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: 811-03159 Active Assets Money Trust (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code) Ronald E. Robison 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036 (Name and address of agent for service) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-296-6990 Date of fiscal year end: June 30, 2008 Date of reporting period: December 31, 2007 Item 1 - Report to Shareholders Welcome, Shareholder: In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Active Assets Money Trust 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 Fund's financial statements and a list of Fund investments. THIS MATERIAL MUST BE PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS FOR THE FUND BEING OFFERED. MARKET FORECASTS PROVIDED IN THIS REPORT MAY NOT NECESSARILY COME TO PASS. THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT A MUTUAL FUND WILL ACHIEVE ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE. AN INVESTMENT IN A MONEY MARKET FUND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. PLEASE SEE THE PROSPECTUS FOR MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT RISKS. FUND REPORT For the six months ended December 31, 2007 MARKET CONDITIONS Throughout most of the fiscal period under review, the majority of home sales and housing-related statistics were consistently lower than expected. New home sales for the month of November reached the lowest level since April 1995. U.S. economic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP), rose 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2007, well above the 3.8 percent posted during the second quarter. Despite the strong third-quarter GDP growth, the unemployment rate rose slightly for the six-month period. High energy costs, volatile financial markets and weak housing conditions all contributed to a decline in consumer confidence during the period. Financial markets grew increasingly volatile during the reporting period as the fallout from the troubles in the subprime mortgage sector spread across the broader fixed income and lending markets. Citing deteriorating financial market conditions and the negative impact that tighter credit conditions could have in restraining economic growth, the Federal Open Market Committee (the "Fed") reduced its federal funds target rate 50 basis points in September, with additional reductions of 25 basis points in both October and December. At its December 11 meeting, the Fed noted that strains in financial markets increased in recent weeks and that incoming data suggested economic growth was slowing. On December 12, seeking to further improve credit market liquidity, the Fed announced the creation of a Term Auction Facility (TAF) whereby term funds would be auctioned to depository institutions against a wide variety of collateral. TAF auctions are likely to continue for as long as credit market conditions warrant. PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS As of December 31, 2007, Active Assets Money Trust had net assets of approximately $5.83 billion and an average portfolio maturity of 61 days. For the six-month period ended December 31, 2007, the Fund provided a total return of 2.49 percent. For the seven-day period ended December 31, 2007, the Fund provided an effective annualized yield of 4.72 percent and a current yield of 4.62 percent, while its 30-day moving average yield for December was 4.63 percent. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Our strategy in managing the portfolio remained consistent with the Fund's long- term focus on preservation of capital and liquidity. Over the past six months, we sought to maintain the Fund's weighted average maturity primarily in the high 50- to low 60-day range given our expectation that the Fed would continue to reduce its target federal funds rate in order to improve credit market liquidity and to help insure that housing market deterioration would not spillover into the broader economy. We made purchases in the three-month and longer segment of the money market curve of the deposit liabilities and senior obligations of strong financial institutions and corporations. We barbelled these three-month and longer term trades with purchases of overnight repurchase agreements and two-month and shorter traditional asset backed commercial paper. 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 Fund in the future. 