Table of Contents OVERVIEW LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS 1 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT 2 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY RETURN HIGHLIGHTS 4 PORTFOLIO AT A GLANCE CREDIT QUALITY 6 SIX-MONTH DIVIDEND HISTORY 6 TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES 6 Q&A WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS 7 GLOSSARY OF TERMS 10 BY THE NUMBERS YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS 11 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 22 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 28 BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES 37 Promising economic signs have appeared on the horizon. This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered. NOT FDIC INSURED MAY LOSE VALUE NO BANK GUARANTEE OVERVIEW LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS March 20, 2002 Dear Shareholder, In recent months, promising economic signs have appeared on the horizon. While it may be too soon to declare an end to the recession, it's never too soon to discuss diversification and long-term investment strategies. Over the years, we've used our generations of experience to help investors like you pursue their financial goals. Whether you're planning for your future, or for your family's, we encourage you to consider including a variety of stock and fixed-income funds in your portfolio. We believe an appropriately diversified portfolio, one which includes a balanced mix of investments, may help smooth out the effects of the market's fluctuations--and, as such, may help improve your portfolio's long-term performance. While no portfolio is immune to volatility, your advisor can help you structure a portfolio designed to address your long-term financial goals. Be sure to discuss your situation with your advisor before investing. Thank you for your continued trust in Van Kampen. We appreciate the opportunity to help you and your loved ones enjoy life's true wealth--family, friends and life's daily pleasures. Sincerely, [SIG] Richard F. Powers, III President and CEO Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. 1 ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT THE ECONOMY AND INTEREST RATES IN FEBRUARY 2002, SIGNS OF IMPROVING ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WERE EVIDENT AS REPORTS OF A GROWING ECONOMY AND IMPROVING RETAIL SALES SURFACED. HOWEVER, MANY BUSINESS LEADERS, AS WELL AS WALL STREET FORECASTERS, REMAINED SKEPTICAL THAT AN ECONOMIC RECOVERY WAS UNDERWAY. THE DEBATE WAS SEEMINGLY PUT TO REST AT MONTH'S END AS FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD CHAIRMAN ALAN GREENSPAN DELIVERED AN UPBEAT ASSESSMENT OF FUTURE ECONOMIC PROSPECTS TO CONGRESS. DURING HIS PRESENTATION, GREENSPAN INFORMED MEMBERS OF THE SENATE THAT THE U.S RECESSION HAD COME TO AN END--AND THAT THE FED'S RATE-CUTTING CAMPAIGN HAD ALSO RUN ITS COURSE. THE 11 RATE REDUCTIONS MADE DURING 2001 HAD BROUGHT THE FEDERAL FUNDS RATE TO 1.75 PERCENT, A 40-YEAR LOW. IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING GREENSPAN'S COMMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT RELEASED STATISTICAL DATA WHICH SEEMED TO SUPPORT THE CHAIRMAN'S CLAIMS. U.S. ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2001 WAS MUCH STRONGER THAN ANTICIPATED, WHILE FEBRUARY 2002 BROUGHT SIGNS OF MARKED IMPROVEMENT FOR A BELEAGUERED MANUFACTURING SECTOR. 2 U.S. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANNUALIZED RATES (December 31, 1999--December 31, 2001) [BAR GRAPH] U.S. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT --------------------------- Dec 99 8.30 Mar 00 4.80 Jun 00 5.70 Sep 00 1.30 Dec 00 1.90 Mar 01 1.30 Jun 01 0.30 Sep 01 -1.30 Dec 01 1.40 Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis INTEREST RATES AND INFLATION (February 28, 2000--February 28, 2002) [LINE GRAPH] INTEREST RATES INFLATION -------------- --------- Feb 00 5.75 3.20 6.00 3.80 6.00 3.10 May 00 6.50 3.20 6.50 3.70 6.50 3.70 Aug 00 6.50 3.40 6.50 3.50 6.50 3.40 Nov 00 6.50 3.40 6.50 3.40 5.50 3.70 Feb 01 5.50 3.50 5.00 2.90 4.50 3.30 May 01 4.00 3.60 3.75 3.20 3.75 2.70 Aug 01 3.50 2.70 3.00 2.60 2.50 2.10 Nov 01 2.00 1.90 1.75 1.60 1.75 1.10 Feb 02 1.75 1.10 Interest rates are represented by the closing midline federal funds target rate on the last day of each month. Inflation is indicated by the annual percentage change of the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers at the end of each month. Source: Bloomberg 3 PERFORMANCE SUMMARY RETURN HIGHLIGHTS (as of February 28, 2002) A SHARES B SHARES C SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Six-month total return based on NAV(1) -7.61% -7.96% -7.80% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Six-month total return(2) -11.98% -11.43% -8.67% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- One-year average annual total return(2) -17.32% -16.92% -14.53% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five-year average annual total return(2) -1.52% -1.53% -1.35% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ten-year average annual total return(2) 4.86% N/A N/A --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life-of-Fund average annual total return(2) 7.10% 4.43%(3) 2.77% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commencement date 10/02/78 07/02/92 07/06/93 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution rate(4) 11.94% 11.67% 11.77% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEC Yield(5) 11.93% 11.68% 11.79% --------------------------------------------------------------------------- N/A = Not Applicable (1) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the period and does not include payment of the maximum sales charge (4.75% for Class A Shares) or contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B and Class C Shares. On purchases of Class A Shares of $1 million or more, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. Returns for Class B Shares are calculated without the effect of the maximum 4% CDSC, charged on certain redemptions made within the first and second year of purchase and declining to 0% after the fifth year. Returns for Class C Shares are calculated without the effect of the maximum 1% CDSC, charged on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. If the sales charges were included, total returns would be lower. These returns include combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees of up to .25% for Class A Shares and 1% for Class B and Class C Shares and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. 