FORM N-CSRS
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSRS
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-6567
Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
 
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip code)
Edward C. Wood III
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
 
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-762-4000
Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
Date of reporting period: 4/30/09
 
 


 

Item 1. Report to Shareholders.
 
The Trust’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:
 
Welcome, Shareholder
 
In this report, you’ll learn about how your investment in Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust performed during the semiannual 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 April 30, 2009.
 
 
Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the trust will achieve its investment objective. Trusts are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the trust will decline and that the value of the trust shares may therefore be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this trust.
 
Income may subject certain individuals to the federal Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).
 
             
NOT FDIC INSURED
    OFFER NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
    NOT A DEPOSIT
             


 

Performance Summary as of 4/30/09
 
                         
Municipal Opportunity Trust
Symbol: VMO
Average Annual
    Based
    Based on
Total Returns     on NAV     Market Price
                         
Since Inception (4/24/92)       5.44 %         5.57 %  
                         
10-year       3.14           4.16    
                         
5-year       –0.35           2.20    
                         
1-year       –13.08           –10.01    
                         
6-month       14.13           21.87    
 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For the most recent month-end performance figures, please visit vankampen.com or speak with your financial advisor. Investment returns, net asset value (NAV) and common share market price will fluctuate and trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
 
NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the trust’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities and preferred shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding. The common share market price is the price the market is willing to pay for shares of the trust at a given time. Common share market price is influenced by a range of factors, including supply and demand and market conditions. Total return assumes an investment at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the trust’s dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the end of the period. The trust’s advisor has waived or reimbursed fees and expenses from time to time. Absent such waivers/ reimbursements the trust’s returns would have been lower. Periods of less than one year are not annualized.
 
The Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index, which has been shown in the Trust’s previous shareholder reports, changed its name to Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index as of November 3, 2008. The Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index is generally representative of investment-grade, tax exempt bonds. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
 
 
1


 

Trust Report
For the six-month period ended April 30, 2009
 
Market Conditions
 
The six months under review can be divided into two distinct periods in terms of municipal market performance. The first of these, spanning the last two months of 2008, marked one of the worst periods in the history of the financial markets as the sell off that began in September continued through year end. Investors fled risky assets in favor of the relative safety of Treasury securities and money market funds, massive deleveraging and forced selling ensued, and tax-exempt bond funds experienced significant outflows. These factors pushed municipal bond prices to their cheapest levels in history relative to Treasury bonds.
 
Not surprisingly in this risk-averse environment, the lower-rated segment of the market underperformed, with high-yield municipal bonds (those rated below triple-B or non-rated issues) returning -12.91 percent for the last two months of 2008 (as measured by the Barclays Capital High Yield Municipal Bond Index) while triple-B rated issues returned -7.33 percent and triple-A rated issues returned 3.46 percent (as measured within the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index).
 
The first four months of 2009 were markedly better for municipal bond investors. Credit concerns eased, deleveraging slowed considerably, and investors re-entered the market, driving municipal bond prices higher. Yields declined by as much as 95 basis points on the front end of the municipal yield curve during the period, while yields on long-maturity issues fell roughly 50 basis points. The rally was accompanied by a narrowing of credit spreads, which helped the high-yield segment of the market to outperform. As a result, high-yield municipals returned 10.00 percent, triple-B rated issues returned 11.11 percent and triple-A rated issues returned 4.83 percent for the first four months of 2009.
 
Although the high-yield segment rebounded nicely in 2009 to date, the gains were not enough to offset the losses in the last two months of 2008. As a result, higher-quality issues outperformed for the overall six-month reporting period. With regard to sectors, performance was largely dependent on credit quality, with the lower-quality industrial development revenue/pollution control revenue (i.e. corporate-backed) and tobacco sectors turning in the worst performance while water and sewer and housing bonds posted the highest returns.
 
For the first four months of 2009, municipal bond issuance was down 13 percent versus the same period in 2008 yet was easily placed due to robust retail demand. With the continued deterioration of credit quality of municipal bond issuers, insured bond volume represented a mere 12 percent of total issuance, a dramatic decline from the 55 percent average over the past few years. This large increase in uninsured bonds has disrupted many historical measures of value in the municipal bond market. In a significant reversal from the last months of 2008,
 
 
2


 

municipal bond funds saw approximately $17 billion in net inflows as investors recognized the historical cheapness of the municipal sector.
 
Performance Analysis
 
The Trust’s return can be calculated based upon either the market price or the net asset value (NAV) of its shares. NAV per share is determined by dividing the value of the Trust’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets, less all liabilities and preferred shares, by the total number of common shares outstanding, while market price reflects the supply and demand for the shares. As a result, the two returns can differ, as they did during the reporting period. On both an NAV basis and a market price basis, the Trust outperformed the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”).
 
Total return for the six-month period ended April 30, 2009
 
                                       
    Based on
    Based on
    Barclays Capital
   
    NAV     Market Price     Municipal Bond Index    
                                       
      14.13 %         21.87 %         8.20 %      
 
 
 
Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Investment return, net asset value and common share market price will fluctuate and Trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. See Performance Summary for additional performance information and index definition.
 
The primary contributors to the Trust’s performance during the reporting period included strong security selection within the industrial development revenue/pollution control revenue (IDR/PCR) sector. The Trust’s holdings in the housing, airport transportation and public utilities sectors, held in the form of inverse floating-rate securities*, were additive to performance. Additionally, the portfolio’s focus on the longer end of the maturity spectrum was beneficial as longer maturity issues generally outperformed for the reporting period.
 
Other positions, however, detracted from relative performance. A significant underweight in tax-supported state and local general obligation bonds with coupons of 5.0 to 5.5 percent held back returns as these securities performed well. An underweight allocation in the higher education sector, coupled with unfavorable security selection, also detracted from returns. Lastly, an overweight in the tobacco sector was disadvantageous. This was the only sector in the portfolio that experienced negative returns during the period.
 
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has approved a procedure whereby the Trust may, when appropriate, repurchase its shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or NAV, whichever is

*An inverse floating-rate security, or “inverse floater”, is a variable rate security whose coupon rate changes in the opposite direction from the change in the reference rate used to calculate the coupon rate.
 
 
3


 

lower at the time of purchase. This may help support the market value of the Trust’s shares.
 
There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Trust in the future.
 
 
4


 

         
Ratings Allocation as of 4/30/2009 (Unaudited)
 
AAA/Aaa
    27.8 %
AA/Aa
    36.8  
A/A
    11.5  
BBB/Baa
    12.0  
BB/Ba
    1.4  
B/B
    0.1  
Non-Rated
    10.4  
         
         
Top 5 Sectors as of 4/30/2009 (Unaudited)
 
Hospital
    19.4 %
Airports
    12.1  
Wholesale Electric
    8.4  
General Purpose
    8.2  
Utilities
    5.4  
         
         
Summary of Investments by State Classification as of 4/30/2009 (Unaudited)
 
Texas
    13.6 %
Illinois
    10.1  
California
    9.2  
New Jersey
    8.5  
Florida
    6.8  
New York
    5.4  
Washington
    5.0  
Ohio
    3.8  
North Carolina
    3.5  
South Carolina
    3.1  
Georgia
    2.9  
Arizona
    2.4  
District of Columbia
    2.4  
Missouri
    2.2  
Colorado
    2.2  
Kentucky
    1.6  
Wisconsin
    1.5  
Nevada
    1.4  
Louisiana
    1.4  
Pennsylvania
    1.3  
Massachusetts
    1.3  
Maryland
    1.1  
Indiana
    1.0  
Tennessee
    1.0  
Oklahoma
    0.9  
Connecticut
    0.9  
Alabama
    0.7  
Minnesota
    0.6  
Iowa
    0.6  
Kansas
    0.5  
Michigan
    0.5  
New Hampshire
    0.5  
West Virginia
    0.4  
New Mexico
    0.3  
Idaho
    0.3  
(continued on next page)
 
 
 
5


 

         
Summary of Investments by State Classification as of 4/30/2009 (Unaudited)
(continued from previous page)
 
Utah
    0.3 %
Virginia
    0.2  
Alaska
    0.2  
South Dakota
    0.2  
Wyoming
    0.1  
North Dakota
    0.1  
         
Total Investments
    100.0 %
 
 
Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Ratings and summary of investments by state classification are as a percentage of total investments. Sectors are as a percentage of total long-term investments. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Van Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global securities firm which is engaged in a wide range of financial services including, for example, securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively.
 
 
6


 

Portfolio Management
 
Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust is managed by members of the Adviser’s Municipal Fixed Income team. The Municipal Fixed Income team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. The current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust’s portfolio are William D. Black, an Executive Director of the Adviser, Wayne D. Godlin, a Managing Director of the Adviser, Mark Paris, an Executive Director of the Adviser, and Robert W. Wimmel, an Executive Director of the Adviser.
 
Mr. Black has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1998 and began managing the Trust in December 2007. Mr. Godlin has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1988 and began managing the Trust in December 2007. Mr. Paris has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 2002 and began managing the Trust in December 2007. Mr. Wimmel has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1996 and began managing the Trust in November 2001. All team members are responsible for the execution of the overall strategy of the Trust’s portfolio. The composition of the team may change from time to time.
 
For More Information About Portfolio Holdings
 
Each Van Kampen trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the trust’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Van Kampen also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders, and makes these reports available on its public Web site, www.vankampen.com. In addition to the semiannual and annual reports that Van Kampen delivers to shareholders and makes available through the Van Kampen public Web site, each fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust’s first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Van Kampen does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Van Kampen public Web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC’s Web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.
 
You may obtain copies of a trust’s fiscal quarter filings by contacting Van Kampen Client Relations at (800) 341-2929.
 
