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 811-7356
Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
1221 Avenue of the Americas NY NY 10020
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Ronald Robison 1221 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10020
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(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000
Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
Date of reporting period: 10/31/03
Item 1. Report to Shareholders
Welcome, Shareholder
In this report, you'll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen
Strategic Sector Municipal Trust performed during the annual period. The
portfolio management team will provide an overview of the market
conditions and discuss some of the factors that affected investment
performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report
includes the trust's financial statements and a list of trust investments
as of October 31, 2003.
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 the market values of securities owned by the trust will decline and,
therefore, the value of the trust shares may be less than what you paid
for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this trust.
NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE
Performance Summary
<Table>
<Caption>
STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST
SYMBOL: VKS
- ----------------------------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL BASED ON BASED ON
TOTAL RETURNS NAV MARKET PRICE
Since Inception
(1/22/93) 6.96% 6.03%
10-year 6.22 6.38
5-year 6.17 5.96
1-year 7.74 10.82
- ----------------------------------------------------
</Table>
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return, net asset
value (NAV) and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when
sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
As a result of recent market activity, current performance may vary from the
figures shown. For more up-to-date information, please visit vankampen.com or
speak with your financial advisor. The NAV per share is determined by dividing
the value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all
liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share
market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the trust
at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors,
including supply and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an
investment at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for
the period in accordance with the trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale
of all shares at the end of the period.
The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index is a broad-based statistical composite
of municipal bonds. The index is unmanaged and does not include any sales
charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to
invest directly in an index.
1
Trust Report
FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003
Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust is managed by the adviser's
Municipal Fixed Income team.(1) Current members include Timothy D. Haney, Vice
President; Robert Wimmel, Vice President; and John Reynoldson, Executive
Director.
MARKET CONDITIONS
The economic backdrop for the 12 months ended October 31 was largely
characterized by the persistent weakness of the U.S. economy. One of the most
closely watched economic indicators, employment strength, was in negative
territory for much of the period. Repeated comments from government and
private-sector economists suggesting that the U.S. economy might be entering a
deflationary period also seemed to weigh heavily on the minds of investors over
the course of the year. At the same time, ongoing budgetary and fiscal
difficulties at the state and local level contributed to ratings downgrades for
many municipal bonds. The Federal Reserve Board (the Fed) attempted to allay
these fears and keep the economy moving in the right direction by cutting the
Fed Funds target rate twice during the period to a level of 1.00 percent.
Although the stock markets appeared to look past the sluggish economic data,
bonds, in general, were hampered.
While yields on intermediate- and long-term bonds ended the period roughly where
they began, the road between those two points was decidedly bumpy. The 12-month
period can be divided into two distinct market environments. The first of these,
which lasted from October 2002 to mid-June 2003, saw municipal yields fall by
roughly 80 basis points to levels not seen since the late 1960s. These
plummeting yields led to a surge in issuance as municipalities moved to lock in
low financing and, in the case of older bonds, low refinancing costs. These
record levels of supply met with substantial demand as investors in search of
relative stability poured cash into municipal bond funds. Demand for municipal
bonds was also strong from so-called "cross-over" buyers--investors who
traditionally favor taxable investments, but were drawn to the relatively
attractive yields of municipal bonds.
The municipal market reversed abruptly in mid-June, when yields began to climb
from their lows. Investors during this phase shifted their attention to the
advancing equity market, which reduced demand for municipal bonds. Interest from
cross-over investors also evaporated as the relative attractiveness of the
taxable market returned. Issuance remained strong throughout this leg of the
period, though it abated somewhat in the last three months of the reporting
year. These forces combined to drive municipal bond yields off of their historic
lows, ending the period where they began.
(1)Team members may change without notice at any time.
2
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
The trust's return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the
net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the
value of the trust's portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all
liabilities, by the total number of common shares outstanding, while market
price reflects the supply and demand for the shares. As a result, the two
returns can differ significantly. On both a market price and an NAV basis, the
trust outperformed its benchmark, the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. (See
table below.)
The trust's significant position in health-care bonds generated attractive
income, as well as price appreciation driven by yield-seeking investors drawn to
the bonds' relatively robust yields. Certain issues in this sector met their
investment objectives during the period, and we subsequently sold them in favor
of bonds with superior total-return potential. Our current strategy of avoiding
housing bonds also helped the trust; the sector performed poorly amidst record
levels of mortgage refinancing activity.
The trust uses leverage to enhance its dividend to common shareholders by
borrowing money at short-term rates through the issuance of preferred shares.
The proceeds are reinvested in longer-term securities, taking advantage of the
difference between short- and longer-term rates. With short-term rates at
historic lows during the period, the difference between short- and longer-term
rates was relatively high. This made using leverage a particularly profitable
approach during the period, and added to the trust's strong performance.
While the trust outperformed its benchmark, not all of its positions performed
strongly over the entire period in question. With interest rates falling to
historic lows, our analysis showed an increasing possibility of a damaging
upward shift in interest rates. Therefore, we positioned the trust defensively
by maintaining a duration (a measure of interest-rate sensitivity) that was
slightly shorter than that of the benchmark during the period. This position
helped the trust when rates climbed, but kept it from fully participating in the
bond market rally earlier in the period.
We attempted to be equally defensive in managing the portfolio's maturity
structure. Given the steepness of the yield curve for much of the period
(steepness is a measure of the difference in yields between long- and short-
maturity securities), we focused on a strategy designed to outperform in a
TOTAL RETURN FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
- -------------------------------------------------------------
BASED ON BASED ON LEHMAN BROTHERS
NAV MARKET PRICE MUNICIPAL BOND INDEX
7.74% 10.82% 5.11%
- -------------------------------------------------------------
</Table>
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment return, net asset
value and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when sold,
may be worth more or less than their original cost. See Performance Summary for
additional performance information.
3
curve-flattening environment. We purchased premium bonds in the 14- to 20-year
range that were priced to 10-year call dates. These bonds offer attractive
yields compared to bonds with similar interest-rate risk. We sold bonds in the
5- to 10-year range, an area of the curve that we feel will underperform if
short rates rise. This curve flattening did not occur as early as we
anticipated, however, and the strategy hampered performance when short rates
fell in the first part of the period. However, when long-bond yields rose in the
latter part of the period, our emphasis on defensive bonds in the 14- to 20-year
range helped to preserve principal.
In addition to this core strategy, we also traded high-grade bonds in the
30-year range based on relative-value fluctuations. We sought out issues that
were cheap relative to comparable bonds, and then sold them after they achieved
their performance targets in order to reinvest the proceeds into securities that
we believe have greater total-return prospects.
During the period, many municipalities faced budget shortfalls and potential
credit downgrades. In this challenging environment, we sought to preserve
principal by emphasizing the highest credit-quality tiers of the municipal bond
market. As of October 31, 2003, approximately 84 percent of the trust's long-
term investments were invested in bonds rated AA and above. We will continue
with our disciplined investment approach, monitoring the market closely for
compelling opportunities.
<Table>
TOP 5 SECTORS AS OF 10/31/03 RATINGS ALLOCATION AS OF 10/31/03
General Purpose 23.3% AAA/Aaa 76.1%
Industrial Revenue 13.7 AA/Aa 7.6
Public Building 13.7 A/A 2.5
Health Care 10.5 BBB/Baa 11.1
Wholesale Electric 9.3 BB/Ba 0.3
B/B 1.3
CC/Ca 0.2
Non-Rated 0.9
</Table>
Subject to change daily. All percentages are as a percentage of long-term
investments. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed
as a recommendation to buy securities in the sectors shown above. Securities are
classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries.
Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor's and
Moody's, respectively. 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.
4
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A description of the trust's policies and procedures with respect to the
voting of proxies relating to the trust's portfolio securities is
available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-847-2424. This
information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission's
website at http://www.sec.gov.