2 <Table> <Caption> PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION Commercial Paper 32.8% Certificates of Deposit 31.5 Floating Rate Notes 24.3 Repurchase Agreements 6.1 U.S. Government-Debenture Bonds 1.7 U.S. Government-Discount Notes 1.7 Corporate Bond Notes 1.6 Short-Term Bank Note 0.3 </Table> <Table> <Caption> MATURITY SCHEDULE 1 - 30 Days 37.5% 31 - 60 Days 21.6 61 - 90 Days 15.8 91 - 120 Days 8.7 121+ Days 16.4 </Table> Data as of December 31, 2007. Subject to change daily. All percentages for portfolio composition and maturity schedule are as a percentage of total 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. INVESTMENT STRATEGY THE FUND INVESTS IN HIGH QUALITY, SHORT-TERM DEBT OBLIGATIONS. IN SELECTING INVESTMENTS, THE "INVESTMENT ADVISER," MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC., SEEKS TO MAINTAIN THE FUND'S SHARE PRICE AT $1.00. THE SHARE PRICE REMAINING STABLE AT $1.00 MEANS THAT THE FUND WOULD PRESERVE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT. AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUND SEEKS TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND PROVIDES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS IN ITS SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL REPORTS WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE END OF THE FUND'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 FUND SHAREHOLDERS AND MAKES THESE REPORTS AVAILABLE ON ITS PUBLIC WEB SITE, WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM. EACH MORGAN STANLEY FUND ALSO FILES A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS WITH THE SEC FOR THE FUND'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 3 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. HOUSEHOLDING NOTICE TO REDUCE PRINTING AND MAILING COSTS, THE FUND ATTEMPTS TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATE MAILINGS TO THE SAME ADDRESS. THE FUND DELIVERS A SINGLE COPY OF CERTAIN SHAREHOLDER DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SHAREHOLDER REPORTS, PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY MATERIALS, TO INVESTORS WITH THE SAME LAST NAME WHO RESIDE AT THE SAME ADDRESS. YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE FOR AN UNLIMITED PERIOD OF TIME UNLESS YOU INSTRUCT US OTHERWISE. YOU CAN REQUEST MULTIPLE COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS BY CALLING (800) 869-NEWS, 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M., ET. ONCE OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER HAS RECEIVED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS, WE WILL BEGIN SENDING INDIVIDUAL COPIES FOR EACH ACCOUNT WITHIN 30 DAYS. 4 EXPENSE EXAMPLE As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur ongoing costs, including advisory fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 07/01/07 - 12/31/07. ACTUAL EXPENSES The first line of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period. HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES The second line of the table below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds that have transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads), and redemption fees, or exchange fees. <Table> <Caption> BEGINNING ENDING EXPENSES PAID ACCOUNT VALUE ACCOUNT VALUE DURING PERIOD* ------------- ------------- -------------- 07/01/07 - 07/01/07 12/31/07 12/31/07 ------------- ------------- -------------- Actual (2.49% return).......................... $1,000.00 $1,024.90 $2.35 Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses).................................... $1,000.00 $1,022.89 $2.35 </Table> - --------- * Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio of 0.46% multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 185**/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). ** Adjusted to reflect non-business days accruals 5 Active Assets Money Trust PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) <Table> <Caption> ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS DESCRIPTION PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial Paper (32.5%) Asset-Backed - Auto (1.0%) $ 45,000 New Center Asset Trust Series I............................. 5.88 - 6.19% 01/22/08 - 01/29/07 $ 44,824,125 15,000 New Center Asset Trust Series II............................ 6.19 01/23/08 14,943,625 -------------- 59,767,750 -------------- Asset-Backed - Consumer (7.5%) 31,755 Barton Capital LLC*............. 4.81 01/22/08 31,666,086 20,000 CRC Funding*.................... 5.22 02/07/08 19,894,550 177,655 Gemini Securitization Corp., LLC*.......................... 4.94 - 5.53 01/28/08 - 02/28/08 176,786,638 134,157 Old Line Funding, LLC*.......... 5.58 - 6.03 01/07/08 - 01/30/08 133,866,533 15,000 Thames Asset Global Securitization*............... 5.17 01/22/08 14,955,200 58,925 Thunder Bay Funding LLC*........ 5.63 - 5.93 01/17/08 - 01/22/08 58,758,289 -------------- 435,927,296 -------------- Asset-Backed - Corporate (2.7%) 25,000 Ciesco LLC*..................... 4.94 03/26/08 24,713,715 111,711 Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corp.*........................ 5.53 - 6.39 01/09/08 - 01/29/08 111,508,892 20,000 Variable Funding Capital Co., LLC*.......................... 