupon rate for inverse floating rate municipal obligation. This rate resets periodically as the auction rate on the related security changes. Positions in inverse floating rate municipal obligations have a total value of $1,629,350 which represents 1.6% of net assets applicable to common shareholders. |
* | Current coupon of variable rate demand obligation. |
# | Joint exemption in locations shown. |
(a) | Securities have been designated as collateral in an amount equal to $15,751,602 in connection with open futures contracts. |
(b) | The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes approximates the aggregate cost for book purposes. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $3,326,697 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $175,500, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $3,151,197. |
Bond Insurance: |
AGC | Assured Guaranty Corporation. |
Ambac | Ambac Assurance Corporation. |
FGIC | Financial Guaranty Insurance Company. |
FSA | Financial Security Assurance Inc. |
MBIA | Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corporation. |
XLCA | XL Capital Assurance Inc. |
Futures Contracts Open at April 30, 2006:
NUMBER OF CONTRACTS | LONG/SHORT | DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY MONTH AND YEAR | UNDERLYING FACE AMOUNT AT VALUE | UNREALIZED APPRECIATION | ||||||||||||||
125 | Short | U.S. Treasury Notes 5 Year June 2006 | $(13,019,531) | $108,055 | ||||||||||||||
25 | Short | U.S. Treasury Notes 10 Year June 2006 | (2,639,453) | 49,150 | ||||||||||||||
Total Unrealized Appreciation | $157,205 | |||||||||||||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
13
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Financial Statements
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2006 (unaudited)
Assets: | ||||||
Investments in securities, at value (cost $96,578,122) | $ | 99,729,319 | ||||
Cash | 135,018 | |||||
Receivable for: | ||||||
Interest | 1,565,637 | |||||
Investments sold | 1,199,881 | |||||
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 14,360 | |||||
Total Assets | 102,644,215 | |||||
Liabilities: | ||||||
Payable for: | ||||||
Common shares of beneficial interest repurchased | 73,147 | |||||
Variation margin | 23,828 | |||||
Investment advisory fee | 22,852 | |||||
Administration fee | 6,771 | |||||
Transfer agent fee | 2,638 | |||||
Accrued expenses and other payables | 89,610 | |||||
Total Liabilities | 218,846 | |||||
Preferred shares of beneficial interest (1,000,000 shares authorized of non-participating $.01 par value, none issued) | — | |||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 102,425,369 | ||||
Composition of Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||||
Common shares of beneficial interest (unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value, 6,811,891 shares outstanding) | $ | 98,004,713 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation | 3,308,402 | |||||
Accumulated undistributed net investment income | 710,260 | |||||
Accumulated undistributed net realized gain | 401,994 | |||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | $ | 102,425,369 | ||||
Net Asset Value Per Common Share ($102,425,369 divided by 6,811,891 common shares outstanding) | $ | 15.04 | ||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
14
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Financial Statements continued
Statement of Operations
For the six months ended April 30, 2006 (unaudited)
Net Investment Income: | ||||||
Interest Income | $ | 2,434,360 | ||||
Expenses | ||||||
Investment advisory fee | 139,978 | |||||
Administration fee | 41,475 | |||||
Professional fees | 34,190 | |||||
Shareholder reports and notices | 9,640 | |||||
Registration fees | 9,324 | |||||
Transfer agent fees and expenses | 4,892 | |||||
Trustees' fees and expenses | 3,512 | |||||
Custodian fees | 3,241 | |||||
Other | 9,193 | |||||
Total Expenses | 255,445 | |||||
Less: expense offset | (2,149 | ) | ||||
Net Expenses | 253,296 | |||||
Net Investment Income | 2,181,064 | |||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): | ||||||
Net Realized Gain on: | ||||||
Investments | 306,950 | |||||
Futures contracts | 360,226 | |||||
Net Realized Gain | 667,176 | |||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation on: | ||||||
Investments | (746,910 | ) | ||||
Futures contracts | (107,969 | ) | ||||
Net Depreciation | (854,879 | ) | ||||
Net Loss | (187,703 | ) | ||||
Net Increase | $ | 1,993,361 | ||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
15
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Financial Statements continued
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2006 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2005 | |||||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | $ | 2,181,064 | $ | 4,706,613 | ||||||
Net realized gain | 667,176 | 798,861 | ||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation | (854,879 | ) | (1,977,238 | ) | ||||||
Net Increase | 1,993,361 | 3,528,236 | ||||||||
Dividends and Distributions to Common Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (2,172,043 | ) | (4,491,879 | ) | ||||||
Net realized gain | (1,347,418 | ) | (238,789 | ) | ||||||
Total Dividends and Distributions | (3,519,461 | ) | (4,730,668 | ) | ||||||
Decrease from transactions in common shares of beneficial interest | (2,019,375 | ) | (4,764,492 | ) | ||||||
Net Decrease | (3,545,475 | ) | (5,966,924 | ) | ||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 105,970,844 | 111,937,768 | ||||||||