4 (2) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the period and includes payment of the maximum sales charge (4.75% for Class A Shares) or CDSC for Class B and Class C Shares and combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees. On purchases of Class A Shares of $1 million or more, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. Returns for Class B Shares are calculated with the effect of the maximum 4% CDSC, charged on certain redemptions made within the first and second year of purchase and declining to 0% after the fifth year. Returns for Class C Shares are calculated with the effect of the maximum 1% CDSC, charged on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. The combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees for Class A Shares is up to .25% and for Class B and Class C Shares is 1%. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (3) Reflects the conversion of Class B Shares into Class A Shares six years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were purchased. See Footnote 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information. (4) Distribution rate represents the monthly annualized distributions of the Fund at the end of the period and not the earnings of the Fund. (5) SEC Yield is a standardized calculation prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission for determining the amount of net income a portfolio should theoretically generate for the 30-day period ended February 28, 2002. See the Comparative Performance section of the current prospectus. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risks, and you could lose money on your investment in the Fund. Please review the Risk/Return Summary of the Prospectus for further details on investment risks. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. As a result of recent market activity, current performance may vary from the figures shown. For more up-to-date information, please visit vankampen.com or speak with your financial advisor. Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. 5 PORTFOLIO AT A GLANCE CREDIT QUALITY (as a percentage of corporate debt obligations) As of February 28, 2002 - A/A................ 0.5% [PIE CHART] - BBB/Baa............ 10.3% - BB/Ba.............. 24.6% - B/B................ 49.1% - CCC/Caa............ 7.7% - CC/Ca.............. 2.4% - Non-Rated.......... 5.4% As of August 31, 2001 - BBB/Baa............ 6.2% [PIE CHART] - BB/Ba.............. 19.4% - B/B................ 65.1% - CCC/Caa............ 5.8% - CC/Ca.............. 1.0% - C/C................ 0.3% - Non-Rated.......... 2.2% Based upon the credit quality ratings as issued by Standard & Poor's Credit Market Services/Moody's Investor Services, respectively. Subject to change daily. SIX-MONTH DIVIDEND HISTORY (for the six months ending February 28, 2002) [BAR GRAPH] 9/01 0.0427 ---- ------ 10/01 0.0427 11/01 0.0427 12/01 0.0393 1/02 0.0393 2/02 0.0383 The dividend history represents dividends that were paid on the fund's Class A shares and is no guarantee of the fund's future dividends. TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES (as a percentage of long-term investments) [BAR GRAPH] FEBRUARY 28, 2002 AUGUST 31, 2001 ----------------- --------------- Wireless Communications 15.00 17.70 Cable 10.40 8.40 Forest Products 8.70 8.40 Energy 8.30 6.80 Gaming & Leisure 7.00 6.60 Subject to change daily. All information is provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy the securities in the industries shown above. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co. and others affiliated with it may hold positions in or may seek to perform investment- banking services for the companies listed. 6 Q&A WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO MANAGERS WE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH THE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR THE VAN KAMPEN HIGH INCOME CORPORATE BOND FUND ABOUT THE KEY EVENTS AND ECONOMIC FORCES THAT SHAPED THE MARKETS AND INFLUENCED THE FUND'S RETURN DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2002. THE FUND IS MANAGED BY THE ADVISER'S TAXABLE FIXED INCOME TEAM. MEMBERS OF THE TEAM(1) INCLUDE STEPHEN ESSER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GORDON LOERY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND DEANNA LOUGHNANE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION REFLECTS THEIR VIEWS ON THE FUND'S PERFORMANCE. (1) Team members may change at any time without notice. Q HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE MARKET ENVIRONMENT DURING THE LAST SIX MONTHS? A The past six months have been very volatile for the entire market. The economy was already struggling as we entered the reporting period, but the events of September 11 accelerated its decline. In the weeks that followed, business and consumer activity came to a virtual standstill, unemployment rose and gross domestic product declined. During the reporting period, the Federal Reserve Board continued its efforts to help boost the economy through ongoing reductions in short-term interest rates. By the end of 2001, the Fed had cut the federal funds rate on 11 separate occasions during the year, bringing it to a 40-year low of just 1.75 percent. The high-yield market suffered along with the rest of the market during much of the past six months. September was a particularly difficult month, with returns on high-yield bonds down roughly six percent. We believe this was due in most part to the effects of the terrorist attacks and a market perception at the time that the economy was going to get much worse. The airline, hotel, gaming, insurance, financial and retail sectors were especially hard hit in September. The fixed-line and wireless telecommunications sectors were also poor performers, as was cable, though