4.97 02/20/08 19,863,889 -------------- 156,086,496 -------------- Asset-Backed - Diversified (2.2%) 50,000 Alpine Securitization CP*....... 6.31 01/28/08 49,765,625 10,000 Atlantic Asset Securitization*.. 6.13 01/07/08 9,989,833 50,000 Clipper Receivables Co., LLC*... 6.39 01/14/08 49,885,347 20,000 Three Pillars Funding LLC*...... 5.17 02/15/08 19,872,500 -------------- 129,513,305 -------------- Asset-Backed - Securities (3.9%) 76,000 Amstel Funding Corp.*........... 5.52 - 6.82 01/31/08 - 02/27/08 75,452,050 30,000 Galleon Capital LLC*............ 6.43 01/08/08 29,962,667 75,000 Grampian Funding LLC*........... 4.76 - 5.25 02/01/08 - 04/28/08 74,331,339 50,000 Scaldis Capital LLC*............ 4.43 - 5.50 03/03/08 - 03/04/08 49,532,528 -------------- 229,278,584 -------------- Banking (3.2%) 48,000 Bank of America Corp. .......... 4.99 03/25/08 47,453,440 95,000 Citigroup Funding Inc. ......... 4.85 - 5.50 03/11/08 - 05/06/08 93,731,328 45,000 JPMorgan Chase & Co. ........... 5.12 - 5.13 02/04/08 - 03/04/08 44,685,612 -------------- 185,870,380 -------------- Finance - Auto (2.4%) 140,000 Toyota Motor Credit Corp. ...... 5.31 02/13/08 139,130,444 -------------- </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 6 Active Assets Money Trust PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS DESCRIPTION PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- International Banks (9.6%) $ 25,000 Dexia Delaware LLC.............. 4.93 % 02/19/08 $ 24,834,968 75,000 DNB Nor Bank ASA*............... 4.80 03/31/08 74,111,250 25,000 KBC Financial Products International*................ 4.90 05/22/08 24,528,639 50,000 Kommunalkredit International Bank*......................... 5.37 02/13/08 49,689,444 25,000 Natexis Banques Populaires U.S. Finance Co., LLC.............. 5.13 02/12/08 24,853,000 50,000 Royal Bank of Scotland*......... 4.88 - 4.93 05/23/08 - 05/28/08 49,032,944 147,000 Santander Central Hispano Finance (Delaware) Inc. ...... 4.73 - 5.14 03/28/08 - 06/02/08 144,448,158 90,000 Societe Generale N.A., Inc. .... 4.91 - 4.93 03/24/08 - 04/21/08 88,810,403 80,000 UBS Finance (Delaware) LLC...... 4.94 04/30/08 78,709,833 -------------- 559,018,639 -------------- Total Commercial Paper (Cost $1,894,592,894)............................ 1,894,592,894 -------------- Certificates of Deposit (31.3%) International Banks 20,000 Bank of Montreal - Chicago...... 5.09 04/18/08 20,000,000 185,000 Bank of Scotland................ 4.91 - 5.15 02/22/08 - 06/11/08 185,003,035 273,300 Barclays Bank PLC............... 4.70 - 5.50 02/13/08 - 06/04/08 273,300,000 175,000 BNP Paribas..................... 4.74 - 4.88 04/24/08 - 06/27/08 175,000,000 280,000 Calyon.......................... 4.78 - 5.08 01/24/08 - 03/25/08 280,000,000 25,000 Canadian Imperial Bank.......... 4.78 03/12/08 25,000,000 140,000 Credit Suisse................... 4.87 - 5.46 03/12/08 - 06/06/08 140,000,000 218,600 NATIXIS......................... 4.67 - 5.15 02/04/08 - 05/06/08 218,669,834 90,000 Royal Bank of Scotland PLC...... 4.80 - 5.17 02/14/08 - 04/30/08 90,000,000 40,000 Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB............................ 4.85 01/25/08 40,003,934 50,000 Societe Generale ............... 4.95 - 5.08 03/20/08 - 04/04/08 50,000,000 35,000 Svenska Handelsbanken........... 5.13 04/07/08 35,000,000 125,000 Toronto Dominion Bank........... 4.86 - 5.13 02/29/08 - 06/20/08 125,000,000 166,000 UBS AG.......................... 4.95 - 5.48 02/27/08 - 05/05/08 166,000,000 -------------- Total Certificates of Deposit (Cost $1,822,976,803)..................... 1,822,976,803 -------------- Floating Rate Notes (24.1%) Asset-Backed - Structured Investment Vehicles (12.4%) 50,000 Beta Finance*................... 5.24+ 01/11/08++ 50,002,605 280,000 Cullinan Finance Corp.*......... 4.32+ 01/02/08++ 279,994,948 150,000 Links Finance LLC............... 5.20+ 01/15/08++ 149,999,423 240,000 Links Finance LLC*.............. 4.86 - 5.04+ 01/25/08 - 02/12/08++ 239,998,022 -------------- 719,994,998 -------------- </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 7 Active Assets Money Trust PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS DESCRIPTION PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Banking (0.7%) $ 42,425 JPMorgan Chase & Co. ........... 5.15+% 01/25/08++ $ 42,427,867 -------------- Domestic Banks (2.8%) 60,000 American Express Centurion Bank.......................... 5.00+ 01/18/08++ 60,000,434 100,000 U.S. Bank NA, Cincinnati........ 5.20+ 01/03/08++ 100,000,080 -------------- 160,000,514 -------------- Finance-Automotive (0.7%) 43,000 American Honda Finance Corp.*... 4.87+ 02/06/08++ 43,000,000 -------------- International Banks (5.4%) 75,000 Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria - NY............... 5.18+ 01/03/08++ 74,993,282 100,000 BNP Paribas*.................... 