 
7


 

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record
 
You may obtain a copy of the Trust’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 341-2929 or by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. It is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
You may obtain information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 without charge by visiting our Web site at www.vankampen.com. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
 
 
8


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Municipal Bonds  188.4%
Alabama  1.3%
$ 1,000     Alabama Bldg Renovation Fin Auth Rev Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)     5.625 %   09/01/24   $ 1,027,990  
  1,975     Bessemer, AL Governmental Util Svc Corp Wtr Supply Rev Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     06/01/39     1,941,188  
  1,250     Healthcare Auth for Baptist Hlth AL, Ser A (b)     6.125     11/15/36     1,255,038  
  1,600     Huntsville Redstone Vlg, AL Spl Care Fac Fin Auth Redstone Vlg Proj     5.500     01/01/43     940,992  
  5     Mobile, AL Indl Dev Brd Solid Waste Disp Rev Mobile Energy Svc Co Proj Rfdg (f)     6.950     01/01/20     444  
                             
                          5,165,652  
                             
        Alaska  0.4%
  3,000     Northern Tob Sec Corp AK Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A     5.000     06/01/46     1,570,980  
                             
         
        Arizona  4.7%
  1,425     Arizona Cap Fac Fin Corp Student Hsg Rev AZ St Univ Proj     6.250     09/01/32     1,134,784  
  1,575     Arizona St Trans Brd Hwy Rev, Ser B     5.000     07/01/25     1,691,692  
  2,365     Arizona St Trans Brd Hwy Rev, Ser B     5.000     07/01/26     2,520,593  
  3,000     Goodyear, AZ McDowell Rd Coml Corridor Impt Dist Impt (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     01/01/32     2,668,560  
  1,500     Maricopa Cnty, AZ Stad Dist Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)     5.375     06/01/19     1,572,150  
  2,100     Pima Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Global Wtr Resh LLC Proj (AMT)     6.550     12/01/37     1,462,545  
  175     Pima Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Indl Rev Lease Oblig Irvington Proj Tucson Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd)     7.250     07/15/10     175,907  
  1,930     Salt Riv Proj AZ Agric Impt & Pwr Dist Elec Sys Rev, Ser A     5.000     01/01/28     2,017,197  
  6,340     University of AZ Med Ctr Corp     5.000     07/01/35     4,821,063  
                             
                          18,064,491  
                             
        California  17.6%
  2,630     Anaheim, CA Pub Fin Auth Lease Rev Cap Apprec Sub Pub Impt Proj, Ser C (FSA Insd)     *     09/01/20     1,400,002  
  2,400     Bay Area Govt Assn CA Rev Tax Alloc CA Redev Pool, Ser A (Syncora Gtd)     5.250     09/01/29     2,018,688  
  4,000     Bay Area Toll Auth CA Toll Brdg Rev San Francisco Bay Area, Ser F1     5.000     04/01/39     3,944,840  
  750     Beverly Hills, CA Uni Sch Dist Cap Apprec 2008 Election     *     08/01/28     269,370  
  1,050     California Cnty, CA Tob Sec Agy Asset Bkd Merced Cnty Rfdg, Ser A     5.125     06/01/38     608,044  
  1,750     California Cnty, CA Tob Sec Agy Asset Bkd Sonoma Cnty Corp Rfdg     5.250     06/01/45     927,780  
  4,200     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser G (AMT) (a)     4.950     08/01/23     3,664,248  
 
 
9
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        California (Continued)
$ 2,800     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser G (AMT) (a)     5.050 %   02/01/29   $ 2,284,576  
  2,900     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser K (AMT) (a)     5.300     08/01/23     2,639,725  
  3,400     California Hsg Fin Agy Rev Home Mtg, Ser K (AMT) (a)     5.450     08/01/28     2,939,708  
  2,000     California Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Solid Waste Disp Rev Waste Mgmt Inc Proj, Ser B (AMT)     5.000     07/01/27     1,687,360  
  10     California Rural Home Mtg Fin Auth Single Family Mtg Rev, Ser C (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     7.800     02/01/28     10,213  
  420     California St (AMBAC Insd)     5.125     10/01/27     420,055  
  725     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/24     777,584  
  900     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/25     957,456  
  900     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/26     950,409  
  525     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/27     549,969  
  900     California St Dept Wtr Res Wtr Rev Cent Vly Proj, Ser AE (a)     5.000     12/01/28     936,630  
  2,000     California St Pub Wk Brd Lease Rev Dept Mental Hlth Coalinga, Ser A     5.000     06/01/25     1,843,040  
  1,700     California St Var Purp     5.750     04/01/31     1,734,680  
  5,000     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Hlth Fac Adventist Hlth, Ser A     5.000     03/01/30     4,251,150  
  3,000     California Statewide Cmnty Dev Auth Rev Hlth Fac Adventist Hlth, Ser A     5.000     03/01/35     2,456,130  
  410     Daly City, CA Hsg Dev Fin Agy Mobile Home Pk Rev Rfdg Third Tier Franciscan, Ser C     6.500     12/15/47     292,236  
  5,000     Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Cap Apprec Rfdg     *     01/15/25     1,187,400  
  4,000     Foothill/Eastern Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd Rev Conv Cap Apprec Sr Lien, Ser A (b) (c)     7.050     01/01/10     4,176,280  
  5,000     Golden St Tob Sec Corp CA Tob Settlement, Ser A-1     5.750     06/01/47     2,879,000  
  375     Morongo Band of Mission Indians CA Enterprise Rev Indians Enterprise Casino, Ser B (d)     5.500     03/01/18     311,869  
  1,000     Palomar Pomerado Hlthcare Dist CA Ctf Partn, Ser B (FSA Insd) (b) (e)     2.700     11/01/36     1,000,000  
  800     Palomar Pomerado Hlthcare Dist CA Ctf Partn, Ser C (FSA Insd) (b) (e)     4.000     11/01/36     800,000  
  2,200     Quechan Indian Tribe Ft Yuma Indian Reservation CA & Govt Proj     7.000     12/01/27     1,529,264  
  3,500     Rancho Mirage, CA Jt Pwrs Eisenhower Med Ctr, Ser A     5.000     07/01/47     2,826,145  
 
 
10
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        California (Continued)
$ 1,150     San Francisco, CA City & Cnty Arpt Commn Intl Arpt Rfdg, Ser A-4 (AMT) (b)     6.500 %   05/01/19   $ 1,193,976  
  2,400     Tobacco Sec Auth Northn CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A-1     5.375     06/01/38     1,449,408  
  1,600     Tobacco Sec Auth Northn CA Tob Settlement Rev Asset Bkd, Ser A-1     5.500     06/01/45     886,512  
  6,000     Tobacco Sec Auth Southn CA Tob Settlement, Ser A-1     5.000     06/01/37     3,418,740  
  10,000     Tobacco Sec Auth Southn CA Tob Settlement, Ser A-1     5.125     06/01/46     5,169,000  
  1,600     Turlock, CA Hlth Fac Rev Ctf Partn Emanuel Med Ctr Inc     5.375     10/15/34     1,038,112  
  3,000     Vernon, CA Nat Gas Fin Auth Rev Vernon Gas Proj, Ser C (NATL Insd) (b) (e)     6.750     08/01/21     3,000,000  
                             
                          68,429,599  
                             
        Colorado  3.4%
  500     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Hlth & Residential Care Fac Volunteers of Amer Care, Ser A     5.250     07/01/27     324,735  
  375     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Hlth & Residential Care Fac Volunteers of Amer Care, Ser A     5.300     07/01/37     211,391  
  4,475     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Catholic Hlth, Ser C-5 (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     09/01/36     4,319,673  
  3,700     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Evangelical Lutheran     5.000     06/01/35     2,747,842  
  1,000     Colorado Hlth Fac Auth Rev Hosp Portercare Adventist Hlth (Prerefunded @ 11/15/11)     6.500     11/15/31     1,132,640  
  645     Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Multi-Family Hsg Ins Mtg, Ser B-2 (FHA Gtd) (AMT)     5.800     10/01/28     645,058  
  15     Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Pgm Sr, Ser A-2 (AMT)     7.250     05/01/27     15,279  
  5     Colorado Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Pgm Sr, Ser C-1 (AMT)     7.550     11/01/27     5,147  
  530     Highlands Ranch Metro Dist No 2 CO (FSA Insd) (c)     6.500     06/15/11     590,584  
  470     Highlands Ranch Metro Dist No 2 CO (FSA Insd)     6.500     06/15/11     522,175  
  940     Montezuma Cnty, CO Hosp Dist Hlth Fac Enterprise Hosp Rfdg (f)     5.900     10/01/37     612,720  
  1,500     Salida, CO Hosp Dist Rev     5.250     10/01/36     883,845  
  1,500     University of CO Hosp Auth Rev, Ser A     5.250     11/15/39     1,155,510  
                             
                          13,166,599  
                             
        Connecticut  1.7%
  6,500     Connecticut St Spl Oblig Pkg Rev Bradley Intl Arpt, Ser A (ACA Insd) (AMT)     6.600     07/01/24     4,964,635  
 
 
11
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Connecticut (Continued)
$ 1,000     Hartford, CT Pkg Sys Rev, Ser A
(Prerefunded @ 7/01/10)
    6.400 %   07/01/20   $ 1,066,560  
  1,575     Mashantucket West Pequot Tribe CT Spl Rev, Ser A (d)     5.500     09/01/36     754,677  
                             
                          6,785,872  
                             
        District of Columbia  4.5%
  2,500     District Columbia Rev Gonzaga College (FSA Insd)     5.250     07/01/32     2,083,900  
  700     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Rfdg Sub Lien, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/29     708,897  
  1,425     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Rfdg Sub Lien, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/34     1,429,189  
  8,000     District Columbia Wtr & Swr Auth Pub Util Rev Sub Lien, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.500     10/01/41     8,271,760  
  5,350     Metropolitan Washington DC Arpt Auth Sys, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.250     10/01/32     4,994,813  
                             
                          17,488,559  
                             
        Florida  12.6%
  1,000     Alachua Cnty, FL Indl Dev Rev North FL Retirement Vlg     5.875     11/15/36     667,460  
  500     Alachua Cnty, FL Indl Dev Rev North FL Retirement Vlg     5.875     11/15/42     325,620  
  340     Beacon Lakes, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt, Ser A     6.000     05/01/38     212,990  
  250     Beacon Lakes, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt Sub, Ser B     6.200     05/01/38     153,547  
  1,240     Brevard Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Residential Care Fac Rev Buena Vida Estates Inc     6.750     01/01/37     889,650  
  390     Escambia Cnty, FL Hlth Auth Rev FL Hlthcare Fac Ln VHA Pgm (AMBAC Insd)     5.950     07/01/20     402,035  
  2,540     Florida St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Dept Trans Rfdg, Ser A (a)     5.000     07/01/26     2,544,369  
  2,580     Florida St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Dept Trans Rfdg, Ser A (a)     5.000     07/01/27     2,569,551  
  2,805     Florida St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Dept Trans Rfdg, Ser A (a)     5.000     07/01/28     2,764,075  
  2,500     Florida St Tpk Auth Tpk Rev Dept Trans Rfdg, Ser A (a)     5.000     07/01/32     2,433,000  
  780     Highlands, FL Cmnty Dev Dist Spl Assmt     5.550     05/01/36     422,776  
  900     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Aviation Auth Rev, Ser A (AGL Insd) (AMT) (a)     5.375     10/01/33     844,776  
  2,000     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Aviation Auth Rev, Ser A (AGL Insd) (AMT) (a)     5.500     10/01/38     1,886,220  
  700     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Hillsborough Cnty Ida Rfdg (AMBAC Insd) (b)     5.000     12/01/34     704,893  
 