to a lesser degree. In October, however, the market began to show some signs of improvement as consumer confidence appeared to be growing and the equity market gained. The high-yield market made a dramatic comeback, recouping almost all of the losses incurred in September. Telecommunications was one of the few sectors that did not experience a rally in October. We believe this was mainly due to a general market perception that this sector entailed very high risk. High-yield bonds continued to rally in November, took a pause in December, and moved forward again 7 in early January. Fund inflows were strong in early January as well; the second week of the month alone saw $1.2 billion flow into high-yield funds -- one of the largest weekly flows in the history of the market. By February, however, the market had turned again and flows into high-yield had stopped. The ramifications of the Enron scandal rippled through much of the market, but did not seem to have an appreciable effect on high-yield bonds. We believe this is because investors have generally demanded greater and more detailed information on the companies that issue high-yield debt because of the higher perceived risk their securities can entail. For higher-rated companies, on the other hand, investors typically don't demand as much information because the perceived investment risk is lower. In our opinion, this "transparency" in the high-yield market has helped buffer it from the fallout. Q HOW WAS THE FUND POSITIONED AND HOW DID IT PERFORM GIVEN THE CHALLENGING MARKET CONDITIONS? A The fund was overweighted in both the fixed-line and wireless telecommunications sectors, which were the biggest drag on performance during the last six months. We have maintained the fund's weightings here because we believe these sectors continue to be undervalued. However, if we see improvement, which may occur later in the year, it's likely we'll reduce the fund's holdings in both sectors. The fund had only a slight overweight in cable, and so was not as negatively affected by poor performance in that sector. On a more positive note, forest products did well and the fund's overweight in that sector helped boost performance. In addition, underweights in both metals and utilities helped temper the effects of those sectors' weakness. We continued to avoid too much exposure to consumer-related sectors such as retail and consumer products. Consumer spending did not decline to the extent the overall economy did, and so we anticipate it could lag the overall economy through a recovery. During the reporting period, we continued to maintain a high level of diversification in the fund, with holdings in over 200 individual securities. The fund's overall average credit quality of a B+ rating has remained basically unchanged from six months ago. We have kept the credit quality equal to or slightly above that of the high-yield market as a whole, and may consider increasing it slightly later in the year. The fund continued to provide shareholders with what we believe is an attractive level of income, as its monthly dividend of $0.0383 per share translates to a distribution rate of 11.94 percent based on the fund's maximum offering price as of February 28, 2002. For the six-month period ended February 28, 2002, the fund generated a total return of -7.61 percent. Performance information for the fund reflects Class A shares at net asset value including combined Rule 12b-1 fees and 8 service fees of up to 0.25 percent and excluding a maximum sales charge of 4.75 percent; if the maximum sales charge were included, the return would be lower. The return above does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Of course, past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance of other share classes will vary. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. As a result of recent market activity, current performance may vary from the figures shown. For more up-to-date information, please visit vankampen.com or speak with your financial advisor. By comparison, the Chase Global High Yield Index posted a total return of -0.82 percent and the Lipper High Yield Bond Fund Index posted a total return of -3.68 percent, for the same period. The Chase Global High Yield Index is a broad-based, unmanaged index which reflects the general performance of the global high-yield corporate debt market. The Lipper High Yield Bond Fund Index is an index of funds with similar investment objectives. These index returns do not include any sales charges or fees that would be paid by an investor purchasing the securities they represent. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. For additional performance results, please refer to the chart and footnotes on page 4. Q WHAT IS YOUR OUTLOOK FOR THE MARKET IN THE MONTHS AHEAD? A We believe the economy will continue to improve this year, with growth by year-end of perhaps two to three percent. Given that estimate, we expect the default rate for high-yield may begin to decline, perhaps in the second quarter, and continue to drop as the year progresses. We believe that the tragic events of September postponed any improvement there to date, but it's quite possible we could end this year with a default rate of seven to seven and one-half percent. By 2003, we are hopeful that rate will approach the more historical long-term average of approximately four percent. In all, a healthier economy and improved default scenario should lead to better performance ahead for the high-yield market. ANNUAL HOUSEHOLDING NOTICE To reduce fund expenses, the fund attempts to eliminate duplicate mailings to the same address. The fund delivers a single copy of certain shareholder documents to investors who share an address, even if the accounts are registered under different names. The fund's prospectuses and shareholder reports will be delivered to you in this manner indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. You can request multiple copies of these documents by either calling (800) 341-2911 or writing to Van Kampen Investor Services at 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. Once Investor Services has received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days. 9 GLOSSARY OF TERMS A HELPFUL GUIDE TO SOME OF THE COMMON TERMS YOU'RE LIKELY TO SEE IN THIS REPORT AND OTHER FINANCIAL PUBLICATIONS. CREDIT RATING: An evaluation of a bond issuer's credit history and capability of repaying debt obligations. Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Moody's Investors Service are two companies that assign credit ratings. Standard & Poor's ratings range from a high of AAA to a low of D, while Moody's ratings range from a high of Aaa to a low of C. DEFAULT: The failure to make required debt payments on time. DIVERSIFICATION: A method of portfolio allocation and management aimed at balancing investment risk and return; a balanced portfolio may combine stocks, bonds, and cash equivalents. FEDERAL FUNDS RATE: The interest rate charged by one financial institution lending federal funds to another. The Federal Reserve Board adjusts the federal funds rate to affect the direction of interest rates. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD (THE FED): The governing body of the Federal Reserve System, which is the central bank of the United States. Its policy-making committee, called the Federal Open Market Committee, meets at least eight times a year to establish monetary policy and monitor the economic pulse of the United States. GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP): The total market value of all finished goods and services produced in a country in a given year. YIELD: The annual rate of return on an investment, expressed as a percentage. 10 BY THE NUMBERS YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) THE FOLLOWING PAGES DETAIL YOUR FUND'S PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS AT THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD. PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE CORPORATE BONDS 87.4% AEROSPACE 0.9% $2,050 Atlas Air, Inc. ........................ 9.375% 11/15/06 $ 1,629,750 3,750 Atlas Air, Inc. ........................ 10.750 08/01/05 3,206,250 300 Jet Equipment Trust, Ser 95-D, 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 11.440 11/01/14 258,564 200 Jet Equipment Trust, Ser C1, 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 11.790 12/15/13 86,000 ------------ 5,180,564 ------------ BROADCASTING 2.3% 5,405 Interep National Radio Sales............ 10.000 07/01/08 3,729,450 1,995 Nextmedia Operating, Inc., 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 10.750 07/01/11 2,134,650 1,050 Radio One, Inc. ........................ 8.875 07/01/11 1,110,375 7,075 Radio Unica Corp. (b)................... 0/11.750 08/01/06 2,936,125 3,440 TV Azteca SA, Ser B (Mexico)............ 10.500 02/15/07 3,495,900 ------------ 13,406,500 ------------ CABLE 10.0% 3,000 Adelphia Communications Corp. .......... 7.750 01/15/09 2,805,000 2,285 Adelphia Communications Corp. .......... 10.875 10/01/10 2,433,525 1,850 Adelphia Communications Corp., Ser B.... 9.875 03/01/07 1,868,500 7,450 British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC (United Kingdom)........................ 8.200 07/15/09 7,681,740 9,470 Callahan Nordrhein Westfallen (Germany)............................... 14.000 07/15/10 2,793,650 1,200 Charter Communications Holdings......... 10.250 01/15/10 1,176,000 4,225 Charter Communications Holdings LLC (b)..................................... 0/11.750 01/15/10 2,894,125 4,180 Charter Communications Holdings LLC..... 8.250 04/01/07 3,824,700 1,750 Diamond Cable Co. (United Kingdom)...... 11.750 12/15/05 595,000 275 Echostar DBS Corp. ..................... 9.250 02/01/06 281,875 5,015 Echostar DBS Corp., 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 9.125 01/15/09 5,109,031 2,250 Frontiervision Holdings L.P. ........... 11.875 09/15/07 2,424,375 2,875 Frontiervision Holdings L.P., Ser B..... 11.875 09/15/07 3,097,812 5,500 International Cabletel, Inc., Ser B..... 11.500 02/01/06 2,007,500 3,923 James Cable Partners L.P., Ser B........ 10.750 08/15/04 2,451,875 3,425 Multicanal Participacoes, Ser B (Brazil)................................ 12.625 06/18/04 2,303,312 See Notes to Financial Statements 11 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE CABLE (CONTINUED) $5,160 NTL, Inc. (b)........................... 0/9.750% 04/01/08 $ 1,651,200 4,710 Ono Finance PLC (United Kingdom)........ 13.000 05/01/09 2,566,950 810 Pegasus Communications Corp. ........... 9.750 12/01/06 595,350 1,085 Pegasus Communications Corp., Ser B..... 12.500 08/01/07 927,675 6,250 Satelites Mexicanos SA (Mexico)......... 10.125 11/01/04 3,609,375 2,700 Telewest Communications PLC (United Kingdom) (b)............................ 0/9.250 04/15/09 1,032,750 785 Telewest Communications PLC (United Kingdom) (b)............................ 0/11.375 02/01/10 278,675 6,665 Telewest Communications PLC (United Kingdom)................................ 11.000 10/01/07 3,699,075 4,500 UIH Australia/Pacific, Inc., Ser B (c)..................................... 14.000 05/15/06 270,000 4,260 United Pan-Europe Communication, Ser B (Netherlands) (b) (c)................... 0/12.500 08/01/09 447,300 4,415 United Pan-Europe Communication, Ser B (Netherlands) (c)....................... 10.875 11/01/07 596,025 ------------ 59,422,395 ------------ CHEMICALS 3.8% 2,220 Acetex Corp. (Canada)................... 10.875 08/01/09 2,275,500 3,110 Equistar Chemicals LP................... 10.125 09/01/08 3,125,550 1,935 Huntsman ICI Chemicals LLC.............. 10.125 07/01/09 1,712,475 2,800 Huntsman ICI Chemicals LLC (Euro)....... 10.125 07/01/09 1,944,217 1,169 IMC Global, Inc. ....................... 7.625 11/01/05 1,120,136 1,505 ISP Chemco, Inc., 144A-- Private Placement (a)........................... 10.250 07/01/11 1,580,250 3,680 ISP Holdings, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 10.625 12/15/09 3,781,200 2,800 Messer Griesham (Germany) (Euro)........ 10.375 06/01/11 2,589,860 1,425 Om Group, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (a)..................................... 9.250 12/15/11 1,478,437 5,054 Pioneer Americas Acquisition Corp., Ser B (c)................................... 