4.85+ 02/07/08++ 100,000,000 50,000 Credit Suisse................... 5.00+ 02/26/08++ 50,000,000 50,000 NATIXIS......................... 4.77+ 03/31/08++ 49,995,813 40,000 Westpac Banking Corp. .......... 4.97+ 01/29/08++ 39,999,826 -------------- 314,988,921 -------------- Investment Banks/Brokers (2.1%) 125,000 Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.*...... 5.14+ 01/18/08++ 125,000,000 -------------- Total Floating Rate Notes (Cost $1,405,412,300)......................... 1,405,412,300 -------------- Corporate Bond Notes (1.6%) Asset-Backed - Structured Investment Vehicles 50,000 Asscher Finance Corp.*.......... 5.45 06/25/08 50,000,000 40,000 Cullinan Finance Corp.*......... 5.40 - 5.45 02/01/08 - 04/25/08 39,996,747 -------------- Total Corporate Bond Notes (Cost $89,996,747)........................... 89,996,747 -------------- Repurchase Agreements (6.0%) 836 Barclays Capital Inc. (dated 12/31/07; proceeds $836,209) (a)........................... 4.50 01/02/08 836,000 350,000 BNP Paribas Securities Corp. (dated 12/31/07; proceeds $350,087,500) (b)............. 4.50 01/02/08 350,000,000 671 The Bank of New York (dated 12/31/07; proceeds $671,220) (c)........................... 2.50 01/02/08 671,127 -------------- Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost $351,507,127)......................... 351,507,127 -------------- U.S. Government Agencies - Debenture Bonds (1.7%) 90,000 Federal Home Loan Banks......... 4.31 - 4.64 04/16/08 - 11/05/08 90,090,710 6,980 Freddie Mac..................... 4.33 08/14/08 7,008,025 -------------- Total U.S. Government Agencies - Debenture Bonds (Cost $97,098,735)..... 97,098,735 -------------- </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 8 Active Assets Money Trust PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued <Table> <Caption> ANNUALIZED PRINCIPAL YIELD AMOUNT IN ON DATE OF MATURITY THOUSANDS DESCRIPTION PURCHASE DATE VALUE - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes (1.7%) $ 65,000 Federal Home Loan Banks......... 4.26 - 5.05% 02/15/08 - 03/19/08 $ 64,526,014 25,000 Federal National Mortgage Association................... 4.33 03/26/08 24,747,066 10,000 Freddie Mac..................... 4.27 05/05/08 9,854,861 -------------- Total U.S. Government Agencies - Discount Notes (Cost $99,127,941)...... 99,127,941 -------------- Short-Term Bank Note (0.3%) 20,000 Bank of America Corp. (Cost $20,000,000).................. 4.75 04/07/08 20,000,000 -------------- Total Investments (Cost $5,780,712,547) (d)..... 99.2% 5,780,712,547 Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities........... 0.8 49,165,696 ----- -------------- Net Assets...................................... 100.0% $5,829,878,243 ====== ============== </Table> - ---------- <Table> * Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors. + Rate shown is the rate in effect at December 31, 2007. ++ Date of next interest rate reset. (a) Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 6.50% due 12/01/37 valued at $852,720. (b) Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 6.00% due 12/01/37 valued at $357,000,000. (c) Collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assoc. 6.00% due 04/01/36 valued at $684,550. (d) Cost is the same for federal income tax purposes. </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 9 Active Assets Money Trust FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2007 (unaudited) <Table> Assets: Investments in securities, at value (cost $5,780,712,547)..... $5,780,712,547 Receivable for: Interest................................................... 36,091,434 Shares of beneficial interest sold......................... 25,466,182 Prepaid expenses and other assets............................. 252,635 -------------- Total Assets............................................... 5,842,522,798 -------------- Liabilities: Payable for: Investments purchased...................................... 10,000,000 Dividends to shareholders.................................. 19,282 Investment advisory fee.................................... 1,257,324 Distribution fee........................................... 504,260 Administration fee......................................... 252,130 Transfer agent fee......................................... 159,935 Accrued expenses and other payables........................... 451,624 -------------- Total Liabilities.......................................... 12,644,555 -------------- Net Assets................................................. $5,829,878,243 ============== Composition of Net Assets: Paid-in-capital............................................... $5,829,886,123 Accumulated undistributed net investment income............... 