5
BY THE NUMBERS
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
THE FOLLOWING PAGES DETAIL YOUR TRUST'S PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AT THE END OF
THE REPORTING PERIOD.
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
MUNICIPAL BONDS 150.6%
ALABAMA 7.8%
$ 6,345 Alabama St Muni Elec Auth Pwr Supply Rev Ser A
(MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.500% 09/01/19 $ 7,015,920
5,000 Alabama Wtr Pollutn Ctl Auth Revolving Fd Ln Ser
A (AMBAC Insd).................................. 5.000 08/15/15 5,122,650
------------
12,138,570
------------
ARIZONA 0.8%
1,200 Tempe, AZ Excise Tax Rev Rfdg................... 5.250 07/01/19 1,287,840
------------
CALIFORNIA 23.7%
3,330 Anaheim, CA Ctf Part Anaheim Mem Hosp Assn Rfdg
(Escrowed to Maturity) (AMBAC Insd)............. 5.000 05/15/13 3,457,805
20,000 Anaheim, CA Pub Fin Auth Lease Rev Cap Apprec
Sub Pub Impt Proj Ser C (FSA Insd).............. * 09/01/25 6,110,800
6,000 California Infrastructure & Econ Dev Bk Rev Bay
Area Toll Brdgs First Lien A (AMBAC Insd)....... 5.000 07/01/33 6,038,460
6,420 California Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev
Pacific Gas & Elec Ser B (MBIA Insd) (a)........ 6.350 06/01/09 6,574,658
220 California Rural Home Mtg Fin Auth Single Family
Mtg Rev Ser C (GNMA Collateralized)............. 7.800 02/01/28 238,790
2,000 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Ser A (XLCA
Insd)........................................... 5.375 05/01/17 2,169,380
5,000 California St Dept Wtr Res Pwr Ser A (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 5.375 05/01/22 5,293,550
5,000 Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev
Conv Cap Apprec Rfdg (b)........................ 0/5.800 01/15/20 3,670,950
2,000 Los Angeles Cnty, CA Pub Wks Fin Auth Rev Sr
Lien Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)...................... 5.500 10/01/18 2,272,840
4,000 Whisman, CA Sch Dist Cap Apprec Ser D (FSA
Insd)........................................... * 02/01/25 1,301,240
------------
37,128,473
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COLORADO 2.8%
1,000 Arapahoe Cnty, CO Cap Impt Tr Fd Hwy Rev E-470
Proj Ser B (Prerefunded @ 08/31/05)............. 7.000 08/31/26 1,133,690
1,000 Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hosp Parkview Med Ctr
Proj............................................ 6.500 09/01/20 1,071,720
1,850 Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Multi-Family Hsg Insd Mtg
Ser A........................................... 6.800 10/01/37 1,892,124
</Table>
6 See Notes to Financial Statements
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
COLORADO (CONTINUED)
$ 195 Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Pgm Sr Ser
C1.............................................. 7.550% 11/01/27 $ 199,953
65 Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Pgm Sr Ser
F............................................... 8.625 06/01/25 65,086
------------
4,362,573
------------
CONNECTICUT 2.1%
1,500 Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe CT Spl Rev Ser
A, 144A--Private Placement (c).................. 6.400 09/01/11 1,618,545
1,500 Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe CT Spl Rev Ser
A, 144A--Private Placement (Prerefunded @
09/01/07) (c)................................... 6.400 09/01/11 1,711,065
------------
3,329,610
------------
GEORGIA 2.4%
1,870 Georgia Muni Elec Auth Pwr Rev Ser A (FGIC
Insd)........................................... 5.500 01/01/12 2,110,202
1,425 Georgia Muni Elec Auth Pwr Rev Ser A Rfdg
(Escrowed to Maturity) (FGIC Insd).............. 5.500 01/01/12 1,624,001
------------
3,734,203
------------
ILLINOIS 15.8%
15,000 Chicago, IL Brd of Ed Cap Apprec Sch Reform Ser
A (FGIC Insd)................................... * 12/01/31 3,150,150
5,670 Chicago, IL Cap Apprec City Colleges (FGIC
Insd)........................................... * 01/01/29 1,428,670
4,335 Chicago, IL Cap Apprec City Colleges (FGIC
Insd)........................................... * 01/01/30 1,029,086
2,540 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Rev Second Lien
Passenger Fac Ser A (AMBAC Insd)................ 5.375 01/01/32 2,595,347
1,700 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Spl Fac Rev United
Airl Proj Ser B Rfdg (d) (e).................... 5.200 04/01/11 344,250
300 Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Spl United Airl
Proj Ser A (d) (e).............................. 5.350 09/01/16 63,750
5,000 Chicago, IL Proj Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)......... 5.500 01/01/38 5,245,850
950 Chicago, IL Tax Increment Alloc Sub Cent Loop
Redev Ser A (ACA Insd).......................... 6.500 12/01/08 1,100,072
1,635 Cook Cnty, IL Sch Dist No. 100 Berwyn South (FSA
Insd)........................................... 8.100 12/01/15 2,238,855
5,000 Cook Cnty, IL Ser A (FGIC Insd)................. 5.500 11/15/31 5,256,200
1,000 Illinois Hlth Fac Auth Rev Midwest Physician Grp
Ltd Rfdg........................................ 5.500 11/15/19 790,280
2,800 Will Cnty, IL Fst Presv Dist Ser B (FGIC
Insd)........................................... * 12/01/16 1,520,848
------------
24,763,358
------------
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 7
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
INDIANA 6.6%
$ 3,065 Allen Cnty, IN War Mem Coliseum Additions Bldg
Corp Ser A (AMBAC Insd)......................... 5.750% 11/01/25 $ 3,310,384
3,505 East Chicago, IN Elem Sch Bldg Corp First Mtg
Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)............................... 6.250 01/05/16 4,188,720
3,000 Petersburg, IN Pollutn Ctl Rev IN Pwr & Lt...... 6.375 11/01/29 2,913,000
------------
10,412,104
------------
KANSAS 4.0%
5,000 Burlington, KS Pollutn Ctl KS Gas & Elec Co Proj
Rfdg (MBIA Insd)................................ 7.000 06/01/31 5,225,750
1,000 Overland Park, KS Dev Corp Rev First Tier
Overland Park Ser A............................. 7.375 01/01/32 1,002,700
------------
6,228,450
------------
KENTUCKY 1.3%
2,000 Kentucky Econ Dev Fin Auth College & Univ Rev
Impt Centre College Proj Rfdg (FSA Insd)........ 5.000 04/01/32 2,015,960
------------
LOUISIANA 9.7%
7,930 Ernest N Morial New Orleans LA Exhibit Hall Auth
Spl Tax Sr Sub Ser A (AMBAC Insd)............... 5.250 07/15/18 8,531,887
2,855 Louisiana St Gas & Fuels Tax Rev Ser A (AMBAC
Insd)........................................... 5.375 06/01/16 3,130,108
2,000 New Orleans, LA Rfdg (FGIC Insd)................ 5.500 12/01/21 2,233,700
1,250 St Charles Parish, LA Pollutn Ctl Rev LA Pwr &
Lt Co Proj (FSA Insd)........................... 7.500 06/01/21 1,302,688
------------
15,198,383
------------
MARYLAND 4.7%
1,000 Maryland St Econ Dev Corp Student Hsg Rev Univ
MD College Park Proj............................ 5.625 06/01/35 991,040
6,270 Maryland St Hlth & Higher Ed Fac Auth Rev Subn
Hosp Rfdg (AMBAC Insd).......................... 5.000 07/01/13 6,414,022
------------
7,405,062
------------
MASSACHUSETTS 6.3%
5,000 Massachusetts St Cons Ln Ser E (Prerefunded @
01/01/13) (FSA Insd)............................ 5.250 01/01/20 5,550,350
2,000 Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Semass Sys Ser A
(MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.625 01/01/15 2,227,780
1,705 Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Vly Regl
Hlth Sys Ser C (Connie Lee Insd)................ 7.000 07/01/09 2,054,423
------------
9,832,553
------------
MICHIGAN 1.0%
1,485 Michigan St Hsg Dev Auth Multi-Family Rev Adj
Ltd Oblig Hsg Orion Four Ser A (Var Rate Cpn)... 6.250 08/01/39 1,519,155
------------
</Table>
8 See Notes to Financial Statements
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
MISSISSIPPI 4.3%
$ 2,000 Mississippi Business Fin Corp Sys Energy Res Inc
Proj............................................ 5.875% 04/01/22 $ 1,994,320
2,860 Mississippi Dev Bk Spl Oblig Cap Proj & Equip
Acquisition Ser A2 (AMBAC Insd)................. 5.000 07/01/24 2,917,286
1,030 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Ser
C (GNMA Collateralized)......................... 7.600 06/01/29 1,129,982