End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $710,260 and $701,239, respectively) | $ | 102,425,369 | $ | 105,970,844 | ||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements
16
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 2006 (unaudited)
1. Organization and Accounting Policies
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (the ‘‘Trust’’) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trust's investment objective is to provide current income which is exempt from federal income tax. The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 14, 1993 and commenced operations on February 28, 1994.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:
A. Valuation of Investments — (1) portfolio securities are valued by an outside independent pricing service approved by the Trustees. The pricing service uses both a computerized grid matrix of tax-exempt securities and evaluations by its staff, in each case based on information concerning market transactions and quotations from dealers which reflect the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. The portfolio securities are thus valued by reference to a combination of transactions and quotations for the same or other securities believed to be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue, call provisions, trading characteristics and other features deemed to be relevant. The Trustees believe that timely and reliable market quotations are generally not readily available for purposes of valuing tax-exempt securities and that the valuations supplied by the pricing service are more likely to approximate the fair value of such securities; (2) futures are valued at the latest sale price on the commodities exchange on which they trade unless it is determined that such price does not reflect their market value, in which case they will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees; and (3) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost.
B. Accounting for Investments — Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities. Interest income is accrued daily.
C. Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments or contracts based on financial indices at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Trust is required to pledge to the broker cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange. Pursuant to the contract, the Trust agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Trust as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Trust realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.
17
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
D. Federal Income Tax Policy — It is the Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable and nontaxable income to its shareholders. Accordingly, no federal income tax provision is required.
E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
F. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the ‘‘Investment Adviser’’), the Trust pays an advisory fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.27% to the Trust’s weekly total net assets.
Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the ‘‘Administrator’’), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Trust pays an administration fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Trust’s weekly total net assets.
3. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended April 30, 2006, aggregated $9,136,648 and $13,076,023, respectively.
Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator, is the Trust's transfer agent.
The Trust has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Trust who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the six months ended April 30, 2006, included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $2,876. At April 30, 2006, the Trust had an accrued pension liability of $46,915 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
The Trust has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the ‘‘Compensation Plan’’) which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he receives for serving on the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under
18
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Trust.
4. Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest
The Trust is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 non-participating preferred shares of beneficial interest having a par value of $.01 per share, in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Trustees, without approval of the common shareholders. The preferred shares have a liquidation value of $50,000 per share plus the redemption premium, if any, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, thereon to the date of distribution. The Trust may redeem such shares, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price of $50,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, thereon to the date of redemption.
The Trust is subject to certain restrictions relating to the preferred shares. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the Trust from declaring any distributions to common shareholders or purchasing common shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of preferred shares at liquidation value.
The preferred shares, which are entitled to one vote per share, generally vote with the common shares but vote separately as a class to elect two Trustees and on any matters affecting the rights of the preferred shares.
As of April 30, 2006, there were no preferred shares outstanding.