 
12
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Florida (Continued)
$ 775     Hillsborough Cnty, FL Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Tampa Elec, Ser B (b)     5.150 %   09/01/25   $ 774,736  
  670     Main Str Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A (Acquired 2/19/08, Cost $670,642) (g)     6.800     05/01/38     426,227  
  400     Main Str Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser B (Acquired 2/19/08, Cost $400,383) (g)     6.900     05/01/17     319,720  
  2,100     Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation Rev Miami Intl Arpt (AGL Insd) (AMT)     5.375     10/01/27     2,041,326  
  2,500     Miami-Dade Cnty, FL Aviation Rev Miami Intl Arpt (AGC Insd) (AMT)     5.375     10/01/32     2,361,650  
  570     Midtown Miami, FL Cmnty Dev FL Spl Assmt Rev, Ser A     6.000     05/01/24     409,135  
  2,375     North Broward, FL Hosp Dist Rev Impt (Prerefunded @ 1/15/11)     6.000     01/15/31     2,579,203  
  1,525     Orange Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev First Mtg Orlando Lutheran Tower     5.500     07/01/32     944,265  
  545     Overoaks, FL Cmnty Dev Dist Cap Impt Rev, Ser A     6.125     05/01/35     303,009  
  1,000     Palm Beach Cnty, FL Hlth Fac Auth Rev Wtrford Proj     5.875     11/15/37     750,240  
  2,400     Palm Beach Cnty, FL Solid Waste Auth Rev Impt (BHAC Insd)     5.500     10/01/23     2,585,352  
  5,500     Port St Lucie, FL Spl Assmt Rev Southwest Annexation Dist 1-B (NATL Insd)     5.000     07/01/40     4,339,940  
  2,900     Putnam Cnty, FL Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Rfdg Seminole Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (b)     5.350     03/15/42     2,933,669  
  490     Reunion East Cmnty Dev Dist FL Spl Assmt     5.800     05/01/36     251,115  
  750     Seminole Tribe FL Spl Oblig Rev, Ser A (d)     5.750     10/01/22     601,815  
  870     Seven Oaks, FL Cmnty Dev Dist II Spl Assmt Rev, Ser A     5.875     05/01/35     445,710  
  7,510     South Miami, FL Hlth Fac Auth Hosp Rev Baptist Hlth South FL Group (a)     5.000     08/15/32     6,845,515  
  1,720     South Vlg Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A     5.700     05/01/35     990,101  
  750     Sterling Hill Cmnty Dev Dist FL Cap Impt Rev, Ser A     6.200     05/01/35     596,730  
  2,100     Tolomato Cmnty, FL Dev Dist Spl Assmt     6.650     05/01/40     1,422,813  
  470     World Commerce Cmnty Dev Dist FL Spl Assmt     5.500     05/01/38     186,378  
                             
                          48,929,611  
                             
        Georgia  5.5%
  5,000     Atlanta, GA Arpt Passenger Fac Charge Rev Gen Sub Lien, Ser C (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     01/01/33     4,976,800  
  1,000     Atlanta, GA Arpt Rev, Ser B (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.625     01/01/30     930,120  
  684     Fulton Cnty, GA Lease Rev (Acquired 12/23/94, Cost $684,124) (g)     7.250     06/15/10     692,577  
 
 
13
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Georgia (Continued)
$ 7,000     Georgia Muni Elec Auth Pwr Rev, Ser A (MBIA Insd)     6.500 %   01/01/20   $ 8,269,940  
  3,770     Monroe Cnty, GA Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Oglethorpe Pwr Corp Scherer, Ser A     6.800     01/01/12     4,146,699  
  1,000     Oconee Cnty, GA Indl Dev Auth Rev Oiit Proj (Syncora Gtd)     5.250     07/01/25     1,011,110  
  1,200     Putnam Cnty, GA Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev GA Pwr Co, Ser 1     5.100     06/01/23     1,211,424  
                             
                          21,238,670  
                             
        Idaho  0.6%
  750     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Saint Lukes Hlth Sys Proj, Ser A     6.500     11/01/23     804,360  
  1,000     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Saint Lukes Hlth Sys Proj, Ser A     6.750     11/01/37     1,039,780  
  825     Idaho Hlth Fac Auth Rev Vly Vista Care Corp Rfdg (f)     6.125     11/15/27     583,473  
                             
                          2,427,613  
                             
        Illinois  19.2%
  1,250     Bartlett, IL Tax Increment Rev Rfdg Sr Lien Quarry Redev Proj     5.600     01/01/23     949,650  
  1,365     Bolingbrook, IL Cap Apprec, Ser B (NATL Insd)     *     01/01/30     399,153  
  7,200     Chicago, IL Brd of Ed Rfdg, Ser C (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     12/01/27     7,309,296  
  3,150     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.375     01/01/32     2,814,493  
  10,900     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien, Ser A (AGC Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/24     11,120,289  
  10,000     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien, Ser A (AGC Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/25     10,168,000  
  3,855     Chicago, IL O’Hare Intl Arpt Rev Gen Arpt Third Lien, Ser A (AGC Insd) (a)     5.250     01/01/26     3,895,747  
  615     Chicago, IL Pk Dist, Ser C (NATL Insd)     5.500     01/01/19     644,256  
  1,450     Chicago, IL, Ser A (AGL Insd)     5.250     01/01/25     1,515,612  
  4,500     Cook Cnty, IL Cap Impt, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.000     11/15/23     4,546,665  
  1,100     Illinois Fin Auth Hosp Rev Rfdg Kish Hlth Sys Oblig Group     5.500     10/01/22     1,094,786  
  2,300     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Christian Homes Inc Rfdg, Ser A     5.750     05/15/26     1,621,316  
  1,000     Illinois Fin Auth Rev IL Fin Auth Roosevelt Univ     5.500     04/01/37     839,400  
  2,200     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Northwestn Mem Hosp, Ser A     5.375     08/15/24     2,221,472  
  1,400     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Northwestn Mem Hosp, Ser A     5.750     08/15/30     1,421,602  
  2,500     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Osf Hlthcare Sys, Ser A     5.750     11/15/37     2,157,175  
  1,800     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Rush Univ Med Ctr Oblig Group, Ser A     7.250     11/01/38     1,882,908  
 
 
14
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Illinois (Continued)
$ 5,500     Illinois Fin Auth Rev Sherman Hlth Sys, Ser 2007A     5.500 %   08/01/37   $ 3,749,240  
  1,250     Metropolitan Pier & Expo Auth IL Dedicated St Tax Rev McCormick Pl Expn Proj, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.375     12/15/18     1,286,713  
  2,000     Metropolitan Pier & Expo Auth IL Dedicated St Tax Rev McCormick Pl Expn Proj, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.500     12/15/24     2,050,160  
  6,000     Metropolitan Pier & Expo Auth IL Dedicated St Tax Rev McCormick Pl Expn, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.250     06/15/42     6,021,660  
  5,000     Regional Tran Auth IL, Ser B (AMBAC Insd)     8.000     06/01/17     6,573,700  
  475     Will-Kankakee Regl Dev Auth IL Multi-Family Hsg Rev Sr Estates Supportive Living (AMT)     7.000     12/01/42     353,823  
                             
                          74,637,116  
                             
        Indiana  1.8%
  1,000     Allen Cnty, IN Juvenile Just Ctr First Mtg (AMBAC Insd)     5.500     01/01/18     1,060,660  
  1,360     Indiana Fin Auth Hosp Rev Deaconess Hosp Oblig, Ser A     6.750     03/01/39     1,363,699  
  2,000     Indiana Hlth Fac Fin Auth Hosp Rev Columbus Regl Hosp Rfdg (FSA Insd)     7.000     08/15/15     2,284,560  
  2,500     Indiana St Dev Fin Auth Rev Exempt Fac Conv Rfdg (AMT)     5.950     08/01/30     2,142,850  
  500     Vigo Cnty, IN Hosp Auth Rev Union Hosp Inc (d)     5.750     09/01/42     326,965  
                             
                          7,178,734  
                             
        Iowa  1.1%
  1,890     Des Moines, IA Pub Pkg Sys Rev, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.750     06/01/17     1,960,497  
  500     Jefferson Cnty, IA Hosp Rev Jefferson Cnty Hosp Proj, Ser C     5.950     08/01/37     318,765  
  325     Sibley, IA Hlthcare Fac Rev Osceola Cmnty Hosp Proj     6.000     12/01/37     207,655  
  1,500     Tobacco Settlement Auth IA Rev Asset Bkd, Ser C     5.500     06/01/42     842,055  
  1,350     Tobacco Settlement Auth IA Rev Asset Bkd, Ser C     5.625     06/01/46     762,548  
                             
                          4,091,520  
                             
        Kansas  1.0%
  1,300     Burlington, KS Environmental Impt Rev KC Rfdg Pwr LT, Ser B (Syncora Gtd) (b)     5.000     12/01/23     1,315,717  
  1,600     Manhattan, KS Hlthcare Fac Rev Meadowlark Hills Retirement, Ser A     5.000     05/15/24     1,196,304  
  1,600     Manhattan, KS Hlthcare Fac Rev Meadowlark Hills Retirement, Ser A     5.000     05/15/36     1,047,232  
  675     Olathe, KS Sr Living Fac Rev Catholic Care Campus Inc, Ser A     6.000     11/15/38     447,714  
                             
                          4,006,967  
                             
 
 