355 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Mtg Ser
F (GNMA Collateralized)......................... 7.550 12/01/27 365,171
322 Mississippi Home Corp Single Family Rev Ser D
(GNMA Collateralized)........................... 8.100 12/01/24 341,687
------------
6,748,446
------------
MISSOURI 0.5%
750 St Louis, MO Indl Dev Auth Rev Sr Lien St Louis
Convention Ser A................................ 6.875 12/15/20 735,960
------------
NEVADA 0.3%
515 Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Pgm Mezz Ser E
(FHA/VA Gtd).................................... 6.900 10/01/11 524,440
------------
NEW JERSEY 7.4%
2,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Dist Heating & Cooling
Rev Trigen Trenton Ser A........................ 6.200 12/01/10 1,999,860
2,000 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Spl Fac Rev Continental
Airl Inc Proj................................... 6.250 09/15/29 1,706,020
2,500 New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Wtr Fac Rev NJ American
Wtr Co Inc Proj Ser A (FGIC Insd)............... 6.875 11/01/34 2,688,425
5,000 New Jersey St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Ser A (FSA
Insd)........................................... 5.000 01/01/20 5,219,850
------------
11,614,155
------------
NEW YORK 16.5%
970 New York City Indl Dev Agy Civic Fac Rev Touro
College Proj Ser A (f).......................... 6.350 06/01/29 853,231
2,520 New York City Ser B (Prerefunded @ 08/15/04).... 7.250 08/15/19 2,668,579
5,000 New York City Ser B1 (Prerefunded @ 08/15/04)... 7.000 08/15/16 5,285,400
5 New York City Ser C............................. 7.250 08/15/24 5,022
2,000 New York City Ser G............................. 5.750 02/01/14 2,154,280
5,000 New York City Ser H (MBIA Insd)................. 5.250 03/15/14 5,461,200
5,000 New York City Transitional Fin Auth Future Tax
Sec Ser B....................................... 5.000 08/01/22 5,121,800
4,000 New York City Transitional Fin Auth Future Tax
Sec Ser D (MBIA Insd)........................... 5.250 02/01/20 4,273,040
------------
25,822,552
------------
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 9
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
NORTH CAROLINA 2.1%
$ 3,000 Charlotte, NC Ctf Part Convention Fac Proj Ser A
Rfdg............................................ 5.500% 08/01/19 $ 3,302,580
------------
OHIO 6.8%
1,000 Akron, OH Ctf Part Akron Muni Baseball Stad
Proj............................................ 6.500 12/01/07 1,076,310
1,000 Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Rev Canton Inc
Proj............................................ 7.500 01/01/30 1,103,390
1,000 Delaware Cnty, OH Hlthcare Fac Rev Mtg Centrum
at Willow Brook (FHA Gtd) (a)................... 6.550 02/01/35 1,053,150
1,315 Logan Cnty, OH (MBIA Insd)...................... 5.250 12/01/17 1,425,039
2,045 Marion Cnty, OH Hosp Impt Rev Cmnty Hosp Rfdg... 6.000 05/15/05 2,141,953
770 Miami Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Impt Upper Vly Med Ctr
Ser C Rfdg...................................... 6.000 05/15/06 825,294
1,845 Ohio Hsg Fin Agy Mtg Rev Residential Ser A-1
(GNMA Collateralized)........................... 6.050 09/01/17 1,947,379
980 Toledo Lucas Cnty, OH Port Auth Northwest OH Bd
Fd Ser C........................................ 6.000 05/15/11 1,035,546
------------
10,608,061
------------
OKLAHOMA 0.9%
1,000 Mc Alester, OK Pub Wks Auth Util Sys Rev Cap
Apprec (FSA Insd)............................... * 02/01/31 238,680
1,000 Tulsa Cnty, OK Pub Fac Auth Cap Impt Rev (AMBAC
Insd)........................................... 6.250 11/01/22 1,153,370
------------
1,392,050
------------
PENNSYLVANIA 2.5%
1,515 Delaware Cnty, PA Auth Hlthcare Rev Mercy Hlth
Corp Southeastn Ser B (Prerefunded @
11/15/05)....................................... 6.000 11/15/07 1,597,658
2,000 Philadelphia, PA Hosp & Higher Ed Fac Auth Hosp
Rev PA Hosp Rfdg (Escrowed to Maturity)......... 6.350 07/01/07 2,298,000
------------
3,895,658
------------
SOUTH CAROLINA 3.8%
2,420 Beaufort Cnty, SC Tax Increment New River Redev
Proj Area (MBIA Insd)........................... 5.500 06/01/20 2,635,428
700 South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Sr Myrtle Beach
Convention Ser A................................ 6.625 04/01/36 675,493
2,500 South Carolina St Pub Svc Auth Rev Ser D Rfdg
(FSA Insd)...................................... 5.000 01/01/21 2,578,675
------------
5,889,596
------------
</Table>
10 See Notes to Financial Statements
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
PAR
AMOUNT MARKET
(000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE
TENNESSEE 1.9%
$ 1,500 Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Hosp
First Mtg Ser B Impt & Rfdg..................... 8.000% 07/01/33 $ 1,682,025
1,000 Johnson City, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Hosp Rev
First Mtg MTN States Hlth Ser A Rfdg (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 7.500 07/01/25 1,253,900
------------
2,935,925
------------
TEXAS 5.3%
1,500 Brazos River Auth TX Pollutn Ctl Rev Adj TXU
Elec Co Proj Ser C Rfdg (b)..................... 5.750 05/01/36 1,570,410
3,000 Dallas, TX Wtrwks & Swr Sys Rev Impt & Rfdg (FSA
Insd)........................................... 5.375 10/01/19 3,248,670
4,790 Galena Park, TX Indpt Sch Dist Cap Apprec Rfdg
(PSF Gtd)....................................... * 08/15/28 1,220,013
1,500 Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Spl Fac Continental
Airl Ser B...................................... 6.125 07/15/17 1,273,740
1,000 Matagorda Cnty, TX Navig Dist No 1 Rev Houston
Lt Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)............................ 5.125 11/01/28 1,010,010
------------
8,322,843
------------
VIRGINIA 1.0%
1,485 Richmond, VA Indl Dev Auth Govt Fac Rev Bonds
(AMBAC Insd).................................... 5.000 07/15/15 1,621,917
------------
WASHINGTON 8.3%
1,000 Grant Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 002 Wanapum
Hydro Elec Rev Ser B Rfdg (MBIA Insd)........... 5.375 01/01/18 1,042,640
5,000 Spokane, WA Pub Fac Dist Hotel Motel & Sales Use
Tax (MBIA Insd)................................. 5.250 09/01/33 5,171,900
2,030 Washington St Pub Pwr Supply Sys Nuclear Proj No
3 Rev Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd).................... * 07/01/13 1,341,688
3,380 Washington St Pub Pwr Supply Sys Nuclear Proj No
3 Rev Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd).................... * 07/01/15 1,986,054
3,000 Washington St Ser B............................. 5.500 05/01/18 3,375,060
------------
12,917,342
------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 150.6%
(Cost $225,573,360).......................................................... 235,687,819
------------
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 7.0%
8,100 Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Assets
Prog Ser D (Var Rate Cpn)....................... 1.150 01/01/35 8,100,000
1,785 Missouri St Enviroment Impt & Energy Res Auth
Enviroment Impt Mates Union Elec Co Proj Rfdg
(Var Rate Cpn).................................. 1.650 12/01/20 1,785,000
1,100 South Fork Muni Auth PA Hosp Rev Conemaugh Hlth
Sys Ser A (Var Rate Cpn)........................ 1.130 07/01/28 1,100,000
------------
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 11
YOUR TRUST'S INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
MARKET
VALUE
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
(Cost $10,985,000)........................................................... $ 10,985,000
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 157.6%
(Cost $236,558,360).......................................................... 246,672,819
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 3.1%.................................... 4,896,663
PREFERRED SHARES (INCLUDING ACCRUED DISTRIBUTIONS) (60.7%).................... (95,014,500)
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES 100.0%................................. $156,554,982
============
</Table>
* Zero coupon bond
(a) All or a portion of these securities have been physically segregated in
connection with open futures contracts.