9.250 06/15/07 1,187,690 2,020 Terra Industries, Inc., Ser B........... 10.500 06/15/05 1,666,500 ------------ 22,461,815 ------------ CONSUMER PRODUCTS 1.2% 1,750 Delta Mills, Inc., Ser B................ 9.625 09/01/07 883,750 5,940 Elizabeth Arden, Inc. .................. 11.750 02/01/11 5,375,700 4,000 Sleepmaster LLC (c) (d)................. 11.000 05/15/09 660,000 ------------ 6,919,450 ------------ See Notes to Financial Statements 12 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE DIVERSIFIED MEDIA 3.7% $1,510 Belo Corp. ............................. 8.000% 11/01/08 $ 1,566,210 3,530 Hollinger Participation Trust, 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 12.125 11/15/10 3,194,469 5,520 MDC Corporation, Inc. (Canada).......... 10.500 12/01/06 4,278,000 5,415 Muzak LLC............................... 9.875 03/15/09 4,683,975 3,950 Primedia, Inc. ......................... 8.875 05/15/11 3,466,125 3,475 Quebecor Media, Inc. (Canada)........... 11.125 07/15/11 3,753,000 1,350 Quebecor Media, Inc. (Canada)........... 13.750 07/15/11 864,000 ------------ 21,805,779 ------------ ENERGY 8.0% 3,560 BRL Universal Equipment................. 8.875 02/15/08 3,649,000 6,775 Chesapeake Energy Corp. ................ 8.125 04/01/11 6,673,375 4,385 Frontier Oil Corp. ..................... 11.750 11/15/09 4,680,987 4,200 Grey Wolf, Inc. ........................ 8.875 07/01/07 4,221,000 2,445 Hanover Equipment Trust, 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 8.500 09/01/08 2,481,675 1,475 Hanover Equipment Trust, 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 8.750 09/01/11 1,489,750 5,975 Houston Exploration Co. ................ 8.625 01/01/08 6,004,875 4,450 Husky Oil Ltd. (Canada)................. 8.900 08/15/28 4,669,429 2,160 Pogo Producing Co. ..................... 8.250 04/15/11 2,251,800 4,035 Port Arthur Finance Corp., Ser A........ 12.500 01/15/09 4,327,537 2,115 Stone Energy Corp., 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 8.250 12/15/11 2,146,725 5,765 Vintage Petroleum, Inc. ................ 7.875 05/15/11 5,044,375 ------------ 47,640,528 ------------ FINANCIAL 1.6% 3,395 Americo Life, Inc. ..................... 9.250 06/01/05 3,403,488 3,345 Anthem Insurance Cos., Inc., 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 9.125 04/01/10 3,669,605 2,060 CIT Group, Inc. ........................ 5.625 05/17/04 1,979,804 350 CIT Group, Inc. ........................ 6.500 02/07/06 342,180 ------------ 9,395,077 ------------ FOOD & DRUG 0.8% 207 California Farm Lease Trust, 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 8.500 07/15/17 217,309 1,200 Jitney-Jungle Stores America, Inc. (c) (d)..................................... 12.000 03/01/06 120 4,915 Pantry, Inc. ........................... 10.250 10/15/07 4,570,950 ------------ 4,788,379 ------------ See Notes to Financial Statements 13 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE FOOD & TOBACCO 1.8% $2,000 Gruma SA (Mexico)....................... 7.625% 10/15/07 $ 1,915,000 2,800 Michael Foods, Inc., Ser B.............. 11.750 04/01/11 3,066,000 3,990 Smithfield Foods, Inc. ................. 7.625 02/15/08 4,009,950 1,725 Smithfield Foods, Inc., Ser B........... 8.000 10/15/09 1,785,375 ------------ 10,776,325 ------------ FOREST PRODUCTS 8.4% 3,000 AEP Industries, Inc. ................... 9.875 11/15/07 3,060,000 1,995 Kappa Beheer BV (Netherlands)........... 10.625 07/15/09 2,204,475 1,555 Kappa Beheer BV (Netherlands) (Euro).... 10.625 07/15/09 1,444,428 675 Longview Fibre Co., 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 10.000 01/15/09 698,625 1,180 Louisiana Pacific Corp. ................ 8.875 08/15/10 1,176,062 4,200 Louisiana Pacific Corp. ................ 10.875 11/15/08 4,242,000 1,400 Norske Skog, 144A--Private Placement (Canada) (a)............................ 8.625 06/15/11 1,435,000 6,775 Owens-Illinois, Inc. ................... 7.500 05/15/10 6,199,125 5,025 Pacifica Papers, Inc. (Canada).......... 10.000 03/15/09 5,401,875 6,500 Printpack, Inc., Ser B.................. 10.625 08/15/06 6,857,500 3,250 Radnor Holdings Corp., Ser B (Canada)... 10.000 12/01/03 2,453,750 2,235 Repap New Brunswick, Inc. (Canada)...... 9.000 06/01/04 2,366,306 2,350 Riverwood International Corp. .......... 10.875 04/01/08 2,449,875 4,025 Tekni-Plex, Inc., Ser B................. 12.750 06/15/10 4,145,750 2,750 Vicap SA (Mexico)....................... 10.250 05/15/02 2,743,125 3,100 Vicap SA (Mexico)....................... 11.375 05/15/07 2,844,250 ------------ 49,722,146 ------------ GAMING & LEISURE 6.8% 2,815 Argosy Gaming Co. ...................... 10.750 06/01/09 3,135,206 1,430 Autotote Corp., Ser B................... 12.500 08/15/10 1,565,850 2,650 Harrahs Operating Co., Inc. ............ 7.875 12/15/05 2,789,125 1,910 Harrahs Operating Co., Inc. ............ 8.000 02/01/11 2,036,327 1,290 Hilton Hotels Corp. .................... 7.950 04/15/07 1,306,223 4,825 HMH Properties Inc., Ser B.............. 7.875 08/01/08 4,704,375 5,365 Horseshoe Gaming LLC.................... 8.625 05/15/09 5,613,131 4,050 International Game Technology........... 8.375 05/15/09 4,409,438 1,660 Park Place Entertainment Corp. ......... 7.875 12/15/05 1,693,200 1,480 Park Place Entertainment Corp. ......... 8.875 09/15/08 1,554,000 5,000 Premier Parks, Inc. (b)................. 0/10.000 04/01/08 4,675,000 3,675 Station Casinos, Inc. .................. 8.875 12/01/08 3,776,063 2,800 Station Casinos, Inc. .................. 9.875 07/01/10 3,010,000 ------------ 40,267,938 ------------ See Notes to Financial Statements 14 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE HEALTHCARE 2.8% $1,900 AdvancePCS.............................. 8.500% 04/01/08 $ 2,004,500 1,735 Amerisourcebergen Corp. ................ 8.125 09/01/08 1,830,425 750 Columbia HCA............................ 6.910 06/15/05 776,610 1,100 Fresenius Medical Care Trust II......... 7.875 02/01/08 1,100,000 5,085 Fresenius Medical Care Trust IV......... 7.875 06/15/11 5,085,000 3,840 HCA--The Healthcare Co. ................ 8.750 09/01/10 4,320,000 1,135 Omnicare Inc., Ser B.................... 8.125 03/15/11 1,203,100 ------------ 16,319,635 ------------ HOUSING 3.9% 1,430 Centex Corp. ........................... 7.500 01/15/12 1,467,692 2,845 Centex Corp. ........................... 