15
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Kentucky  3.1%
$ 1,400     Kentucky Econ Dev Fin Auth Louisville Arena Proj Rev Louisville Arena Sub, Ser A-1 (AGL Insd)     5.750 %   12/01/28   $ 1,449,994  
  200     Kentucky Hsg Corp Hsg Rev, Ser F (FNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     5.450     01/01/32     194,160  
  1,510     Kentucky St Ppty & Bldg Commn Rev Rfdg Proj No 93 (AGL Insd)     5.250     02/01/24     1,608,075  
  1,710     Kentucky St Ppty & Bldg Commn Rev Rfdg Proj No 93 (AGL Insd)     5.250     02/01/25     1,807,316  
  4,000     Louisville & Jefferson Cntys, KY Metro Govt Hlth Sys Rev Norton Hlthcare Inc     5.250     10/01/36     3,242,160  
  4,500     Louisville & Jefferson Cntys, KY Metro Govt Indl Bldg Rev Sisters of Mercy Cincinnati     5.000     10/01/35     3,586,185  
                             
                          11,887,890  
                             
        Louisiana  2.6%
  525     Colonial Pinnacle Cmnty Dev Dist Dev     6.750     05/01/23     372,524  
  991     Lakeshore Vlgs Master Cmnty Dev Dist LA Spl Assmt     5.250     07/01/17     763,952  
  1,810     Louisiana Hsg Fin Agy Rev Azalea Estates Rfdg, Ser A (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     5.375     10/20/39     1,811,792  
  1,900     Louisiana St Ctzn Ppty Ins Corp Assmt Rev, Ser C-2 (AGL Insd)     6.750     06/01/26     2,043,317  
  3,000     Louisiana St Energy & Pwr Auth Pwr Proj Rev Rfdg (FSA Insd)     5.750     01/01/12     3,304,920  
  1,850     Rapides Fin Auth LA Rev Cleco Pwr Proj (AMT) (b)     5.250     11/01/37     1,785,768  
                             
                          10,082,273  
                             
        Maryland  0.8%
  775     Gaithersburg, MD Econ Dev Rev Asbury MD Oblig Group A     5.125     01/01/36     533,634  
  2,750     Maryland St Hlth & Higher Ed Fac Auth Rev Mercy Med Ctr, Ser A     5.500     07/01/42     2,238,473  
  600     Prince Georges Cnty, MD Spl Oblig Natl Harbor Proj     5.200     07/01/34     335,418  
                             
                          3,107,525  
                             
        Massachusetts  2.4%
  3,955     Massachusetts Bay Trans Auth Gen Trans Sys Rfdg, Ser A     5.500     03/01/12     4,161,688  
  400     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Linden Ponds Inc Fac, Ser A     5.750     11/15/35     231,328  
  475     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Linden Ponds Inc Fac, Ser A     5.750     11/15/42     265,862  
  3,000     Massachusetts St Dev Fin Agy Semass Sys, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.625     01/01/16     2,966,130  
  35     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Partn Hlthcare Sys, Ser C     5.750     07/01/32     35,330  
 
 
16
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Massachusetts (Continued)
$ 965     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Partn Hlthcare Sys, Ser C (Prerefunded @ 7/01/11)     5.750 %   07/01/32   $ 1,070,233  
  930     Massachusetts St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Saint Mem Med Ctr, Ser A     6.000     10/01/23     636,334  
                             
                          9,366,905  
                             
        Michigan  0.9%
  1,000     Detroit, MI Wtr Supply Sys Rfdg Second Lien, Ser C (FSA Insd)     5.000     07/01/26     937,430  
  1,800     Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Metro Hosp Proj, Ser A     6.250     07/01/40     1,315,944  
  800     Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Spectrum Hlth, Ser A (b)     5.250     01/15/47     819,008  
  400     Kent Hosp Fin Auth MI Rev Spectrum Hlth, Ser A (b)     5.500     01/15/47     413,200  
                             
                          3,485,582  
                             
        Minnesota  1.1%
  10     Chaska, MN Elec Rev, Ser A     6.100     10/01/30     10,103  
  425     Chisago, MN Hlthcare Fac Rev CDL Homes LLC Proj     6.000     08/01/42     289,085  
  1,000     Meeker Cnty, MN Gross Rev Hosp Fac Mem Hosp Proj     5.750     11/01/27     797,250  
  1,700     Minneapolis, MN Hlthcare Sys Rev Fairview Hlth Svc, Ser A     6.375     11/15/23     1,810,534  
  1,150     Minneapolis, MN Hlthcare Sys Rev Fairview Hlth Svc, Ser A     6.625     11/15/28     1,210,133  
  175     North Oaks, MN Sr Hsg Rev Presbyterian Homes North Oaks     6.000     10/01/27     140,623  
                             
                          4,257,728  
                             
        Missouri  4.3%
  350     Cape Girardeau Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Southeast MO Hosp     5.500     06/01/22     323,508  
  1,800     Cape Girardeau Cnty, MO Indl                    
        Dev Auth Hlthcare Fac Rev Southeast MO Hosp (Prerefunded @ 6/01/12)     5.500     06/01/22     2,010,240  
  810     Maryland Heights, MO Tax Increment Rev South Heights Redev Proj Rfdg, Ser A     5.500     09/01/18     691,578  
  1,375     Missouri St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Sr Living Fac Lutheran, Ser A     5.375     02/01/35     989,271  
  615     Saint Louis Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Saint Andrews Res for Srs, Ser A     6.375     12/01/30     454,319  
  1,450     Saint Louis Cnty, MO Indl Dev Auth Sr Living Fac Rev Saint Andrews Res for Srs, Ser A     6.375     12/01/41     1,008,214  
  575     Saint Louis, MO Indl Dev Auth Tax
Increment & Cmnty Impt Dist Loughborough
Com Redev Rfdg
    5.750     11/01/27     429,054  
  2,060     Sikeston, MO Elec Rev Rfdg (NATL Insd)     6.200     06/01/10     2,082,248  
 
 
17
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Missouri (Continued)
$ 4,840     Springfield, MO Pub Bldg Corp Leasehold Rev Springfield Branson Arpt, Ser B (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     4.550 %   07/01/29   $ 4,027,945  
  5,770     Springfield, MO Pub Bldg Corp Leasehold Rev Springfield Branson Arpt, Ser B
(AMBAC Insd) (AMT)
    4.600     07/01/36     4,560,146  
                             
                          16,576,523  
                             
        Nevada  2.6%
  6,000     Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev Southwest Gas Corp Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.250     07/01/34     4,414,680  
  40     Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev Southwest Gas Corp Proj, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT)     4.750     09/01/36     31,700  
  2,450     Nevada Hsg Div Single Family Mtg Rev, Ser A (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT)     5.875     04/01/38     2,494,933  
  4,250     Reno, NV Hosp Rev Renown Regl Med Ctr Proj, Ser A     5.250     06/01/37     3,336,760  
                             
                          10,278,073  
                             
        New Hampshire  0.9%
  1,155     New Hampshire Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Derryfield Sch (Prerefunded @ 7/01/10)     7.000     07/01/30     1,255,243  
  480     New Hampshire St Business Fin Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Rfdg Utd Illum, Ser A (AMT) (b)     6.875     12/01/29     506,131  
  675     New Hampshire St Business Fin Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev Utd Illum Co Proj (AMT) (b)     7.125     07/01/27     679,151  
  900     New Hampshire St Business Fin Auth Wtr Fac Rev Pennichuck Wtrwks Inc (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     6.300     05/01/22     900,477  
                             
                          3,341,002  
                             
        New Jersey  16.3%
  375     Burlington Cnty, NJ Brdg Commn Econ Dev Rev Evergreens Proj     5.625     01/01/38     226,410  
  900     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Cig Tax     5.750     06/15/29     667,395  
  2,325     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Rev Cig Tax     5.750     06/15/34     1,661,747  
  30,000     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth St Contract Econ Recovery (NATL Insd) (f)     5.900     03/15/21     36,057,600  
  8,000     New Jersey Econ Dev Auth Wtr Fac Rev NJ Amer Wtr Co Inc Proj, Ser A (FGIC Insd) (AMT)     6.875     11/01/34     7,995,200  
  2,400     New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Holy Name Hosp     5.000     07/01/36     1,666,224  
  1,350     New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Saint Peters Univ Hosp Oblig     5.750     07/01/37     1,060,128  
  25,980     Tobacco Settlement Fin Corp NJ, Ser 1-A     5.000     06/01/41     13,755,891  
                             
                          63,090,595  
                             
 
 
18
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        New Mexico  0.6%
$ 1,250     New Mexico St Hosp Equip Ln Council Hosp Rev Presbyterian Hlthcare Svc, Ser A     6.375 %   08/01/32   $ 1,323,713  
  1,125     University NM Univ Rev Sub Lien Rfdg, Ser A     5.250     06/01/21     1,192,196  
                             
                          2,515,909  
                             
        New York  10.4%
  2,015     New York City Indl Dev Agy Rev Liberty 7 World Trade Ctr Proj, Ser B     6.750     03/01/15     1,749,141  
  1,255     New York City Indl Dev Civic YMCA Gtr NY Proj     5.800     08/01/16     1,257,083  
  5,500     New York City, Ser I-1 (a)     5.000     02/01/26     5,550,050  
  1,800     New York City Trans Fin Auth Bldg Aid Rev Fiscal 2009, Ser S-3     5.250     01/15/39     1,770,588  
  2,525     New York St Dorm Auth Lease Rev Muni Hlth Fac Impt Pgm, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.500     05/15/25     2,526,641  
  3,100     New York St Dorm Auth Rev City Univ Sys Cons, Ser A     5.625     07/01/16     3,407,861  
  2,600     New York St Dorm Auth Rev Cons City Univ Sys Second Gen, Ser A     5.750     07/01/13     2,791,360  
  2,040     New York St Dorm Auth Rev Secd Hosp Gen Hosp Rfdg     5.750     02/15/18     2,152,996  
  300     New York St Dorm Auth Rev, Ser B     7.500     05/15/11     329,835  
  650     New York St Dorm Auth Rev, Ser B
(Prerefunded @ 5/15/10)
    7.500     05/15/11     675,343  
  1,500     New York St Dorm Auth Rev Upstate Cmnty Colleges, Ser B     5.250     07/01/20     1,595,700  
  1,000     New York St Dorm Auth Rev Upstate Cmnty Colleges, Ser B     5.250     07/01/21     1,058,040  
  15,000     Port Auth NY & NJ Cons 144th (a)     5.000     10/01/35     15,091,800  
  575     Seneca Nation Indians Cap Impt Auth NY Spl Oblig, Ser A (d)     5.000     12/01/23     369,639  
                             