(b) Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a
predetermined date.
(c) 144A securities are those which are exempt from registration under Rule 144A
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be
resold in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those
transactions with qualified institutional buyers.
(d) Non-income producing security.
(e) Issuer has filed for protection in federal bankruptcy court.
(f) These securities are restricted and may be resold only in transactions
exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with
qualified institutional buyers.
ACA--American Capital Access
AMBAC--AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
Connie Lee--Connie Lee Insurance Co.
FGIC--Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FHA--Federal Housing Administration
FHA/VA--Federal Housing Administration/Department of Veterans Affairs
FSA--Financial Security Assurance Inc.
GNMA--Government National Mortgage Association
MBIA--Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp.
PSF--Public School Fund
XLCA--XL Capital Assurance Inc.
12 See Notes to Financial Statements
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 31, 2003
<Table>
ASSETS:
Total Investments (Cost $236,558,360)....................... $246,672,819
Cash........................................................ 51,099
Receivables:
Investments Sold.......................................... 11,533,986
Interest.................................................. 3,585,617
Other....................................................... 4,730
------------
Total Assets............................................ 261,848,251
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Investments Purchased..................................... 9,720,963
Investment Advisory Fee................................... 138,414
Variation Margin on Futures............................... 64,969
Income Distributions--Common Shares....................... 54,434
Administrative Fee........................................ 21,294
Affiliates................................................ 8,300
Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 180,764
Accrued Expenses............................................ 89,631
------------
Total Liabilities....................................... 10,278,769
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions).......... 95,014,500
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $156,554,982
============
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($156,554,982 divided by
10,806,700 shares outstanding)............................ $ 14.49
============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of
shares authorized, 10,806,700 shares issued and
outstanding).............................................. $ 108,067
Paid in Surplus............................................. 147,064,328
Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 9,348,444
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. 2,582,290
Accumulated Net Realized Loss............................... (2,548,147)
------------
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES...................... $156,554,982
============
PREFERRED SHARES ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000
shares, 3,800 issued with liquidation preference of
$25,000 per share)........................................ $ 95,000,000
============
NET ASSETS INCLUDING PREFERRED SHARES....................... $251,554,982
============
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 13
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended October 31, 2003
<Table>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest.................................................... $13,566,153
-----------
EXPENSES:
Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 1,636,707
Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 263,211
Administrative Fee.......................................... 251,799
Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 53,534
Legal....................................................... 31,565
Custody..................................................... 17,710
Other....................................................... 199,225
-----------
Total Expenses.......................................... 2,453,751
-----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $11,112,402
===========
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS:
Realized Gain/Loss:
Investments............................................... $ 5,382,004
Futures................................................... (277,585)
-----------
Net Realized Gain........................................... 5,104,419
-----------
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
Beginning of the Period................................... 13,327,778
End of the Period:
Investments............................................. 10,114,459
Futures................................................. (766,015)
-----------
9,348,444
-----------
Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period............... (3,979,334)
-----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN............................ $ 1,125,085
===========
DISTRIBUTIONS TO PREFERRED SHAREHOLDERS..................... $(1,008,168)
===========
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM
OPERATIONS................................................ $11,229,319
===========
</Table>
14 See Notes to Financial Statements
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 2003 OCTOBER 31, 2002
-----------------------------------
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
Operations:
Net Investment Income..................................... $ 11,112,402 $ 11,723,174
Net Realized Gain......................................... 5,104,419 1,489,533
Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period............. (3,979,334) (5,021,124)
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................... (1,008,168) (1,344,123)
------------ ------------
Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from
Operations.............................................. 11,229,319 6,847,460
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
Net Investment Income................................... (10,697,472) (10,227,407)
------------ ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES FROM
INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES................................... 531,847 (3,379,947)
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHARES:
Beginning of the Period................................... 156,023,135 159,403,082
------------ ------------
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net
investment income of $2,582,290 and $3,733,979,
respectively)........................................... $156,554,982 $156,023,135
============ ============
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 15
Financial Highlights
THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE COMMON SHARE OF THE
TRUST OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED.
<Table>
<Caption>
--------------------------------------
2003 2002 (a) 2001 2000
--------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD............. $ 14.44 $ 14.75 $ 13.70 $ 13.14
------- ------- ------- -------
Net Investment Income.............................. 1.03 1.09 1.10 1.07
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss.............. .10 (.33) .94 .61
Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to
Preferred Shareholders:
Net Investment Income............................ (.09) (.12) (.28) (.36)
Net Realized Gain................................ -0- -0- -0- -0-
------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment Operations..................... 1.04 .64 1.76 1.32
Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders:
Net Investment Income............................ (.99) (.95) (.71) (.76)
Net Realized Gain................................ -0- -0- -0- -0-
------- ------- ------- -------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD................... $ 14.49 $ 14.44 $ 14.75 $ 13.70
======= ======= ======= =======
Common Share Market Price at End of the Period....... $ 14.10 $ 13.66 $ 13.28 $11.250
Total Return (b)..................................... 10.82% 10.14% 24.99% 3.37%
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the
Period (In millions)............................... $ 156.6 $ 156.0 $ 159.4 $ 148.0
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to
Common Shares (c).................................. 1.56% 1.54% 1.55% 1.66%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares (c).................... 7.09% 7.51% 7.77% 8.07%
Portfolio Turnover................................... 33% 33% 44% 22%
SUPPLEMENTAL RATIOS:
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Including
Preferred Shares (c)............................... .97% .95% .96% 1.00%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets
Applicable to Common Shares (d).................... 6.44% 6.65% 5.79% 5.38%
SENIOR SECURITIES:
Total Preferred Shares Outstanding................... 3,800 3,800 3,800 3,800
Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)............... $66,202 $66,065 $66,948 $63,958
Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred
Share.............................................. $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
Average Market Value Per Preferred Share............. $25,000 $25,000 $25,000 $25,000
</Table>
(a) As required, effective November 1, 2001, the Trust has adopted the
provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment companies
and began accreting market discount on fixed income securities. The effect
of this change for the year ended October 31, 2002 was to increase net
investment income per share by $.03, decrease net realized and unrealized
gains and losses per share by $.03 and increase the ratio of net investment
income to average net assets applicable to common shares by .19%. Per share,
ratios and supplemental data for periods prior to October 31, 2002 have not
been restated to reflect this change in presentation.
(b) Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the
beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the
period in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan, and sale
of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the
period indicated.
(c) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred
shareholders.