7.875 02/01/11 2,990,288 3,100 Istar Financial, Inc. .................. 8.750 08/15/08 3,121,536 1,630 Nortek, Inc. ........................... 8.875 08/01/08 1,672,788 2,800 Nortek, Inc. ........................... 9.875 06/15/11 2,870,000 4,855 Toll Corp. ............................. 8.250 02/01/11 4,952,100 5,600 Webb (Del E.) Corp. .................... 10.250 02/15/10 6,195,000 ------------ 23,269,404 ------------ INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 1.6% 9,000 CHS Electronics, Inc. (c) (d)........... 9.875 04/15/05 180,000 7,500 Fairchild Semiconductor Corp. .......... 10.375 10/01/07 7,987,500 470 Flextronics International Ltd. (Singapore)............................. 8.750 10/15/07 481,750 625 Flextronics International Ltd. (Singapore)............................. 9.875 07/01/10 671,875 ------------ 9,321,125 ------------ MANUFACTURING 1.9% 2,100 American Plumbing & Mechanical.......... 11.625 10/15/08 1,984,500 2,100 Anchor Lamina, Inc. (Canada)............ 9.875 02/01/08 559,125 1,650 Case Corp., Ser B....................... 6.250 12/01/03 1,486,010 1,850 Case Credit Corp. ...................... 6.125 02/15/03 1,668,313 3,500 CMI Industries, Inc. (c) (d)............ 9.500 10/01/03 927,500 4,500 Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc. .......... 9.375 03/01/08 2,947,500 1,580 Numatics, Inc., Ser B................... 9.625 04/01/08 829,500 1,417 Reunion Industries, Inc. (c)............ 13.000 05/01/03 800,605 ------------ 11,203,053 ------------ MEDIA-NONCABLE 0.2% 1,500 Corus Entertainment Inc., 144A--Private Placement (Canada) (a).................. 8.750 03/01/12 1,487,790 ------------ METALS 1.2% 9,380 Doe Run Resources Corp., Ser B.......... 11.250 03/15/05 1,922,900 6,655 GS Technologies Operating, Inc. (c) (d)..................................... 12.000 09/01/04 698,775 See Notes to Financial Statements 15 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE METALS (CONTINUED) $2,450 GS Technologies Operating, Inc. (c) (d)..................................... 12.250% 10/01/05 $ 85,750 700 Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (c) (d)..................................... 9.875 02/15/49 525,000 2,855 Murrin Murrin Holdings Property Ltd (Australia)............................. 9.375 08/31/07 870,775 5,000 Renco Steel Holdings, Inc., Ser B....... 10.875 02/01/05 625,000 7,525 Republic Technologies International LLC (c) (d)................................. 13.750 07/15/09 526,750 1,700 Ucar Finance Inc., 144A--Private Placement (a)........................... 10.250 02/15/12 1,755,250 ------------ 7,010,200 ------------ RETAIL 1.1% 2,585 Autonation, Inc. ....................... 9.000 08/01/08 2,723,944 3,725 Big 5 Corp., Ser B...................... 10.875 11/15/07 3,701,719 ------------ 6,425,663 ------------ SERVICES 3.3% 6,020 Allied Waste North America, Inc. ....... 10.000 08/01/09 6,155,450 1,900 Avis Group Holdings, Inc. .............. 11.000 05/01/09 2,061,500 1,500 Building One Services Corp. ............ 10.500 05/01/09 682,500 6,250 Hydrochem Industrial Services, Inc., Ser B....................................... 10.375 08/01/07 4,531,250 6,000 Outsourcing Services Group, Inc., Ser B....................................... 10.875 03/01/06 4,230,000 1,850 United Rentals North America, Inc. ..... 10.750 04/15/08 2,025,750 ------------ 19,686,450 ------------ TELECOMMUNICATIONS 5.1% 2,660 360networks, Inc. (Canada) (c) (d)...... 13.000 05/01/08 266 2,800 360networks, Inc. (Canada) (Euro) (c) (d)..................................... 13.000 05/01/08 24,250 2,085 Asia Global Crossing (Bermuda).......... 13.375 10/15/10 469,125 6,650 E.Spire Communications, Inc. (c) (d).... 13.000 11/01/05 698,250 4,210 Exodus Communications, Inc. (c) (d)..... 11.250 07/01/08 894,625 3,430 Exodus Communications, Inc. (c) (d)..... 11.625 07/15/10 728,875 2,750 Exodus Communications, Inc. (Euro) (c) (d)..................................... 11.375 07/15/08 500,562 192 Focal Communications Corp., Ser B....... 11.875 01/15/10 64,320 3,500 Global Crossing Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda) (c) (d)................................. 8.700 08/01/07 140,000 9,335 Global Crossing Holdings Ltd. (Bermuda) (c) (d)................................. 9.125 11/15/06 233,375 1,950 Global Telesystems (Netherlands) (Euro) (c)..................................... 11.000 12/01/09 67,557 3,305 Globix Corp. (c)........................ 12.500 02/01/10 495,750 5,305 GST Network Funding, Inc. (c) (d)....... 10.500 05/01/08 1,034,475 568 GST Telecommunications, Inc., 144A-- Private Placement (a) (c) (d)........... 13.875 12/15/05 8,520 See Notes to Financial Statements 16 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE TELECOMMUNICATIONS (CONTINUED) $12,590 GT Group Telecom, Inc. (Canada) (b)..... 0/13.250% 02/01/10 $ 881,300 600 Hermes Europe Railtel BV (Netherlands) (c) (d)................................. 11.500 08/15/07 57,000 2,500 ICG Holdings, Inc. (c) (d).............. 12.500 05/01/06 175,000 11,075 ICG Holdings, Inc. (c) (d).............. 13.500 09/15/05 775,250 155 Intermedia Communications, Inc. ........ 8.600 06/01/08 143,375 4,440 Intermedia Communications, Inc., Ser B (b)..................................... 0/11.250 07/15/07 4,262,400 3,400 Jazztel PLC (United Kingdom) (Euro)..... 13.250 12/15/09 707,272 3,450 Jazztel PLC (United Kingdom) (Euro)..... 14.000 07/15/10 717,628 8,300 KMC Telecommunications Holdings, Inc. (b)..................................... 0/12.500 02/15/08 207,500 4,525 Madison River Capital/Madison River Financial............................... 13.250 03/01/10 3,552,125 7,070 McLeodUSA, Inc. (c) (d)................. 11.375 01/01/09 1,767,500 4,335 Metromedia Fiber Network, Inc. ......... 10.000 12/15/09 1,062,075 1,925 MGC Communications, Inc., Ser B......... 13.000 10/01/04 625,625 2,030 Netia Holdings BV (Netherlands) (Euro) (c)..................................... 13.750 06/15/10 316,627 1,525 Netia Holdings BV, Ser B (Netherlands) (c)..................................... 10.250 11/01/07 221,125 6,965 Netia Holdings BV, Ser B (Netherlands) (c)..................................... 11.250 11/01/07 975,100 1,165 Nextlink Communications, Inc. (b) (c)... 