                          40,326,077  
                             
        North Carolina  6.7%
  1,500     North Carolina Eastn Muni Pwr Agy Pwr Sys Rev, Ser D     6.700     01/01/19     1,529,865  
  1,000     North Carolina Med Care Commn Retirement Fac Rev First Mtg Southminster Proj, Ser A     5.750     10/01/37     740,610  
  22,000     North Carolina Muni Pwr Agy No 1 Catawba Elec Rev Rfdg (NATL Insd)     6.000     01/01/12     23,886,500  
                             
                          26,156,975  
                             
        North Dakota  0.2%
  465     North Dakota St Hsg Fin Agy Rev Hsg Fin Pgm Home Mtg Fin, Ser B (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.500     07/01/29     458,057  
  205     North Dakota St Hsg Fin Agy, Ser C (AMT)     5.550     07/01/29     202,534  
                             
                          660,591  
                             
 
 
19
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Ohio  7.3%
$ 3,940     Buckeye, OH Tob Settlement Fin Auth Asset Bkd Sr Turbo, Ser A-2     5.750 %   06/01/34   $ 2,494,453  
  400     Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hlthcare & Indpt Living Fac Rev Eliza Jennings Sr Care, Ser A     5.750     05/15/27     272,708  
  1,500     Cuyahoga Cnty, OH Hosp Fac Rev Canton Inc Proj     7.500     01/01/30     1,487,340  
  2,450     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Catholic Hlthcare Impt & Rfdg, Ser A     5.250     10/01/33     2,281,097  
  2,000     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Catholic Hlthcare, Ser S     5.375     10/01/30     1,912,940  
  3,000     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Catholic Rfdg, Ser C-1 (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     04/01/24     3,087,780  
  2,750     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Fac Catholic, Ser A (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     02/01/24     2,830,465  
  2,775     Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Fac Catholic, Ser B (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     02/01/24     2,856,196  
  1,625     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Catholic Hlth, Ser C-1 (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     10/01/41     1,493,505  
  1,475     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Miami Vly Hosp, Ser A     6.000     11/15/28     1,499,220  
  925     Montgomery Cnty, OH Rev Miami Vly Hosp, Ser A     6.250     11/15/39     940,087  
  1,900     Ohio St Higher Ed Fac Commn Rev Univ Hosp Hlth Sys, Ser 2009A     6.750     01/15/39     1,926,619  
  1,035     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser D (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT) (a)     5.300     09/01/28     1,012,490  
  1,819     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser D (GNMA Collateralized) (AMT) (a)     5.400     03/01/33     1,773,280  
  2,340     Ohio St Hsg Fin Agy Residential Mtg Rev Mtg Bkd Sec Pgm, Ser F (GNMA Collateralized) (a)     5.500     09/01/39     2,356,099  
                             
                          28,224,279  
                             
        Oklahoma  1.8%
  1,375     Chickasaw Nation, OK Hlth Sys (d)     6.250     12/01/32     1,125,740  
  3,970     McAlester, OK Pub Wk Auth Util Cap Apprec (FSA Insd)     *     02/01/34     997,224  
  1,120     Oklahoma Dev Fin Auth Lease Rev OK Council Law Enforcement (NATL Insd)     5.500     06/01/18     1,185,285  
  1,185     Oklahoma Dev Fin Auth Lease Rev OK Council Law Enforcement (NATL Insd)     5.500     06/01/19     1,254,074  
  2,250     Tulsa Cnty, OK Pub Fac Auth Cap Impt Rev (AMBAC Insd) (Prerefunded @ 11/01/09)     6.250     11/01/22     2,360,767  
                             
                          6,923,090  
                             
        Pennsylvania  2.5%
  875     Montgomery Cnty, PA Indl Dev Auth Rev Mtg Whitemarsh Cont Care     6.250     02/01/35     539,070  
 
 
20
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Pennsylvania (Continued)
$ 950     Pennsylvania Econ Dev Fin Auth Exempt Fac Rev Reliant Energy, Ser B (AMT)     6.750 %   12/01/36   $ 881,800  
  3,000     Susquehanna Area Regl Arpt Auth PA Arpt Sys Rev, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.375     01/01/21     2,919,960  
  5,415     Susquehanna Area Regl Arpt Auth PA, Ser A (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.375     01/01/22     5,224,175  
                             
                          9,565,005  
                             
        South Carolina  5.9%
  2,500     Charleston Ed Excellence Fin Corp SC Rev Charleston Cnty Sch Dist (a)     5.250     12/01/25     2,551,750  
  7,500     Charleston Ed Excellence Fin Corp SC Rev Charleston Cnty Sch Dist (a)     5.250     12/01/26     7,616,400  
  1,840     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Hosp Fac Rev Palmetto Hlth Alliance Rfdg, Ser A     6.250     08/01/31     1,619,623  
  5,000     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Indl Rev Elec & Gas Co Proj, Ser A (AMBAC Insd)     5.200     11/01/27     5,030,150  
  3,750     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Indl Rev Elec & Gas Co Proj, Ser B (AMBAC Insd) (AMT)     5.450     11/01/32     3,378,750  
  725     South Carolina Jobs Econ Dev Auth Rev Woodlands at Furman Proj, Ser A     6.000     11/15/27     506,362  
  1,650     South Carolina Jobs Econ Rfdg First Mtg Lutheran Homes     5.375     05/01/21     1,208,823  
  1,150     Tobacco Settlement Rev Mgmt Auth SC Tob Settlement Rev Rfdg     5.000     06/01/18     1,137,223  
                             
                          23,049,081  
                             
        South Dakota  0.4%
  1,375     Deadwood, SD Ctf Partn (ACA Insd)     6.375     11/01/20     1,407,890  
                             
         
        Tennessee  1.8%
  1,750     Chattanooga, TN Hlth Ed & Hsg Fac Brd Rev CDFI Phase I LLC Proj Rfdg, Ser A     5.125     10/01/35     1,149,837  
  2,000     Elizabethton, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Rev Impt Hosp First Mtg Rfdg, Ser B (Prerefunded @ 7/01/12)     8.000     07/01/33     2,330,440  
  1,000     Johnson City, TN Hlth & Ed Fac Brd Hosp Rev First Mtg Mtn St Hlth Rfdg, Ser A (MBIA Insd) (Prerefunded @ 7/01/12)     7.500     07/01/25     1,138,810  
  2,400     Shelby Cnty, TN Hlth Ed & Hsg Fac Brd Rev Methodist, Ser B (FSA Insd) (a)     5.250     09/01/27     2,420,088  
                             
                          7,039,175  
                             
        Texas  26.0%
  1,450     Alliance Arpt Auth Inc TX Spl Fac Rev FedEx Corp Proj Rfdg (AMT)     4.850     04/01/21     1,178,821  
  680     Dallas Cnty, TX Flood Ctl Dist Rfdg     6.750     04/01/16     689,493  
  1,150     Dallas, TX Civic Ctr Rfdg & Impt (AGL Insd)     5.000     08/15/18     1,266,771  
  1,350     Dallas, TX Civic Ctr Rfdg & Impt (AGL Insd)     5.000     08/15/19     1,474,092  
 
 
21
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Texas (Continued)
$ 5,500     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt Impt & Rfdg, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT)     5.500 %   11/01/31   $ 5,188,700  
  8,000     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser A (FSA Insd) (AMT)     5.500     11/01/21     8,053,200  
  4,000     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser A (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.750     11/01/30     3,965,880  
  650     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser C (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.750     11/01/18     651,631  
  1,225     Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Intl Arpt Rev Jt, Ser C (NATL Insd) (AMT)     6.000     11/01/23     1,227,450  
  4,850     El Paso Cnty, TX Hosp Dist, Ser A (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     08/15/37     4,749,071  
  1,000     Gulf Coast Waste Disp Auth TX Waste Mgmt, Ser D (AMT)     4.550     04/01/12     954,380  
  2,000     Harris Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev Mem Hermann Hlthcare, Ser A (Prerefunded @ 6/01/11)     6.375     06/01/29     2,231,680  
  750     Harris Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev Rfdg Mem Hermann Hlthcare Sys, Ser B     7.250     12/01/35     798,413  
  1,930     Harris Cnty, TX Sr Lien Toll Rd, Ser A (h)     5.000     08/15/27     1,987,803  
  2,000     Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Sub Lien (FSA Insd)     5.500     07/01/20     2,128,180  
  10,000     Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Sub Lien, Ser A (FSA Insd) (AMT)     5.125     07/01/32     8,923,000  
  3,000     Houston, TX Arpt Sys Rev Sub Lien, Ser A (FSA Insd) (AMT)     5.625     07/01/30     2,893,710  
  7,825     Houston, TX Util Sys Rev Comb First Lien Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd) (a)     5.000     11/15/36     7,857,239  
  3,030     Judson, TX Indpt Sch Dist Sch Bldg (AGL Insd) (a)     5.000     02/01/37     3,039,453  
  1,250     Lufkin, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hlth Sys Rev Mem Hlth Sys East TX     5.500     02/15/37     846,000  
  1,000     Matagorda Cnty, TX Nav Dist No 1 Rev Coll Centerpoint Energy Proj Rfdg (b)     5.600     03/01/27     911,090  
  1,125     McLennan Cnty, TX Pub Fac Corp Proj Rev     6.625     06/01/35     1,203,975  
  3,000     Metropolitan Hlth Fac Dev Corp TX Wilson N Jones Mem Hosp Proj     7.250     01/01/31     2,376,030  
  10,000     North Centre, TX Hlth Fac Dev Hosp Childrens Med Ctr Dallas (AMBAC Insd)     5.250     08/15/32     9,373,900  
  1,000     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     5.625     01/01/28     1,010,500  
  1,000     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     6.000     01/01/26     1,046,650  
  1,000     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser B     6.000     01/01/27     1,041,720  
  1,350     North TX Twy Auth Rev Rfdg Sys First Tier, Ser L-2 (b)     6.000     01/01/38     1,400,126  
 