(d) Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(e) Calculated by subtracting the Trust's total liabilities (not including the
preferred shares) from the Trust's total assets and dividing this by the
number of preferred shares outstanding.
16
<Table>
<Caption>
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 14.82 $ 14.35 $ 13.67 $ 13.72 $ 12.28 $ 15.25
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
1.07 1.09 1.10 1.12 1.15 1.18
(1.69) .47 .67 (.07) 1.51 (2.93)
(.28) (.31) (.31) (.31) (.34) (.24)
-0- -0- -0- -0- -0- (.01)
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(.90) 1.25 1.46 .74 2.32 (2.00)
(.78) (.78) (.78) (.79) (.88) (.94)
-0- -0- -0- -0- -0- (.03)
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$ 13.14 $ 14.82 $ 14.35 $ 13.67 $ 13.72 $ 12.28
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
$11.625 $14.5625 $ 12.750 $ 11.750 $ 11.875 $ 10.750
-15.30% 20.97% 15.55% 5.69% 18.79% -20.83%
$ 142.0 $ 160.2 $ 155.1 $ 147.7 $ 148.3 $ 132.7
1.64% 1.62% 1.65% 1.67% 1.77% 1.61%
7.47% 7.47% 7.89% 8.23% 8.74% 8.52%
39% 18% 23% 24% 75% 165%
1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.01% 1.06% .99%
5.50% 5.35% 5.67% 5.91% 6.14% 6.76%
3,800 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900 1,900
$62,357 $134,297 $131,631 $127,743 $128,047 $119,868
$25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000
$25,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000 $ 50,000
</Table>
See Notes to Financial Statements 17
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust (the "Trust") is registered as a
non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), as amended. The Trust's investment
objective is to seek to provide a high level of current income exempt from
federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust will
invest in a portfolio consisting substantially of municipal obligations from
those market sectors which the Adviser feels will best meet the Trust's
investment objective. The Trust commenced investment operations on January 22,
1993.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
A. SECURITY VALUATION Municipal bonds are valued by independent pricing services
or dealers using the mean of the bid and asked prices or, in the absence of
market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to municipal
bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions. Securities
which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are valued at
fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day on the
exchange on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining
maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates
market value.
B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS Security transactions are recorded on a trade date
basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The
Trust may purchase and sell securities on a "when-issued" or "delayed delivery"
basis with settlement to occur at a later date. The value of the security so
purchased is subject to market fluctuations during this period. The Trust will
segregate assets with the custodian having an aggregate value at least equal to
the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until
payment is made. At October 31, 2003, the Trust did not have any when-issued or
delayed delivery purchase commitments.
C. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond
premium is amortized and discount is accreted over the expected life of each
applicable security.
D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES It is the Trust's policy to comply with the requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which
allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the
year of the loss and offset
18
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
such losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2003, the
Trust had an accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of
$3,365,379, which will expire between October 31, 2004 and October 31, 2008. Of
this amount, $1,702,886 will expire on October 31, 2004.
At October 31, 2003 the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and
depreciation are as follows:
<Table>
Cost of investments for tax purposes........................ $235,475,717
============
Gross tax unrealized appreciation........................... $ 13,621,912
Gross tax unrealized depreciation........................... (2,424,810)
------------
Net tax unrealized appreciation on investments.............. $ 11,197,102
============
</Table>
E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS The Trust declares and pays monthly
dividends from net investment income to common shareholders. Net realized gains,
if any, are distributed annually on a pro rata basis to common and preferred
shareholders. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may
include short-term capital gains and a portion of futures gains, which are
included as ordinary income for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31,
2003 and 2002 were as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
2003 2002
Distribution paid from:
Ordinary Income........................................... $41,136 $424,794
Long-Term Capital Gain.................................... -0- -0-
------- --------
$41,136 $424,794
======= ========
</Table>
Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses and
realized gains/ losses under accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States of America and federal income tax purposes, permanent differences
between book and tax basis reporting have been identified and appropriately
reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. A permanent book and
tax difference relating to a portion of the capital loss carryforward expiring
in the current year totaling $1,323,361 was reclassified from accumulated net
realized loss to paid in surplus. Additionally, a permanent book and tax
difference relating to expenses which are not deductible for tax purposes
totaling $965 was reclassified from accumulated undistributed net investment
income to paid in surplus. Also, a permanent book and tax difference relating to
book and tax accretion differences totaling $559,416 was reclassified from
accumulated undistributed net investment income to accumulated net realized
loss.
As of October 31, 2003, the components of distributable earnings on a tax
basis were as follows:
<Table>
Undistributed ordinary income............................... $952,648
</Table>
19
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
Net realized gains and losses may differ for financial reporting purposes
primarily as a result of gains or losses recognized for tax purposes on open
future transactions on October 31, 2003.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen
Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") will provide investment advice and
facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .65% of the average
daily net assets of the Trust. In addition, the Trust will pay a monthly
administrative fee to Van Kampen Investments Inc. or its affiliates'
(collectively "Van Kampen"), the Trust's Administrator, at an annual rate of
..10% of the average daily net assets of the Trust. The administrative services
provided by the Administrator include record keeping and reporting
responsibilities with respect to the Trust's portfolio and preferred shares and
providing certain services to shareholders.
For the year ended October 31, 2003, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $16,900 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of
the Trust is an affiliated person.
Under separate Accounting Services and Legal Services agreements, the
Adviser provides accounting and legal services to the Trust. The Adviser
allocates the cost of such services to each trust. For the year ended October
31, 2003, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $34,400 representing
Van Kampen's cost of providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, which
are reported as part of "Other" and "Legal" expenses, respectively, in the
Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors
of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are
officers of Van Kampen.
The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its
trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation
plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a
later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a
ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's years of service to the Trust.
The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500.
3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments,
excluding short-term investments, were $82,012,889 and $96,060,281,
respectively.
4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security
whose value is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate
or index.
In order to seek to manage the interest rate exposure of the Trust's
portfolio in a changing interest rate environment, the Trust may purchase or
sell financial futures contracts or engage in transactions involving interest
rate swaps, caps, floors or collars. The Trust expects to enter into these
transactions primarily as a hedge against anticipated interest rate or
fixed-income market changes, for duration management or for risk management
purposes,
20
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
but may also enter into these transactions to generate additional income. All of
the Trust's portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked to
market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized
appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is
recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying a
futures contract. In this instance, the recognition of gain or loss is postponed
until the disposal of the security underlying the futures contract.
During the period, the Trust invested in futures contracts, a type of
derivative. A futures contract is an agreement involving the delivery of a
particular asset on a specified future date at an agreed upon price. The Trust
generally invests in exchange traded futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds and Notes
and typically closes the contract prior to delivery date. Upon entering into
futures contracts, the Trust maintains an amount of cash or liquid securities
with a value equal to a percentage of the contract amount with either a future
commission merchant pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940
Act, as amended, or with its custodian in an account in the broker's name. This
amount is known as initial margin. During the period the futures contract is
open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the
value of the contract (the variation margin). The risk of loss associated with a
futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected on the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities.
Transactions in futures contracts for the year ended October 31, 2003, were
as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
CONTRACTS
Outstanding at October 31, 2002............................. 205
Futures Opened.............................................. 1,255
Futures Closed.............................................. (1,143)
------
Outstanding at October 31, 2003............................. 317
======
</Table>
The futures contracts outstanding as of October 31, 2003 and the
descriptions and unrealized appreciation/depreciation are as follows:
<Table>
<Caption>
UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS DEPRECIATION
SHORT CONTRACTS:
U.S. Treasury Notes 10-Year Futures
December 2003 (Current Notional Value of $112,297 per
contract)................................................. 61 (203,274)
U.S. Treasury Notes 5-Year Futures
December 2003 (Current Notional Value of $111,813 per
contract)................................................. 256 (562,741)
--- ---------
317 $(766,015)
=== =========
</Table>
5. PREFERRED SHARES
The Trust has outstanding 3,800 Auction Preferred Shares ("APS") in two series.