0/9.450 04/15/08 116,500 2,265 Nextlink Communications, Inc. (b) (c)... 0/12.125 12/01/09 184,031 4,510 Nextlink Communications, Inc. (c)....... 10.500 12/01/09 541,200 3,000 Park N View, Inc., Ser B (c) (d)........ 13.000 05/15/08 30,000 3,500 PF Net Communications, Inc. ............ 13.750 05/15/10 367,500 1,175 Philippine Long Distance Telephone (Philippines)........................... 10.500 04/15/09 1,085,149 4,450 Price Communications Wireless........... 11.750 07/15/07 4,683,625 11,565 PSINet, Inc. (c) (d).................... 10.500 12/01/06 1,098,675 1,750 PSINet, Inc. (Euro) (c) (d)............. 10.500 12/01/06 117,492 425 Viatel, Inc. (b) (c) (d)................ 0/12.500 04/15/08 1,594 7,790 Viatel, Inc. (c) (d).................... 11.500 03/15/09 29,213 5,800 Worldwide Fiber, Inc. (Canada) (c) (d)..................................... 12.000 08/01/09 29,000 ------------ 30,090,831 ------------ TRANSPORTATION 2.8% 9,885 Aetna Industries, Inc. (c).............. 11.875 10/01/06 1,581,600 117 Aran Shipping & Trading, SA (c)......... 8.300 01/31/04 0 1,580 Arvinmeritor, Inc. ..................... 8.750 03/01/12 1,629,024 885 Collins & Aikman Products Co. .......... 11.500 04/15/06 769,950 2,645 Collins & Aikman Products Co., 144A-- Private Placement (a)................... 10.750 12/31/11 2,545,813 4,675 Dana Corp. ............................. 9.000 08/15/11 4,287,335 1,700 Dana Corp. (Euro)....................... 9.000 08/15/11 1,368,988 See Notes to Financial Statements 17 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED) $1,345 Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. (c) (d)..................................... 9.125% 07/15/07 $ 80,700 4,500 Stena AB (Sweden)....................... 10.500 12/15/05 4,522,500 ------------ 16,785,910 ------------ UTILITY 2.2% 1,805 Calpine Corp. .......................... 8.500 02/15/11 1,301,681 3,500 Calpine Corp. .......................... 8.625 08/15/10 2,478,291 3,595 Mirant Americas Generation, Inc. ....... 8.300 05/01/11 3,061,276 2,605 PG & E National Energy Group, Inc. ..... 10.375 05/16/11 2,661,794 2,880 Williams Cos., Inc. .................... 7.500 01/15/31 2,466,210 1,480 Williams Cos., Inc. .................... 7.750 06/15/31 1,304,922 ------------ 13,274,174 ------------ WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS 12.0% 7,025 Airgate PCS, Inc. (b)................... 0/13.500 10/01/09 3,828,625 1,645 Alamosa Delaware, Inc. ................. 12.500 02/01/11 1,192,625 14,255 Alamosa PCS Holdings, Inc. (b).......... 0/12.875 02/15/10 5,488,175 2,525 American Cellular Corp. ................ 9.500 10/15/09 2,057,875 3,980 American Tower Corp. ................... 9.375 02/01/09 2,646,700 300 AMSC Acquisition, Inc. (c) (d).......... 12.250 04/01/08 114,000 5,085 Centennial Cellular Operating Co. ...... 10.750 12/15/08 2,593,350 3,100 Crown Castle International Corp. (b).... 0/10.625 11/15/07 2,371,500 700 Crown Castle International Corp. ....... 10.750 08/01/11 553,000 5,925 CTI Holdings SA (Argentina) (b)......... 0/11.500 04/15/08 503,625 3,610 Dobson Communications Corp. ............ 10.875 07/01/10 3,339,250 9,675 IPCS, Inc. (b).......................... 0/14.000 07/15/10 4,402,125 6,650 Microcell Telecommunications, Ser B (Canada)................................ 14.000 06/01/06 4,555,250 8,775 Millicom International Cellular SA (Luxembourg)............................ 13.500 06/01/06 5,221,125 2,375 Nextel Communications, Inc. (b)......... 0/9.950 02/15/08 1,312,188 9,070 Nextel Communications, Inc. ............ 9.375 11/15/09 5,804,800 1,000 Nextel Communications, Inc. ............ 12.000 11/01/08 692,500 1,750 PTC International Finance (Luxembourg) (Euro).................................. 10.875 05/01/08 1,564,259 2,205 Rural Cellular Corp. ................... 9.625 05/15/08 1,775,025 4,850 SBA Communications Corp. (b)............ 0/12.000 03/01/08 2,303,750 7,000 SBA Communications Corp. ............... 10.250 02/01/09 3,990,000 6,650 Spectrasite Holdings, Inc. (b).......... 0/11.250 04/15/09 1,562,750 5,585 Telecorp PCS, Inc. (b).................. 0/11.625 04/15/09 4,942,725 2,250 Telecorp PCS, Inc. ..................... 10.625 07/15/10 2,553,750 See Notes to Financial Statements 18 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) PAR AMOUNT MARKET (000) DESCRIPTION COUPON MATURITY VALUE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS (CONTINUED) $3,335 Tritel PCS, Inc. ....................... 10.375% 01/15/11 $ 3,776,888 4,040 US Unwired, Inc. (b).................... 0/13.375 11/01/09 2,222,000 ------------ 71,367,860 ------------ TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS 87.4%............................................ 518,028,991 ------------ DOMESTIC CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS 1.4% INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 0.7% 9,535 Solectron Corp., LYON................... * 11/20/20 4,374,181 ------------ MANUFACTURING 0.7% 8,320 Corning, Inc. .......................... * 11/08/15 4,139,200 ------------ TOTAL DOMESTIC CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS........................ 8,513,381 ------------ FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS 3.2% 8,620 Federal Republic of Brazil (Brazil)..... 8.000 04/15/14 7,066,681 800 Federal Republic of Brazil (Brazil)..... 11.000 01/11/12 739,600 2,908 Republic of Colombia (Columbia)......... 9.750 04/09/11 2,915,337 1,500 Republic of Columbia (Columbia)......... 9.750 04/23/09 1,548,750 6,090 United Mexican States (Mexico).......... 8.375 01/14/11 6,549,795 ------------ TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS.................................... 18,820,163 ------------ EQUITIES 4.6% Airgate PCS, Inc. (4,906 Common Shares) (e)................... 45,037 AT & T Canada, Inc., Class B (31,718 ADR Common Shares ) (Canada) (e).................................................. 780,263 Broadwing Communications, Inc. (7,730 Preferred Shares, 12.50% coupon, $1,000 par per share)................................. 3,884,325 Contour Energy Co. (75,000 Common Shares) (e)................. 42,000 Crown Castle International Corp. (6,464 Preferred Shares, 12.75% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (e) (f).................. 