 
22
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Texas (Continued)
$ 2,650     North TX Twy Auth Rev Toll Second Tier Rfdg, Ser F     5.750 %   01/01/33   $ 2,531,174  
  1,000     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckingham Sr
Living Cmnty Inc
    5.625     11/15/27     709,970  
  2,600     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckingham Sr
Living Cmnty Inc
    5.750     11/15/37     1,711,710  
  4,000     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac Buckner Retirement
Svc Inc Proj
    5.250     11/15/37     3,123,960  
  400     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Retirement Fac CC Young Mem Home Proj     5.750     02/15/25     283,844  
  3,000     Tarrant Cnty, TX Cultural Ed Fac Fin Corp Rev Christus Hlth Rfdg, Ser A (AGL Insd)     6.250     07/01/28     3,229,650  
  3,000     Texas A&M Univ Rev Fin Sys, Ser A     5.000     05/15/29     3,121,530  
  5,400     Texas St Trans Commn Mobility Fd (a)     5.000     04/01/28     5,632,686  
  2,750     Tyler, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev & Impt East TX Med Ctr Rfdg, Ser A     5.375     11/01/37     1,907,455  
                             
                          100,720,937  
                             
        Utah  0.6%
  2,380     Mountain Regl Wtr Spl Svc Dist Rfdg (NATL Insd)     5.000     12/15/33     1,850,093  
  730     Utah St Charter Sch Fin Auth Charter Sch Rev Summit Academy, Ser A     5.800     06/15/38     506,671  
                             
                          2,356,764  
                             
        Virginia  0.4%
  750     Peninsula Town Ctr Cmnty Dev Auth VA Spl Oblig     6.350     09/01/28     501,525  
  1,500     White Oak Vlg Shops VA Cmnty Dev Auth Spl Assmt Rev     5.300     03/01/17     1,247,745  
                             
                          1,749,270  
                             
        Washington  9.5%
  9,850     Bellevue, WA Convention Ctr Auth Spl Oblig Rev Comp Int Rfdg (NATL Insd)     *     02/01/25     4,281,204  
  7,500     Chelan Cnty, WA Pub Util Dist No 001 Cons Rev Chelan Hydro, Ser A (BHAC Insd) (AMT) (b)     5.600     01/01/36     7,131,300  
  5,000     Energy Northwest WA Elec Rev Columbia Generating Rfdg, Ser A (FSA Insd)     5.500     07/01/16     5,448,800  
  5,000     Energy Northwest WA Elec Rev Proj No 3 Rfdg, Ser B (FSA Insd)     6.000     07/01/16     5,549,250  
  1,250     Kalispel Tribe Indians Priority Dist WA Rev     6.625     01/01/28     929,862  
  2,000     Port Seattle, WA Rev, Ser B (NATL Insd) (AMT)     5.625     02/01/24     2,002,320  
  2,120     Seattle, WA Muni Lt & Pwr Rev     5.625     12/01/17     2,247,984  
  3,000     Spokane, WA Pub Fac Dist Hotel Motel & Sales Use Tax (NATL Insd)     5.250     09/01/33     3,003,480  
 
 
23
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Washington (Continued)
$ 1,440     Washington St Hsg Fin Commn Nonprofit Rev Custodial Rcpt Wesley Homes, Ser 2007A-2027 (Acquired 5/7/08, Cost $1,440,000) (f) (g)     6.000 %   01/01/27   $ 1,088,453  
  1,000     Washington St Hsg Fin Commn Nonprofit Rev Skyline at First Hill Proj, Ser A     5.625     01/01/27     660,280  
  5,125     Washington St Pub Pwr Supply Sys Nuclear Proj No 3 Rev Rfdg, Ser C (MBIA Insd)     *     07/01/14     4,459,263  
                             
                          36,802,196  
                             
        West Virginia  0.7%
  500     Ohio Cnty, WV Cnty Commn Tax Increment Rev Fort Henry Centre Fin Dist, Ser A     5.850     06/01/34     343,630  
  855     Pleasants Cnty, WV Pollutn Ctl Cnty Comm Allegheny Rfdg, Ser F     5.250     10/15/37     703,879  
  1,000     West Virginia St Hosp Fin Auth Hosp Rev Thomas Hlth Sys     6.000     10/01/20     883,050  
  1,025     West Virginia St Hosp Fin Auth Hosp Rev Thomas Hlth Sys     6.250     10/01/23     877,349  
                             
                          2,807,908  
                             
        Wisconsin  2.9%
  1,500     Southeast WI Professional Baseball Pk Dist Sales Tax Rev Rfdg, Ser A (NATL Insd)     5.500     12/15/20     1,803,375  
  425     Superior, WI Coll Util Rev Rfdg Superior Wtr Lt & Pwr Proj, Ser A (AMT)     5.375     11/01/21     381,144  
  385     Superior, WI Coll Util Rev Superior Wtr Lt & Pwr Proj, Ser B (AMT)     5.750     11/01/37     322,630  
  2,400     Wisconsin Hsg & Econ Dev Auth Home Ownership Rev, Ser A (AMT) (a)     5.300     09/01/23     2,430,480  
  3,000     Wisconsin Hsg & Econ Dev Auth Home Ownership Rev, Ser A (AMT) (a)     5.500     09/01/28     2,982,120  
  950     Wisconsin St Gen Rev Appropriation Rev, Ser A     5.375     05/01/25     979,279  
  1,100     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Ministry Hlth (FSA Insd)     5.000     08/01/34     1,011,263  
  1,270     Wisconsin St Hlth & Ed Fac Auth Rev Prohealth Care Inc Oblig Group     6.625     02/15/39     1,277,557  
                             
                          11,187,848  
                             
 
 
24
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
                             
Par
               
Amount
               
(000)   Description   Coupon   Maturity   Value
 
 
        Wyoming  0.3%
$ 1,000     University WY Univ Rev Fac Impt (FSA Insd)     5.500 %   06/01/18   $ 1,042,940  
                             
         
Total Long-Term Investments  188.4%
(Cost $787,173,352)
    731,192,014  
         
Total Short-Term Investments  2.5%
(Cost $9,750,000)
    9,750,000  
         
         
Total Investments  190.9%
(Cost $796,923,352)
    740,942,014  
         
Liability for Floating Rate Note Obligations Related to Securities Held  (23.8%)
(Cost ($92,495,000))
       
(92,495) Notes with interest rates ranging from 0.51% to 1.74% at April 30, 2009 and contractual maturities of collateral ranging from 2023 to 2041 (See Note 1) (i)
    (92,495,000 )
         
         
Total Net Investments  167.1%
(Cost $704,428,352)
    648,447,014  
         
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities  3.0%
    11,713,865  
         
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions)  (70.1%)
    (272,039,831 )
         
         
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares  100.0%
  $ 388,121,048  
         
 
 
Percentages are calculated as a percentage of net assets applicable to common shares.
 
* Zero coupon bond
 
(a) Underlying security related to Inverse Floaters entered into by the Trust. See Note 1.
 
(b) Variable Rate Coupon
 
(c) Escrowed to Maturity
 
(d) 144A-Private Placement security which is exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This security may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers.
 
(e) Security includes a feature allowing the Trust an option on any interest rate payment date to offer the security for sale at par. The sale is contingent upon market conditions.
 
(f) Security has been deemed illiquid.
 
 
25
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Portfolio of Investments  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  
continued
 
 
(g) Security is restricted and may be resold only in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. Restricted securities comprise 0.7% of net assets.
 
(h) Security purchased on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
 
(i) Floating rate notes. The interest rates shown reflect the rates in effect at April 30, 2009.
 
ACA—American Capital Access
AGC—AGC Insured Custody Certificates
AGL—Assured Guaranty Ltd.
AMBAC—AMBAC Indemnity Corp.
AMT—Alternative Minimum Tax
BHAC—Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp.
FGIC—Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
FHA—Federal Housing Administration
FNMA—Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA—Financial Security Assurance Inc.
GNMA—Government National Mortgage Association
MBIA—Municipal Bond Investors Assurance Corp.
NATL—National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.
 
 
26
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Financial Statements
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
 
             
Assets:
           
Total Investments (Cost $796,923,352)
  $ 740,942,014      
Cash
    80,476      
Receivables:
           
Interest
    13,099,364      
Investments Sold
    1,548,109      
Other
    1,551      
             
Total Assets
    755,671,514      
             
Liabilities:
           
Payables:
           
Floating Rate Note Obligations
    92,495,000      
Investments Purchased
    2,008,416      
Investment Advisory Fee
    266,066      
Other Affiliates
    6,669      
Trust Shares Repurchased
    4,000      
Trustees’ Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
    571,188      
Accrued Expenses
    159,296      
             
Total Liabilities
    95,510,635      
Preferred Shares (including accrued distributions)
    272,039,831      
             
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
  $ 388,121,048      
             
Net Asset Value Per Common Share ($388,121,048 divided by 33,646,140 shares outstanding)
  $ 11.54      
             
Net Assets Consist of:
           
Common Shares ($0.01 par value with an unlimited number of shares authorized, 33,646,140 shares issued and outstanding)
  $ 336,461      
Paid in Surplus
    500,886,043      
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income
    10,439,372      
Net Unrealized Depreciation
    (55,981,338 )    
Accumulated Net Realized Loss
    (67,559,490 )    
             
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
  $ 388,121,048      
             
Preferred Shares ($0.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares, 10,880 issued with liquidation preference of $25,000 per share)
  $ 272,000,000      
             
Net Assets Including Preferred Shares
  $ 660,121,048      
             
 
 
27
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
 
             
Investment Income:
           
Interest
  $ 22,630,823      
             
Expenses:
           
Investment Advisory Fee
    1,909,212      
Interest and Residual Trust Expenses
    753,173      
Preferred Share Maintenance
    336,919      
Professional Fees
    83,401      
Accounting and Administrative Expenses
    81,355      
Transfer Agent Fees
    59,433      
Reports to Shareholders
    30,949      
Custody
    21,644      
Registration Fees
    12,636      
Trustees’ Fees and Related Expenses
    9,533      
Depreciation in Trustees’ Deferred Compensation Accounts
    (133,157 )    
Other
    12,168      
             
Total Expenses
    3,177,266      
Investment Advisory Fee Reduction
    347,130      
             
Net Expenses
    2,830,136      
             
Net Investment Income
  $ 19,800,687      
             
Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss:
           
Net Realized Loss
  $ (22,887,959 )    
             
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
           
Beginning of the Period
    (108,739,562 )    
End of the Period
    (55,981,338 )    
             
Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period
    52,758,224      
             
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain
  $ 29,870,265      
             
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders
  $ (1,192,071 )    
             
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations
  $ 48,478,881      
             
 
 
28
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statements of Changes in Net Assets  (Unaudited)
 
                 
    For The
  For The
    Six Months Ended
  Year Ended
    April 30, 2009   October 31, 2008
     