Series A contains 2,000 shares while Series B contains 1,800 shares. Dividends
are cumulative and the dividend rate for both Series is generally reset every 28
days through an auction process. At
21
NOTES TO
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2003
October 31, 2003, the average rate in effect was 0.865%. During the year ended
October 31, 2003, the rates ranged from 0.750% to 1.800%.
The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share
liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred
auctions. These fees are included as a component of "Preferred Share
Maintenance" expense in the Statement of Operations.
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the
liquidation value of $25,000 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends.
The Trust is subject to certain asset coverage tests and the APS are subject to
mandatory redemption if the tests are not met.
22
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Van Kampen Strategic Sector
Municipal Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van
Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust (the "Trust"), including the portfolio
of investments, as of October 31, 2003, the related statement of operations for
the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two
years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the
four years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits. The Trust's financial highlights for the periods ended
prior to October 31, 2000, were audited by other auditors whose report, dated
December 6, 1999, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial
highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of
securities owned as of October 31, 2003, by correspondence with the Trust's
custodian; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other
auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van
Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust as of October 31, 2003, the results of
its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for
the respective stated periods, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
December 8, 2003
23
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Trust offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which
Common Shareholders who are participants in the Plan may have dividends and
capital gains distributions automatically reinvested in Common Shares of the
Trust. All Common Shareholders are deemed to be participants in the Plan unless
they specifically elect not to participate. Common Shareholders who elect not to
participate in the Plan will receive all distributions of dividends and capital
gains in cash paid by check mailed directly to the Common Shareholder by the
Trust's dividend disbursing agent.
HOW THE PLAN WORKS
State Street Bank and Trust Company, as your Plan Agent, serves as agent for
the Common Shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Trust declares a
dividend or determines to make a capital gains distribution, the Plan Agent
will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy
Common Shares in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere,
for the participants' accounts. The Trust will not issue any new Common Shares
in connection with the Plan. All reinvestments are in full and fractional Common
Shares, carried to three decimal places.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable.
Accordingly, the Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as
applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the
change sent to all Common Shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the
record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or
terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days written notice to all Common
Shareholders of the Trust.
COSTS OF THE PLAN
The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a
pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan
Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends
and distributions. No other charges will be made to participants for reinvesting
dividends or capital gains distributions, except for certain brokerage
commissions, as described above.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
You will receive tax information annually for your personal records and to
help you prepare your federal income tax return. The automatic reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax
which may be payable on dividends or distributions.
24
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
All Common Shareholders of the Trust are deemed to be participants in the
Plan unless they specifically elect not to participate. You may withdraw from
the Plan at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or by writing State Street Bank
and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA 02266-8200. If you withdraw, you
will receive, without charge, a share certificate issued in your name for all
full Common Shares credited to your account under the Plan and a cash payment
will be made for any fractional Common Share credited to your account under the
Plan. You may again elect to participate in the Plan at any time by calling
1-800-341-2929 or writing to the Trust at:
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
Attn: Closed-End Funds
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056
25
BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES
VAN KAMPEN STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPALS TRUST
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DAVID C. ARCH
J. MILES BRANAGAN
JERRY D. CHOATE
ROD DAMMEYER
LINDA HUTTON HEAGY
R. CRAIG KENNEDY
HOWARD J KERR
MITCHELL M. MERIN*
THEODORE A. MYERS
JACK E. NELSON
RICHARD F. POWERS, III*
HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN
WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman
SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY
INVESTMENT ADVISER
VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
1 Parkview Plaza
P.O. Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY
c/o EquiServe
P.O. Box 43011
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3011
LEGAL COUNSEL
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
180 North Stetson Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60601
For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with
respect to the distributions paid by the Trust during its taxable year ended
October 31, 2003. The Trust designated 99.6% of the income distributions as a
tax-exempt income distribution. In January, the Trust provides tax information
to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.
* "Interested persons" of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940, as amended.
26
RESULTS OF
SHAREHOLDER VOTES
The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Trust was held on June 24, 2003,
where shareholders voted on the election of trustees.
With regards to the election of the following trustees by the common
shareholders of the Trust:
<Table>
<Caption>
# OF SHARES
-----------------------------
IN FAVOR WITHHELD
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David C. Arch.............................................. 9,690,966 120,679
Jerry D. Choate............................................ 9,690,212 121,433
Linda Hutton Heagy......................................... 9,694,566 117,079
R. Craig Kennedy........................................... 9,693,700 117,945
Howard J Kerr.............................................. 9,693,966 117,679
Suzanne H. Woolsey......................................... 9,694,566 117,079
</Table>
The other trustees of the Trust whose terms did not expire in 2003 are Rod
Dammeyer, Theodore A. Myers, Richard F. Powers, III, Hugo F. Sonnenschein and
Wayne W. Whalen.
With regard to the vote for the amendment to the Declaration of Trust by common
shareholders of the Trust, 9,461,548 shares voted in favor of the proposal,
220,261 shares voted against and 129,836 shares abstained.
27
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the
Trust's Board of Trustees and the Trust's officers appointed by the Board of
Trustees. The tables below list the trustees and executive officers of the Trust
and their principal occupations during the last five years, other directorships
held by trustees and their affiliations, if any, with Van Kampen Investments
Inc. ("Van Kampen Investments"), Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp. ("Advisory
Corp."), Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. ("Asset Management"), Van Kampen Funds
Inc. (the "Distributor"), Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Exchange Corp.
and Van Kampen Investor Services Inc. ("Investor Services"). Advisory Corp. and
Asset Management sometimes are referred to herein collectively as the
"Advisers." The term "Fund Complex" includes each of the investment companies
advised by the Advisers or their affiliates as of the date of this Statement of
Additional Information. Trustees serve until reaching their retirement age or
until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Officers are annually
elected by the trustees.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
David C. Arch (58) Trustee Trustee Chairman and Chief 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
Blistex Inc. since 1992 Executive Officer of General Partner of funds
1800 Swift Drive Blistex Inc., a consumer in the Fund Complex.
Oak Brook, IL 60523 health care products
manufacturer. Former
Director of the World
Presidents
Organization-Chicago
Chapter. Director of the
Heartland Alliance, a
nonprofit organization
serving human needs based
in Chicago.
J. Miles Branagan (71) Trustee Trustee Private investor. 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
1632 Morning Mountain Road since 2003 Co-founder, and prior to General Partner of funds
Raleigh, NC 27614 August 1996, Chairman, in the Fund Complex.
Chief Executive Officer
and President, MDT
Corporation (now known as
Getinge/Castle, Inc., a
subsidiary of Getinge
Industrier AB), a company
which develops,
manufactures, markets and
services medical and
scientific equipment.
</Table>
28
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Jerry D. Choate (65) Trustee Trustee Prior to January 1999, 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
33971 Selva Road since 2003 Chairman and Chief General Partner of funds
Suite 130 Executive Officer of the in the Fund Complex.
Dana Point, CA 92629 Allstate Corporation Director of Amgen Inc., a
("Allstate") and Allstate biotechnological company,
Insurance Company. Prior and Director of Valero
to January 1995, Energy Corporation, an
President and Chief independent refining
Executive Officer of company.
Allstate. Prior to August
1994, various management
positions at Allstate.
Rod Dammeyer (63) Trustee Trustee President of CAC, llc., a 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
CAC, llc. since 1992 private company offering General Partner of funds
4350 LaJolla Village Drive capital investment and in the Fund Complex.
Suite 980 management advisory Director of TeleTech
San Diego, CA 92122-6223 services. Prior to July Holdings Inc.,
2000, Managing Partner of Stericycle, Inc.,
Equity Group Corporate TheraSense, Inc., GATX
Investment (EGI), a Corporation, Arris Group,
company that makes Inc. and Trustee of the
private investments in University of Chicago
other companies. Hospitals and Health
Systems. Prior to May
2002, Director of
Peregrine Systems Inc.