41,798 Accumulated net realized loss................................. (49,678) -------------- Net Assets................................................. $5,829,878,243 ============== Net Asset Value Per Share 5,829,927,922 shares outstanding (unlimited shares authorized of $.01 par value)............................................ $1.00 ===== </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 10 Active Assets Money Trust FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statement of Operations For the six months ended December 31, 2007 (unaudited) <Table> Net Investment Income: Interest Income................................................ $196,195,700 ------------ Expenses Investment advisory fee........................................ 8,845,916 Distribution fee............................................... 3,680,546 Transfer agent fees and expenses............................... 1,924,425 Administration fee............................................. 1,840,273 Shareholder reports and notices................................ 177,270 Custodian fees................................................. 154,729 Trustees' fees and expenses.................................... 63,429 Registration fees.............................................. 44,621 Professional fees.............................................. 38,009 Other.......................................................... 229,309 ------------ Total Expenses.............................................. 16,998,527 Less: expense offset........................................... (14,242) ------------ Net Expenses................................................ 16,984,285 ------------ Net Investment Income....................................... 179,211,415 ------------ Net Realized Loss on: Investments.................................................... (10,046,126) Net increase from payments by affiliate (Note 4)............... 9,996,448 ------------ Net Realized Loss........................................... (49,678) ------------ Net Increase................................................... $179,161,737 ============ </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 11 Active Assets Money Trust FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued Statements of Changes in Net Assets <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 JUNE 30, 2007 ----------------- --------------- (unaudited) Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: Operations: Net investment income............................. $ 179,211,415 $ 424,325,214 Net realized gain (loss).......................... (10,046,126) 4,606 Net increase from payments by affiliate........... 9,996,448 -- --------------- --------------- Net Increase................................... 179,161,737 424,329,820 --------------- --------------- Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: Net investment income............................. (179,219,657) (424,318,724) Net realized gain................................. -- (4,606) --------------- --------------- Total Dividends and Distributions.............. (179,219,657) (424,323,330) --------------- --------------- Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest............................. (2,148,660,986) (1,899,480,615) Net Decrease................................... (2,148,718,906) (1,899,474,125) Net Assets: Beginning of period............................... 7,978,597,149 9,878,071,274 --------------- --------------- End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $41,798 and $50,040, respectively)..................................... $ 5,829,878,243 $ 7,978,597,149 =============== =============== </Table> See Notes to Financial Statements 12 Active Assets Money Trust NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) 1. Organization and Accounting Policies Active Assets Money Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund's investment objective is high current income, preservation of capital and liquidity. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 30, 1981 and commenced operations on July 7, 1981. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies: A. Valuation of Investments -- Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. 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. Repurchase Agreements -- The Fund may invest directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. The Fund's custodian receives the collateral, which is marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest. D. Federal Income Tax Policy -- It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable and non taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and New York. The Fund adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48") Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes on June 29, 2007. FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The implementation of FIN 48 did not result in any unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended December 31, 2007, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities. E. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders -- The Fund records dividends and distributions to shareholders as of the close of each business day. 13 Active Assets Money Trust NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued 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 Fund pays the Investment Adviser an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $1.75 billion; 0.25% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.75 billion but not exceeding $2.25 billion; 0.225% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.25 billion but not exceeding $2.75 billion; 0.20% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.75 billion but not exceeding $15 billion; 0.199% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $15 billion but not exceeding $17.5 billion; 0.198% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $17.5 billion but not exceeding $25 billion; 0.197% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $25 billion but not exceeding $30 billion; and 0.196% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $30 billion. Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Fund pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.05% to the fund's daily net assets. Under an agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund. 3. Plan of Distribution Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser and Administrator, is the distributor of the Fund's shares and in accordance with a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b- 1 under the Act, finances certain expenses in connection with the promotion of sales of Fund shares. 14 Active Assets Money Trust NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued Reimbursements for these expenses are made in monthly payments by the Fund to the Distributor, which will in no event exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund's average daily net assets during the month. Expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Plan in any fiscal year will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments accrued in any subsequent fiscal year. For the six months ended December 31, 2007, the distribution fee was accrued at the annual rate of 0.10%. 4. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales/maturities of portfolio securities for the six months ended December 31, 2007, aggregated $35,809,426,355 and $38,070,460,445, respectively. On October 23, 2007, a security owned by the Fund was subject to a credit downgrade by a rating agency. As a result of this downgrade, the Adviser determined that the security was no longer an eligible security for the Fund to own. As a result, the Adviser purchased this security from the Fund at amortized cost plus accrued interest. Prior to the purchase, the Fund owned $100,000,000 par value of this security. Had this security been sold to a third party, the Fund would have realized a loss of approximately $9,996,448. As a result, this estimated loss along with an offsetting payment from the Adviser has been reflected in the Statement of Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The net result of this transaction, including the purchase of the security at amortized cost by the Adviser, had no impact on the Fund's net assets, net asset value per share or net investment income. Morgan Stanley Trust, an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor, is the Fund's transfer agent. The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund 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 December 31, 2007, included in Trustees' fees and expenses in the Statement of Operations amounted to $3,000. At December 31, 2007, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $61,467 which is included in accrued expenses in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund 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 or she 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 15 Active Assets Money Trust NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2007 (UNAUDITED) continued offered as investment options under 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 Fund. 5. Shares of Beneficial Interest Transactions in shares of beneficial interest, at $1.00 per share, were as follows: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR MONTHS ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 JUNE 30, 2007 ----------------- --------------- (unaudited) Shares sold....................................... 12,636,512,016 34,258,282,629 Shares issued in reinvestment of dividends and distributions................................... 