 
From Investment Activities:
               
Operations:
               
Net Investment Income
  $ 19,800,687     $ 42,479,924  
Net Realized Loss
    (22,887,959 )     (42,014,197 )
Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation During the Period
    52,758,224       (129,130,750 )
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders:
               
Net Investment Income
    (1,192,071 )     (10,226,453 )
                 
Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Operations
    48,478,881       (138,891,476 )
Distributions to Common Shareholders:
               
Net Investment Income
    (14,324,210 )     (27,832,202 )
                 
                 
Net Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Investment Activities
    34,154,671       (166,723,678 )
                 
                 
From Capital Transactions:
               
Value of Common Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment
    292,755       191,349  
Repurchase of Shares
    -0-       (4,656,371 )
                 
Net Change in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares from Capital Transactions
    292,755       (4,465,022 )
                 
Total Increase/Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares
    34,447,426       (171,188,700 )
                 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares:
               
Beginning of the Period
    353,673,622       524,862,322  
                 
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of $10,439,372 and $6,154,966, respectively)
  $ 388,121,048     $ 353,673,622  
                 
 
 
29
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Financial Statements  
continued
 
Statement of Cash Flows
For the Six Months Ended April 30, 2009
 
             
Change in Net Assets from Operations (including Preferred Share Distributions)
  $ 48,478,881      
             
Adjustments to Reconcile the Change in Net Assets from Operations to
           
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
           
Purchases of Investments
    (62,758,735 )    
Proceeds from Sales of Investments
    107,912,541      
Net Purchases of Short-Term Investments
    (6,250,000 )    
Amortization of Premium
    510,175      
Accretion of Discount
    (459,525 )    
Net Realized Loss on Investments
    22,887,959      
Net Change in Unrealized Depreciation on Investments
    (52,758,224 )    
Decrease in Interest Receivable
    393,433      
Decrease in Other Assets
    7,788      
Increase in Receivable for Investments Sold
    (829,466 )    
Decrease in Investment Advisory Fee
    (2,256 )    
Decrease in Accrued Expenses
    (66,191 )    
Decrease in Other Affiliates Payables
    (25,611 )    
Decrease in Trustees’ Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans
    (130,841 )    
Decrease in Investments Purchased Payable
    (1,689,323 )    
             
Total Adjustments
    6,741,724      
             
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    55,220,605      
             
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
           
Dividends Paid (Net of reinvested dividends $292,755)
    (14,436,270 )    
Proceeds from and Repayments of Floating Rate Note Obligations
    (41,765,000 )    
             
Net Cash Used for Financing Activities
    (56,201,270 )    
             
Net Decrease in Cash
    (980,665 )    
Cash at the Beginning of the Period
    1,061,141      
             
Cash at the End of the Period
  $ 80,476      
             
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
           
Cash Paid During the Period for Interest
  $ 753,173      
             
 
 
30
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Financial Highlights  (Unaudited)
 
The following schedule presents financial highlights for one common share of the Trust outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
 
                                                 
    Six Months
                   
    Ended
                   
    April 30,
  Year Ended October 31,
    2009   2008   2007   2006   2005   2004
     
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of the Period
  $ 10.52     $ 15.46     $ 16.61     $ 16.52     $ 16.89     $ 17.02  
                                                 
Net Investment Income
    0.59 (a)     1.26 (a)     1.17 (a)     1.11 (a)     1.12       1.13  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss
    0.90       (5.07 )     (1.17 )     0.49       (0.33 )     0.23  
Common Share Equivalent of Distributions Paid to Preferred Shareholders:
                                               
Net Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.30 )     (0.37 )     (0.31 )     (0.22 )     (0.10 )
Net Realized Gain
    -0-       -0-       -0-       (0.04 )     -0-       (0.02 )
                                                 
Total from Investment Operations
    1.45       (4.11 )     (0.37 )     1.25       0.57       1.24  
Distributions Paid to Common Shareholders:
                                               
Net Investment Income
    (0.43 )     (0.83 )     (0.78 )     (0.81 )     (0.94 )     (1.08 )
Net Realized Gain
    -0-       -0-       -0-       (0.35 )     -0-       (0.29 )
                                                 
Net Asset Value, End of the Period
  $ 11.54     $ 10.52     $ 15.46     $ 16.61     $ 16.52     $ 16.89  
                                                 
Common Share Market Price at End of the Period
  $ 11.83     $ 10.10     $ 14.30     $ 14.70     $ 14.35     $ 15.20  
Total Return* (b)
    21.87% **     –24.86%       2.40%       10.76%       0.55%       –0.60%  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares at End of the Period (In millions)
  $ 388.1     $ 353.7     $ 524.9     $ 567.5     $ 253.7     $ 259.4  
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares* (c)
    1.59%       2.11%       2.03%       1.36%       1.18%       1.30%  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares* (c)
    11.09%       8.92%       7.30%       6.86%       6.67%       6.74%  
Portfolio Turnover
    9% **     57%       23%       20%       32%       28%  
*  If certain expenses had not been voluntarily assumed by Van Kampen, total return would have been lower and the ratios would have been as follows:
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    1.78%       2.28%       2.18%       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    10.90%       8.75%       7.15%       N/A       N/A       N/A  
Supplemental Ratios:                                                
Ratio of Expenses (Excluding Interest and Residual Trust Expenses) to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (c)
    1.16%       1.03%       1.03%       1.25%       1.18%       1.30%  
Ratio of Expenses (Excluding Interest and Residual Trust Expenses) to Average Net Assets Including Preferred Shares (c)
    0.66%       0.62%       0.63%       0.78%       0.75%       0.82%  
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares (d)
    10.42%       6.78%       4.99%       4.92%       5.37%       6.15%  
Senior Securities:                                                
Total Preferred Shares Outstanding
    10,880       10,880       13,600       13,600       6,000       6,000  
Asset Coverage Per Preferred Share (e)
  $ 60,677     $ 57,538     $ 63,629     $ 66,761     $ 67,307     $ 68,253  
Involuntary Liquidating Preference Per Preferred Share
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
Average Market Value Per Preferred Share
  $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000     $ 25,000  
 
** Non-Annualized
(a) Based on average shares outstanding.
(b) Total return assumes an investment at the common share market price at the beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the period in accordance with the Trust’s dividend reinvestment plan, and sale of all shares at the closing common share market price at the end of the period indicated.
(c) Ratios do not reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(d) Ratios reflect the effect of dividend payments to preferred shareholders.
(e) Calculated by subtracting the Trust’s total liabilities (not including the preferred shares) from the Trust’s total assets and dividing this by the number of preferred shares outstanding.
 
N/A=Not Applicable
 
 
31
See Notes to Financial Statements


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)
 
1. Significant Accounting Policies
Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust (the “Trust”) is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust’s investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax, consistent with preservation of capital. The Trust commenced investment operations on April 24, 1992.
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 last reported bid and asked prices or, in the absence of market quotations, at fair value based upon yield data relating to municipal bonds with similar characteristics and general market conditions. Securities which are not valued by independent pricing services or dealers are valued at fair value using procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances. Futures contracts are valued at the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.
The Trust adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FAS 157), effective November 1, 2008. In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Trust would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. FAS 157 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Trust’s investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
 
Level 1— quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
Level 2— other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3— significant unobservable inputs (including the Trust’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
 
 
32


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2009 in valuing the Trust’s investments carried at value:
 
         
    Investments in
Valuation Inputs   Securities
 
Level 1—Quoted Prices
  $ -0-  
Level 2—Other Significant Observable Inputs
    740,942,014  
Level 3—Significant Unobservable Inputs
    -0-  
         
Total
  $ 740,942,014  
         
 
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 April 30, 2009, the Trust had $2,008,416 of 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 Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes 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. Management has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Trust recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in “Interest Expense” and penalties in “Other” expenses on the Statement of Operations. The Trust files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Generally, each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2008, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.
The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the year of the loss and offset these losses against any future realized capital gains. At October 31, 2008, the Trust had an
 
 
33


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of $46,628,672 which will expire according to the following schedule:
 
                 
Amount       Expiration
 
$ 577,984           October 31, 2013  
  1,179,918           October 31, 2014  
  3,206,957           October 31, 2015  
  41,663,813           October 31, 2016  
 
Part of the capital loss carryforward above was acquired due to a merger with another regulated investment company and is subject to annual limitations.
At April 30, 2009, the cost and related gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation are as follows:
 
         
Cost of investments for tax purposes
  $ 689,166,349  
         
Gross tax unrealized appreciation
  $ 25,431,033  
Gross tax unrealized depreciation
    (66,155,777 )
         
Net tax unrealized depreciation on investments
  $ (40,724,744 )
         
 
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, which are included as ordinary income for tax purposes.
The tax character of distributions paid during the year ended October 31, 2008 was as follows:
 
         
Distributions paid from:
       
Ordinary income
  $ 3,620  
Tax-exempt income
    38,188,041  
         
    $ 38,191,661  
         
 
As of October 31, 2008, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
         
Undistributed ordinary income
  $ 369,215  
Undistributed tax-exempt income
    6,102,455  
 
Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial reporting and tax purposes primarily as a result of gains or losses recognized on securities for tax purposes but not for book purposes and the deferral of losses relating to wash sale transactions.
 
F. Floating Rate Note Obligations Related to Securities Held The Trust enters into transactions in which it transfers to dealer trusts fixed rate bonds in exchange for cash and residual interest in the dealer trusts’ assets and cash flows, which are in the form of inverse floating rate investments. The dealer trusts fund the purchases of the fixed rate bonds by
 
 
34


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
issuing floating rate notes to third parties and allowing the Trust to retain residual interests in the bonds. The Trust enters into shortfall agreements with the dealer trusts, which commit the Trust to pay the dealer trusts, in certain circumstances, the difference between the liquidation value of the fixed rate bonds held by the dealer trusts and the liquidation value of the floating rate notes held by third parties, as well as any shortfalls in interest cash flows. The residual interests held by the Trust (inverse floating rate investments) include the right of the Trust (1) to cause the holders of the floating rate notes to tender their notes at par at the next interest rate reset date, and (2) to transfer the municipal bond from the dealer trusts to the Trust, thereby collapsing the dealer trusts. The Trust accounts for the transfer of bonds to the dealer trusts as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the Trust’s investments assets, and the related floating rate notes reflected as Trust liabilities under the caption “Floating Rate Note Obligations” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust records the interest income from the fixed rate bonds under the caption “Interest” and records the expenses related to floating rate note obligations and any administrative expenses of the dealer trusts under the caption “Interest and Residual Trust Expenses” on the Trust’s Statement of Operations. The notes issued by the dealer trust have interest rates that reset weekly and the floating rate note holders have the option to tender their notes to the dealer trusts for redemption at par at each reset date. At April 30, 2009, Trust investments with a value of $156,787,842 are held by the dealer trusts and serve as collateral for the $92,495,000 in floating rate notes outstanding at that date. Contractual maturities of the floating rate notes and interest rates in effect at April 30, 2009 are presented on the Portfolio of Investments. The average floating rate notes outstanding and average annual interest and fee rate related to residual interests during the six months ended April 30, 2009 were $110,009,286 and 1.38%, respectively.
 