Prior to February 2001,
Vice Chairman and
Director of Anixter
International, Inc. and
IMC Global Inc. Prior to
July 2000, Director of
Allied Riser
Communications Corp.,
Matria Healthcare Inc.,
Transmedia Networks,
Inc., CNA Surety, Corp.
and Grupo Azcarero Mexico
(GAM). Prior to April
1999, Director of Metal
Management, Inc.
</Table>
29
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Linda Hutton Heagy (55) Trustee Trustee Managing Partner of 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
Heidrick & Struggles since 2003 Heidrick & Struggles, an General Partner of funds
233 South Wacker Drive executive search firm. in the Fund Complex.
Suite 7000 Trustee on the University
Chicago, IL 60606 of Chicago Hospitals
Board, Vice Chair of the
Board of the YMCA of
Metropolitan Chicago and
a member of the Women's
Board of the University
of Chicago. Prior to
1997, Partner of Ray &
Berndtson, Inc., an
executive recruiting
firm. Prior to 1996,
Trustee of The
International House
Board, a fellowship and
housing organization for
international graduate
students. Prior to 1995,
Executive Vice President
of ABN AMRO, N.A., a bank
holding company. Prior to
1992, Executive Vice
President of La Salle
National Bank.
R. Craig Kennedy (51) Trustee Trustee Director and President of 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
11 DuPont Circle, N.W. since 2003 the German Marshall Fund General Partner of funds
Washington, D.C. 20016 of the United States, an in the Fund Complex.
independent U.S.
foundation created to
deepen understanding,
promote collaboration and
stimulate exchanges of
practical experience
between Americans and
Europeans. Formerly,
advisor to the Dennis
Trading Group Inc., a
managed futures and
option company that
invests money for
individuals and
institutions. Prior to
1992, President and Chief
Executive Officer,
Director and member of
the Investment Committee
of the Joyce Foundation,
a private foundation.
Howard J Kerr (68) Trustee Trustee Prior to 1998, President 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
736 North Western Avenue since 1992 and Chief Executive General Partner of funds
P.O. Box 317 Officer of Pocklington in the Fund Complex.
Lake Forest, IL 60045 Corporation, Inc., an Director of the Lake
investment holding Forest Bank & Trust.
company. Director of the
Marrow Foundation.
</Table>
30
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Theodore A. Myers (73) Trustee Trustee Financial consultant, 36 Director of Met Life
550 Washington Avenue since 1992 Trustee or Managing Investors (formerly knows
Glencoe, IL 60022 General Partner of other as COVA Financial Life
funds in the Closed-End Insurance). Prior to
Fund Complex. Prior to 1997, Director of McLouth
1998, Senior Financial Steel.
Advisor (and, prior to
1997, an Executive Vice
President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Director) of Qualitech
Steel Corporation, a
producer of high quality
engineered steels for
automotive,
transportation and
capital goods industries.
Prior to 1997, member of
the Arthur Andersen Chief
Financial Officers'
Advisory Committee.
Jack E. Nelson (67) Trustee Trustee President of Nelson 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
423 Country Club Drive since 2003 Investment Planning General Partner of funds
Winter Park, FL 32789 Services, Inc., a in the Fund Complex.
financial planning
company and registered
investment adviser in the
State of Florida.
President of Nelson Ivest
Brokerage Services Inc.,
a member of the NASD,
Securities Investors
Protection Corp. and the
Municipal Securities
Rulemaking Board.
President of Nelson Sales
and Services Corporation,
a marketing and services
company to support
affiliated companies.
Hugo F. Sonnenschein (63) Trustee Trustee President Emeritus and 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
1126 E. 59th Street since 1994 Honorary Trustee of the General Partner of funds
Chicago, IL 60637 University of Chicago and in the Fund Complex.
the Adam Smith Director of Winston
Distinguished Service Laboratories, Inc.
Professor in the
Department of Economics
at the University of
Chicago. Prior to July
2000, President of the
University of Chicago.
Trustee of the University
of Rochester and a member
of its investment
committee. Member of the
National Academy of
Sciences, the American
Philosophical Society and
a fellow of the American
Academy of Arts and
Sciences.
</Table>
31
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Suzanne H. Woolsey (61) Trustee Trustee Currently with Paladin 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
2101 Constitution Ave., N.W. since 2003 Capital Group/Paladin General Partner of funds
Room 285 Homeland Security Fund. in the Fund Complex.
Washington, D.C. 20418 Previously Chief Director of Neurogen
Communications Officer of Corporation, a
the National Academy of pharmaceutical company,
Sciences/National since January 1998.
Research Council, an
independent, federally
chartered policy
institution, since 2001
and Chief Operating
Officer from 1993 to
2001. Director of the
Institute for Defense
Analyses, a federally
funded research and
development center,
Director of the German
Marshall Fund of the
United States, and
Trustee of Colorado
College. Prior to 1993,
Executive Director of the
Commission on Behavioral
and Social Sciences and
Education at the National
Academy of
Sciences/National
Research Council. From
1980 through 1989,
Partner of Coopers &
Lybrand.
</Table>
32
INTERESTED TRUSTEES*
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Mitchell M. Merin* (50) Trustee, Trustee President and Chief 88 Trustee/Director/Managing
1221 Avenue of the Americas President since 2002 Executive Officer of General Partner of funds
New York, NY 10020 and Chief funds in the Fund in the Fund Complex.
Executive Complex. Chairman,
Officer President, Chief
Executive Officer and
Director of the Advisers
and VK Advisors Inc.
since December 2002.
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
of Van Kampen Investments
since December 2002.
Director of Van Kampen
Investments since
December 1999. Chairman
and Director of Van
Kampen Funds Inc. since
December 2002. President,
Director and Chief
Operating Officer of
Morgan Stanley Investment
Management since December
1998. President and
Director since April 1997
and Chief Executive
Officer since June 1998
of Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors Inc.
and Morgan Stanley
Services Company Inc.
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director of
Morgan Stanley
Distributors Inc. since
June 1998. Chairman since
June 1998, and Director
since January 1998 of
Morgan Stanley Trust.
Director of various
Morgan Stanley
subsidiaries. President
of the Morgan Stanley
Funds since May 1999.
Previously Chief
Executive Officer of Van
Kampen Funds Inc. from
December 2002 to July
2003, Chief Strategic
Officer of Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors Inc.
and Morgan Stanley
Services Company Inc. and
Executive Vice President
of Morgan Stanley
Distributors Inc. from
April 1997 to June 1998.
Chief Executive Officer
from September 2002 to
April 2003 and Vice
President from May 1997
to April 1999 of the
Morgan Stanley Funds.
</Table>
33
<Table>
<Caption>
NUMBER OF
TERM OF FUNDS IN
OFFICE AND FUND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF COMPLEX
NAME, AGE AND ADDRESS HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS
OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS BY TRUSTEE HELD BY TRUSTEE
Richard F. Powers, III* (57) Trustee Trustee Advisory Director of 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
1 Parkview Plaza since 1999 Morgan Stanley. Prior to General Partner of funds
P.O. Box 5555 December 2002, Chairman, in the Fund Complex.
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Director, President,
Chief Executive Officer
and Managing Director of
Van Kampen Investments
and its investment
advisory, distribution
and other subsidiaries.
Prior to December 2002,
President and Chief
Executive Officer of
funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to May
1998, Executive Vice
President and Director of
Marketing at Morgan
Stanley and Director of
Dean Witter, Discover &
Co. and Dean Witter
Realty. Prior to 1996,
Director of Dean Witter
Reynolds Inc.