178,049,714 422,497,709 --------------- --------------- 12,814,561,730 34,680,780,338 Shares redeemed................................... (14,963,222,716) (36,580,260,953) --------------- --------------- Net decrease in shares outstanding................ (2,148,660,986) (1,899,480,615) =============== =============== </Table> 6. Expense Offset The expense offset represents a reduction of the fees and expenses for interest earned on cash balances maintained by the Fund with the transfer agent. 7. Accounting Pronouncement In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Management is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of SFAS 157 will have on the Fund's financial statement disclosures. 16 Active Assets Money Trust FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS continued Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period: <Table> <Caption> FOR THE SIX FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, MONTHS ENDED ----------------------------------------------- DECEMBER 31,2007 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ---------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- (unaudited) Selected Per Share Data: Net asset value, beginning of period......... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net income from investment operations........ 0.025 0.049 0.038 0.018 0.007 0.011 Less dividends from net investment income.... (0.025) (0.049)+ (0.038)+ (0.018)+ (0.007)+ (0.011)+ ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- Net asset value, end of period............... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return................................. 2.49%(1)(3) 4.99% 3.85% 1.82% 0.68% 1.13% Ratios to Average Net Assets: Total expenses (before expense offset)....... 0.46%(2) 0.47% 0.44% 0.42% 0.41% 0.41% Net investment income........................ 4.86%(2) 4.88% 3.63% 1.80% 0.67% 1.12% Supplemental Data: Net assets, end of period, in millions....... $5,830 $7,979 $9,878 $21,601 $21,655 $23,278 </Table> - ---------- <Table> + Includes capital gain distribution of less than $0.001. (1) Not annualized. (2) Annualized. (3) The Adviser fully reimbursed the Fund for the loss incurred resulting from the disposal of an investment. Without this reimbursement, the total return was 2.34%. See Note 4. </Table> 17 (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) (This Page Intentionally Left Blank) TRUSTEES Frank L. Bowman Michael Bozic Kathleen A. Dennis James F. Higgins Dr. Manuel H. Johnson Joseph J. Kearns Michael F. Klein Michael E. Nugent W. Allen Reed Fergus Reid OFFICERS Michael E. Nugent Chairperson of the Board Ronald E. Robison President and Principal Executive Officer J. David Germany Vice President Dennis F. Shea Vice President Amy R. Doberman Vice President Carsten Otto Chief Compliance Officer Stefanie V. Chang Yu Vice President Francis J. Smith Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Mary E. Mullin Secretary TRANSFER AGENT Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two Jersey City, New Jersey 07311 INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, New York 10281 LEGAL COUNSEL Clifford Chance US LLP 31 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10019 COUNSEL TO THE INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 INVESTMENT ADVISER Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. 522 Fifth Avenue New York, New York 10036 The financial statements included herein have been taken from the records of the Fund without examination by the independent auditors and accordingly they do not express an opinion thereon. This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 869-NEWS. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc., member FINRA. (c) 2007 Morgan Stanley [MORGAN STANLEY LOGO] MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS Active Assets Money Trust Semiannual Report December 31, 2007 AAMSAN IU08-00805P-Y12/07 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 filed by closed-end funds. Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases Applicable to reports filed by closed-end funds. Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders Not applicable. Item 11. Controls and Procedures (a) The Fund's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund's disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund 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 (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. 2 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. Active Assets Money Trust /s/ Ronald E. Robison Ronald E. Robison Principal Executive Officer February 15, 2008 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 February 15, 2008 /s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer February 15, 2008 3