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates
Under the terms of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen Asset Management (the “Adviser”) will provide investment advice and facilities to the Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .55% of the average daily net assets including current preferred shares and leverage of $68,000,000 entered into to retire previously issued preferred shares of the Trust. The Adviser has agreed to waive investment advisory fees equal to .10% of the average daily net assets including current preferred shares and leverage of $68,000,000 entered into to retire previously issued preferred shares of the Trust. For the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Adviser waived approximately $347,100 of its advisory fees. This waiver is voluntary and can be discounted at any time.
For the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $36,400 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, of which a trustee of the Trust is a partner of such firm and he and his law firm provide legal services as legal counsel to the Trust.
Under separate Legal Services, Accounting Services and Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Employment agreements, the Adviser provides accounting and legal services and the CCO provides compliance services to the Trust. The costs of these services are allocated to each trust. For the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Trust recognized expenses of approximately $54,900 representing Van Kampen Investments Inc.’s or its affiliates’ (collectively “Van Kampen”) cost of providing accounting and legal services to the Trust, as well as the salary, benefits and related costs of the CCO and related support staff paid by Van Kampen.
 
 
35


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
Services provided pursuant to the Legal Services agreement are reported as part of “Professional Fees” on the Statement of Operations. Services provided pursuant to the Accounting Services and CCO Employment agreement are reported as part of “Accounting and Administrative Expenses” on the Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are also officers of Van Kampen.
The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee’s years of service to the Trust. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500.
 
3. Capital Transactions
For the six months ended April 30, 2009 and the year ended October 31, 2008, transactions in common shares were as follows:
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
  Year Ended
    April 30, 2009   October 31, 2008
 
Beginning Shares
    33,620,065       33,957,237  
Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment
    26,075       14,293  
Shares Repurchased*
    0       (351,465 )
                 
Ending Shares
    33,646,140       33,620,065  
                 
 
* The Trust has a share repurchase program for purposes of enhancing stockholder value and reducing the discount at which the Trust’s shares trade from their net asset value. For the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Trust did not repurchase any of its shares. For the year ended October 31, 2008, the Trust repurchased 351,465 of its shares at an average discount of 7.10% from net asset value per share. The Trust expects to continue to repurchase its outstanding shares at such time and in such amounts as it believes such activity will further the accomplishment of the foregoing objectives, subject to review of the Trustees.
 
4. Investment Transactions
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $62,758,735 and $107,912,541, respectively.
 
5. 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, 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
 
 
36


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
realized gain or loss is generally recognized. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.
Summarized below are the specific types of derivative financial instruments used by the Trust.
 
A. Futures Contracts 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 contracts on U.S. Treasury securities and typically closes the contract prior to the delivery date. These contracts are generally used to manage the Trust’s effective maturity and duration. Upon entering into futures contracts, the Trust maintains an amount of cash or liquid securities with a value equal to a percentage of the contract amount with either a futures commission merchant pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the 1940 Act, or with its custodian in an account in the broker’s name. This amount is known as initial margin. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). The risk of loss associated with a futures contract is in excess of the variation margin reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. There were no futures transactions entered into during the six months ended April 30, 2009.
 
B. Inverse Floating Rate Securities The Trust may invest a portion of its assets in inverse floating rate municipal securities, which are variable debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. These investments are typically used by the Trust in seeking to enhance the yield of the portfolio or used as an alternative form of leverage in order to redeem a portion of the Trust’s preferred shares. Inverse floating rate investments tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Inverse floating rate investments have varying degrees of liquidity. Inverse floating rate securities in which the Trust may invest include derivative instruments such as residual interest bonds (“RIBs”) or tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust that holds long-term fixed rate bonds (which may be tendered by the Trust in certain instances) and sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to third party investors, and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Trust. The short-term floating rate interests have first priority on the cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust and the Trust is paid the residual cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust.
The Trust generally invests in inverse floating rate investments that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Trust to greater risks and increased costs. The market value of a “leveraged” inverse floating rate investment generally will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an unleveraged investment. The extent of increases and decreases in the value of inverse floating rate investments generally will be larger than changes in an equal principal amount of a fixed rate security having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, which may cause the Trust’s net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not invested in inverse floating rate investments.
In certain instances, the short-term floating rate interests created by the special purpose trust may not be able to be sold to third parties or, in the case of holders tendering (or
 
 
37


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
putting) such interests for repayment of principal, may not be able to be remarketed to third parties. In such cases, the special purpose trust holding the long-term fixed rate bonds may be collapsed. In the case of RIBs or TOBs created by the contribution of long-term fixed income bonds by the Trust, the Trust will then be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered securities. During times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty, the Trust could be required to sell other portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time to raise cash to meet that obligation.
 
6. Preferred Shares
The Trust has outstanding 10,880 Auction Preferred Securities (APS). Series A and B contain 2,400 shares, Series C, D and E contain 1,600 shares, and Series F contains 1,280 shares. Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rate on each series is generally reset every 28 days through an auction process. Beginning on February 14, 2008 and continuing through April 30, 2009, all series of preferred shares of the Trust were not successfully remarketed. As a result, the dividend rates of these preferred shares were reset to the maximum applicable rate on APS. The average rate in effect on April 30, 2009 was 0.388%. During the six months ended April 30, 2009, the rates ranged from 0.287% to 3.077%.
Historically, the Trust paid annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred auction. Effective March 16, 2009, the Trust decreased this amount to .15% due to auction failures. In the future, if auctions no longer fail, the Trust may return to an annual fee payment of .25% of the preferred share liquidation value. These fees are included as a component of “Preferred Share Maintenance” expense on 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.
The Trust has the option to enter into additional inverse floating rate securities as an alternative form of leverage in order to redeem and retire a portion of its preferred shares. For the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Trust did not exercise this option.
 
7. Indemnifications
The Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Trust has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
8. Accounting Pronouncements
On March 19, 2008, Financial Accounting Standards Board released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (FAS 161). FAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of FAS 161 is required for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. At this time, management does not believe the adoption of FAS 161 will impact the financial statement amounts; however, additional footnote disclosures may be required about the use of derivative instruments and hedging items.
 
 
38


 

Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
Notes to Financial Statements  
n  April 30, 2009 (Unaudited)  continued
 
On April 9, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Staff Position No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly (FSP 157-4). FSP 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FAS 157 when the volume and level of activity for the assets or liability have significantly decreased. FSP 157-4 also requires additional disaggregation of the current FAS 157 required disclosures. FSP 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FSP 157-4 and the impact it will have on the financial statement disclosures.
 
 
39


 

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

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

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

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

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
111 South Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606-4301
 
 
 
* “Interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
 
40


 

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


 


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


 


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


 


Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
If you wish to opt-out of sharing and to limit marketing offers, you may do so by:
 
  •   Calling us at (800) 847-2424
Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. (ET)
 
 
  •   Writing to us at the following address:
Van Kampen Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 
 
If you choose to write to us, your written request should include your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-out applies and should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your request, we require that the request be provided by you directly and not through a third party.
 
If you have previously notified us about your privacy preferences, it is not necessary to do so again unless you decide to change your preferences. Your opt-out preference will remain in effect with respect to this Policy (as it may be amended) until you notify us otherwise in writing. If you have a joint account, your direction for us not to share this information with other affiliated companies and for those affiliated companies not to use your personal information for marketing will be applied to all account holders on that account.
 
Please understand that if you opt-out, you and any joint account holders may not receive information about affiliated company products and services that could help you manage your financial resources and achieve your investment objectives.
 
If you hold more than one account with Van Kampen, you may receive multiple privacy policies from us, and would need to follow the directions stated in each particular policy for each account you have with us.
 
SPECIAL NOTICE TO RESIDENTS OF VERMONT
 
This section supplements our Policy with respect to our individual clients who have a Vermont address and supersedes anything to the contrary in the above Policy with respect to those clients only.
 
The State of Vermont requires financial institutions to obtain your consent prior to sharing personal information that they collect about you with affiliated companies and nonaffiliated third parties other than in certain limited circumstances. Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about you with nonaffiliated third parties or other affiliated companies unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information (“opt-in”).
 
(continued on back)
 


 


Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
An Important Notice Concerning Our
U.S. Privacy Policy  continued
 
If you wish to receive offers for investment products and services offered by or through other affiliated companies, please notify us in writing at the following address:
 
      Van Kampen Privacy Department
Harborside Financial Center, Plaza Two, 3rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
 
 
Your authorization should include your name, address, telephone number and account number(s) to which the opt-in applies and should not be sent with any other correspondence. In order to process your authorization, we require that the authorization be provided by you directly and not through a third-party.
 
 
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
www.vankampen.com
 
Copyright ©2009 Van Kampen Funds Inc.
All rights reserved. Member FINRA/SIPC
 
VMOSAN 6/09
IU09-02615P-Y04/09
(VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO)
 


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 6. Schedule of Investments.
(a) Please refer to Item #1.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures
(a) The Trust’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in this Form N-CSRS was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.

 


 

(1) Code of Ethics — Not applicable for semi-annual reports.
(2)(a) A certification for the Principal Executive Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.
(2)(b) A certification for the Principal Financial Officer of the registrant is attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust
By: /s/ Edward C. Wood III
Name: Edward C. Wood III
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: June 23, 2009
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ Edward C. Wood III
Name: Edward C. Wood III
Title: Principal Executive Officer
Date: June 23, 2009
By: /s/ Stuart N. Schuldt
Name: Stuart N. Schuldt
Title: Principal Financial Officer
Date: June 23, 2009