5. Common Shares of Beneficial Interest
Transactions in common shares of beneficial interest were as follows:
SHARES | PAR VALUE | CAPITAL PAID IN EXCESS OF PAR VALUE | ||||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2004 | 7,293,615 | $ | 72,936 | $ | 104,716,277 | |||||||||
Treasury shares purchased and retired (weighted average discount 8.12%)* | (337,724 | ) | (3,377 | ) | (4,761,115 | ) | ||||||||
Reclassification due to permanent book/tax differences | — | — | (633 | ) | ||||||||||
Balance, October 31, 2005 | 6,955,891 | 69,559 | 99,954,529 | |||||||||||
Treasury shares purchased and retired (weighted average discount 7.32%)* | (144,000 | ) | (1,440 | ) | (2,017,935 | ) | ||||||||
Balance, April 30, 2006 | 6,811,891 | $ | 68,119 | $ | 97,936,594 | |||||||||
* The Trustees have voted to retire the shares purchased.
19
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Notes to Financial Statements April 30, 2006 (unaudited) continued
6. Dividends to Common Shareholders
On March 28, 2006, the Trust declared the following dividends from net investment income:
AMOUNT PER SHARE | RECORD DATE | PAYABLE DATE | ||||||||
$0.0525 | May 5, 2006 | May 19, 2006 | ||||||||
$0.0525 | June 9, 2006 | June 23, 2006 | ||||||||
7. Expense Offset
The expense offset represents a reduction of custodian and transfer agent fees and expenses for earnings on cash balances maintained by the Trust.
8. Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments
The Trust may invest a portion of its assets in residual interest bonds, which are inverse floating rate municipal obligations. The prices of these securities are subject to greater market fluctuations during periods of changing prevailing interest rates than are comparable fixed rate obligations.
To hedge against adverse interest rate changes, the Trust may invest in financial futures contracts or municipal bond index futures contracts (‘‘futures contracts’’).
These futures contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying securities. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
9. Federal Income Tax Status
The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These ‘‘book/tax’’ differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in-capital.
As of October 31, 2005, the Trust had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to book amortization of discounts on debt securities and mark-to-market of open futures contracts.
20
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Financial Highlights
Selected ratios and per share data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED APRIL 30, 2006 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selected Per Share Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 15.23 | $ | 15.35 | $ | 15.52 | $ | 15.81 | $ | 15.90 | $ | 15.16 | |||||||||||||||
Income (loss) from investment operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income* | 0.32 | 0.66 | 0.64 | 0.71 | 0.74 | 0.78 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (0.02 | ) | (0.18 | ) | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.72 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total income from investment operations | 0.30 | 0.48 | 0.81 | 0.75 | 0.83 | 1.50 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less dividends and distributions from: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.32 | ) | (0.63 | ) | (0.74 | ) | (0.69 | ) | (0.72 | ) | (0.78 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net realized gain | (0.19 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.28 | ) | (0.39 | ) | (0.22 | ) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Total dividends and distributions | (0.51 | ) | (0.66 | ) | (1.02 | ) | (1.08 | ) | (0.94 | ) | (0.79 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Anti-dilutive effect of acquiring treasury shares* | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | 15.04 | $ | 15.23 | $ | 15.35 | $ | 15.52 | $ | 15.81 | $ | 15.90 | |||||||||||||||
Market value, end of period | $ | 14.05 | $ | 13.80 | $ | 14.03 | $ | 14.27 | $ | 14.29 | $ | 15.03 | |||||||||||||||
Total Return† | 5.60 | % (1) | 3.08 | % | 5.49 | % | 7.69 | % | 1.38 | % | 17.03 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses (before expense offset) | 0.49 | % (2) | 0.50 | % | 0.50 | % | 0.49 | % (3) | 0.49 | % (3) | 0.48 | % | |||||||||||||||
Net investment income | 4.21 | % (2) | 4.30 | % | 4.37 | % | 4.55 | % | 4.73 | % | 4.99 | % | |||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, end of period, in thousands | $102,425 | $105,971 | $111,938 | $116,767 | $122,853 | $126,692 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 9 | % (1) | 17 | % | 18 | % | 30 | % | 21 | % | 22 | % | |||||||||||||||
* | The per share amounts were computed using an average number of common shares outstanding during the period. |
† | Total return is based upon the current market value on the last day of each period reported. Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the prices obtained under the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan. Total return does not reflect brokerage commissions. |
(1) | Not annualized. |
(2) | Annualized. |
(3) | Does not reflect the effect of expense offset of 0.01% |
See Notes to Financial Statements
21
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities
Revised Investment Policy