Wayne W. Whalen* (64) Trustee Trustee Partner in the law firm 90 Trustee/Director/Managing
333 West Wacker Drive since 1992 of Skadden, Arps, Slate, General Partner of funds
Chicago, IL 60606 Meagher & Flom in the Fund Complex.
(Illinois), legal counsel
to funds in the Fund
Complex.
</Table>
* Such trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of certain
funds in the Fund Complex by reason of his firm currently acting as legal
counsel to such funds in the Fund Complex. Messrs. Merin and Powers are
interested persons of funds in the Fund Complex and the Advisers by reason
of their current or former positions with Morgan Stanley or its affiliates.
34
OFFICERS
<Table>
<Caption>
TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS
Stephen L. Boyd (63) Vice President Officer Managing Director of Global Research Investment Management.
2800 Post Oak Blvd. since 1998 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to
45th Floor December 2002, Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen
Houston, TX 77056 Investments and President and Chief Operations Officer of
the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May 2002,
Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of
funds in the Fund Complex. Prior to May 2001, Managing
Director and Chief Investment Officer of Van Kampen
Investments, and Managing Director and President of the
Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to December
2000, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer
of Van Kampen Investments, and President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Advisers. Prior to April 2000, Executive Vice
President and Chief Investment Officer for Equity
Investments of the Advisers. Prior to October 1998, Vice
President and Senior Portfolio Manager with AIM Capital
Management, Inc. Prior to February 1998, Senior Vice
President and Portfolio Manager of Van Kampen American
Capital Asset Management, Inc., Van Kampen American Capital
Investment Advisory Corp. and Van Kampen American Capital
Management, Inc.
Stefanie V. Chang (37) Vice President Officer Executive Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management.
1221 Avenue of the Americas since 2003 Vice President of funds in the Fund Complex.
New York, NY 10020
Joseph J. McAlinden (60) Executive Vice Officer Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Morgan
1221 Avenue of the Americas President and Chief since 2002 Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment
New York, NY 10020 Investment Officer Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investments LP and
Director of Morgan Stanley Trust for over 5 years. Executive
Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of funds in the
Fund Complex. Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer
of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers and Van Kampen
Advisors Inc. since December 2002.
</Table>
35
<Table>
<Caption>
TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS
John R. Reynoldson (50) Vice President Officer Executive Director and Portfolio Specialist of the Advisers
1 Parkview Plaza since 2000 and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Vice President of funds in the
P.O. Box 5555 Fund Complex. Prior to July 2001, Principal and Co-head of
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 the Fixed Income Department of the Advisers and Van Kampen
Advisors Inc. Prior to December 2000, Senior Vice President
of the Advisers and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. Prior to May
2000, Senior Vice President of the investment grade taxable
group for the Advisers. Prior to June 1999, Senior Vice
President of the government securities bond group for Asset
Management.
Ronald E. Robison (64) Executive Vice Officer Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Investor Services.
1221 Avenue of the Americas President and Principal since 2003 Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of
New York, NY 10020 Executive Officer funds in the Fund Complex. Chief Global Operations Officer
and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment
Management Inc. Managing Director of Morgan Stanley.
Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment
Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. Chief
Executive Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Trust. Vice
President of the Morgan Stanley Funds.
A. Thomas Smith III (46) Vice President and Officer Managing Director of Morgan Stanley, Managing Director and
1221 Avenue of the Americas Secretary since 1999 Director of Van Kampen Investments, Director of the
New York, NY 10020 Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., the Distributor,
Investor Services and certain other subsidiaries of Van
Kampen Investments. Managing Director and General
Counsel-Mutual Funds of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors,
Inc. Vice President and Secretary of funds in the Fund
Complex. Prior to July 2001, Managing Director, General
Counsel, Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments,
the Advisers, the Distributor, Investor Services, and
certain other subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Prior
to December 2000, Executive Vice President, General Counsel,
Secretary and Director of Van Kampen Investments, the
Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc., the Distributor,
Investor Services and certain other subsidiaries of Van
Kampen Investments. Prior to January 1999, Vice President
and Associate General Counsel to New York Life Insurance
Company ("New York Life"), and prior to March 1997,
Associate General Counsel of New York Life. Prior to
December 1993, Assistant General Counsel of The Dreyfus
Corporation. Prior to August 1991, Senior Associate, Willkie
Farr & Gallagher. Prior to January 1989, Staff Attorney at
the Securities and Exchange Commission, Division of
Investment Management, Office of Chief Counsel.
</Table>
36
<Table>
<Caption>
TERM OF
OFFICE AND
POSITION(S) LENGTH OF
NAME, AGE AND HELD WITH TIME PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
ADDRESS OF OFFICER TRUST SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS
John L. Sullivan (48) Vice President, Chief Officer Director and Managing Director of Van Kampen Investments,
1 Parkview Plaza Financial Officer and since 1996 the Advisers, Van Kampen Advisors Inc. and certain other
P.O. Box 5555 Treasurer subsidiaries of Van Kampen Investments. Vice President,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of funds in the Fund
Complex. Head of Fund Accounting for Morgan Stanley
Investment Management. Prior to December 2002, Executive
Director of Van Kampen Investments, the Advisers and Van
Kampen Advisors Inc.
</Table>
37
Van Kampen
Privacy Notice
The Van Kampen companies and investment products* respect your right to privacy.
We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an
accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain
nonpublic personal information about you. This is information we collect from
you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you conduct with
us, our affiliates, or third parties. We may also collect information you
provide when using our Web site, and text files (also known as "cookies") may be
placed on your computer to help us to recognize you and to facilitate
transactions you initiate. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information
about you or any of our former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.
For instance, so that we may continue to offer you Van Kampen investment
products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions
that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect to
companies that perform services on our behalf, such as printers and mailers that
assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use
this information only for the services for which we hired them, and are not
permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose. To protect
your nonpublic personal information internally, we permit access to it only by
authorized employees, and maintain physical, electronic and procedural
safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information.
* Includes Van Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.,
Van Kampen Asset Management Inc., Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen
Management Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc.,
Van Kampen System Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as the many
Van Kampen mutual funds and Van Kampen unit investment trusts.
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555
www.vankampen.com
(VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO)
Copyright (C)2003 Van Kampen
Funds Inc. All rights reserved.
VKS ANR 12/03 Member NASD/SIPC.
12557L03-AS-12/03
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) The Trust has adopted a code of ethics (the "Code of Ethics") that
applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar
functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust or
a third party.
(b) No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
(f)
(1) The Trust's Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 10A.
(2) Not applicable.
(3) Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The Trust's Board of Trustees has determined that it has four "audit committee
financial experts" serving on its audit committee, each of whom are
"independent" Trustees : J. Miles Branagan, Jerry Choate, R. Craig Kennedy and
Theodore A. Myers. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined
to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an "expert" for any
purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an
audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person
as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any
duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties,
obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit
committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or
identification.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Applicable only for reports covering fiscal years ending on or after December
15, 2003.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Applicable only for reports covering periods ending on or after the earlier of
(i) the first annual shareholder meeting after January 15, 2004 or (ii) October
31, 2004.
Item 6. [Reserved.]
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies.
The Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item
is not applicable to the Trust.
Item 8. [Reserved.]
Item 9. 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.
There were no significant changes or corrective actions with regard to
significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Trust's internal controls
or in other factors that could significantly affect the Trust's internal
controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal half-year
(the registrant's second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that
has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the
registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
Item 10. Exhibits.
(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is
attached hereto.
(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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Van Kampen Strategic Sector Municipal Trust
By: /s/Ronald E. Robison
---------------------
Name: Ronald E. Robison
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: December 18, 2003
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
By: /s/Ronald E. Robison
---------------------
Name: Ronald E. Robison
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: December 18, 2003
By: /s/ John L. Sullivan
--------------------
Name: John L. Sullivan
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: December 18, 2003