On August 24, 2005, the Trustees of Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities (the ‘‘Trust’’) approved a change to the Trust's investment policy with respect to inverse floating rate municipal obligations whereby the Trust now would be permitted to invest up to 15% of its assets in inverse floating rate municipal obligations. The inverse floating rate municipal obligations in which the Trust will invest are typically created through a division of a fixed rate municipal obligation into two separate instruments, a short-term obligation and a long-term obligation. The interest rate on the short-term obligation is set at periodic auctions. The interest rate on the long-term obligation is the rate the issuer would have paid on the fixed income obligation: (i) plus the difference between such fixed rate and the rate on the short-term obligation, if the short-term rate is lower than the fixed rate; or (ii) minus such difference if the interest rate on the short-term obligation is higher than the fixed rate. The interest rates on these obligations generally move in the reverse direction of market interest rates. If market interest rates fall, the interest rate on the obligation will increase and if market interest rates increase, the interest rate on the obligation will fall. Inverse floating rate municipal obligations offer the potential for higher income than is available from fixed rate obligations of comparable maturity and credit rating. They also carry greater risks. In particular, the prices of inverse floating rate municipal obligations are more volatile, i.e., they increase and decrease in response to changes in interest rates to a greater extent than comparable fixed rate obligations.
22
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Trustees Michael Bozic Officers Charles A. Fiumefreddo Ronald E. Robison J. David Germany Dennis F. Shea Barry Fink Amy R. Doberman Carsten Otto Stefanie V. Chang Yu Francis J. Smith Mary E. Mullin Transfer Agent Morgan Stanley Trust Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Deloitte & Touche LLP Investment Adviser Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. The financial statements included herein have been taken from the records of the Trust without examination by the independent auditors and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon. Investments and services offered through Morgan Stanley DW Inc., member SIPC. © 2006 Morgan Stanley IMSRPT-38620RPT-RA06-00488P-Y04/06 | MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS | |
Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities Semiannual Report April 30, 2006 | ||
Item 2. Code of Ethics. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 6. Refer to Item 1. Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. Not applicable for semiannual reports. Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies Applicable only to reports covering periods ending on or after December 31, 2005. Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases REGISTRANT PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Period (a) Total Number (b) Average Price (c) Total Number (d) Maximum Number of Shares (or Paid per Share (or of Shares (or (or Approximate Units) Purchased Unit) Units) Purchased Dollar Value) of as Part of Shares (or Units) Publicly Announced that May Yet Be Plans or Programs Purchased Under the Plans or Programs - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 1, 2005-- November 30, 2005 21,200 13.7402 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December 1, 2005-- December 31, 2005 23,000 13.6765 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 1, 2006-- January 31, 2006 28,500 14.0717 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 1, 2006-- February 28, 2006 26,100 14.1915 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 1, 2006-- March 31, 2006 24,400 14.2952 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 1, 2006-- April 30, 2006 20,800 14.0941 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 144,000 14.0115 N/A N/A - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 2 (b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Item 12. Exhibits (a) Code of Ethics - Not applicable for semiannual reports. (b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT. 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer June 20, 2006 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer June 20, 2006 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer June 20, 2006 4 EXHIBIT 12 B1 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATIONS -------------- I, Ronald E. Robison, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 5 a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: June 20, 2006 /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer 6 EXHIBIT 12 B2 CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATIONS -------------- I, Francis Smith, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): 7 a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls over financial reporting. Date: June 20, 2006 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer 8 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended April 30, 2006 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: June 20, 2006 /s/ Ronald E. Robison --------------------------- Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities and will be retained by Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 9 SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR (the "Report") of the above-named issuer for the period ended April 30, 2006 that is accompanied by this certification, the undersigned hereby certifies that: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Issuer. Date: June 20, 2006 /s/ Francis Smith ---------------------- Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities and will be retained by Morgan Stanley Insured Municipal Securities and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. 10