2,924,960 DecisionOne Corp. (14,162 Common Stock Warrants Class B) (e)........................................................... 0 DecisionOne Corp. (14,661 Common Shares) (e).................. 0 DecisionOne Corp. (8,219 Common Stock Warrants Class A) (e)... 0 DecisionOne Corp. (8,400 Common Stock Warrants Class C) (e)... 0 Dobson Communications Corp. (32,661 Preferred Shares, 13.00% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (f)............................. 2,784,360 Focal Communications Corp. (43,971 Common Shares) (e)......... 9,674 See Notes to Financial Statements 19 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) MARKET DESCRIPTION VALUE EQUITIES (CONTINUED) Globalstar Telecommunications, 144A--Private Placement (285 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)................................ $ 3 GT Group Telecom, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (12,590 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)....................................... 56,655 HF Holdings, Inc. (36,820 Common Stock Warrants) (e).......... 368 Intermedia Communications, Inc. (3,075 Preferred Shares, Ser B, 13.50% coupon, $1,000 par per share)....................... 2,959,687 Intersil Holding Corp., Class A (31,481 Common Shares) (e).... 873,283 IPCS, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (9,675 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)............................................. 417,234 Jazztel PLC (3,450 Common Stock Warrants) (United Kingdom) (e)........................................................... 299 KMC Telecommunications Holdings, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (9,555 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)......................... 478 McLeodUSA, Inc. (59,106 Common Shares) (d) (e)................ 10,639 Mediq, Inc. (5,526 Common Shares)............................. 30,008 Motient Corp., 144A--Private Placement (3,000 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)............................................. 405 Nextel Communications, Inc. (5,657 Preferred Shares, Ser D, 13.00% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (e) (f).................. 2,050,662 Nextlink Communications, Inc. (2,491 Preferred Shares, Ser B, 13.50% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (e) (f).................. 25 NTL, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (6,889 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)............................................. 1,206 Occidente Y Caribe Celular SA, 144A--Private Placement (20,850 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)................................ 209 Ono Finance PLC, 144A--Private Placement (4,710 Common Stock Warrants) (United Kingdom) (a) (e)............................ 23,550 OpTel, Inc. (3,275 Common Shares) (e)......................... 33 Park N View, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (3,000 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (d) (e)......................................... 30 Pathmark Stores, Inc. (71,889 Common Stock Warrants) (e)...... 603,149 Paxon Communication Corp. (33,265 Preferred Shares, 13.25% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (f)............................. 2,802,576 PF Net Communications, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (3,500 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)................................ 35 Price Communications Corp. (55,114 Commons Shares) (e)........ 1,008,586 Primus Telecommunications Group (2,000 Common Stock Warrants) (e)........................................................... 2,250 Republic Technologies International, Inc., 144A--Private Placement (7,525 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (d) (e)........... 75 Rural Cellular Corp. (10,889 Preferred Shares, 11.375% coupon, $1,000 par per share) (f)..................................... 5,471,723 See Notes to Financial Statements 20 YOUR FUND'S INVESTMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) MARKET DESCRIPTION VALUE EQUITIES (CONTINUED) Song Networks Holding AB (5,195 ADR Common Shares) (Sweden) (e)........................................................... $ 1,662 Star Gas Partners, L.P. (1,219 Units of Limited Partnership Interests).................................................... 22,612 Startec Global Communications, 144A--Private Placement (8,100 Common Stock Warrants) (a) (e)................................ 81 Terex Corp. (28,000 Common Stock Rights) (e).................. 570,220 UIH Austrailia/Pacific, Inc. (5,000 Common Stock Warrants) (e)........................................................... 50 VS Holdings, Inc. (568,178 Common Shares) (e)................. 106,079 ------------ TOTAL EQUITIES $4.7%.................................................... 27,484,491 ------------ TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 96.6% (Cost $842,786,336)................................................... 572,847,026 REPURCHASE AGREEMENT 1.4% BankAmerica Securities ($8,384,000 par collateralized by U.S. Government obligations in a pooled cash account, dated 02/28/02, to be sold on 03/01/02 at $8,384,433) (Cost $8,384,000)................ 8,384,000 ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS 98.0% (Cost $851,170,336)................................................... 581,231,026 FOREIGN CURRENCY 0.0% (Cost $157,469)....................................................... 151,604 OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 2.0%............................. 11,121,149 ------------ NET ASSETS 100.0%...................................................... $592,503,779 ============ * Zero coupon bond (a) 144A securities are those which are exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration which are normally those transactions with qualified institutional buyers. (b) Security is a "step-up" bond where the coupon increases or steps up at a predetermined date. (c) Non-income producing as security is in default. (d) This borrower has filed for protection in federal bankruptcy court. (e) Non-income producing security. (f) Payment-in-kind security. ADR--American Depositary Receipt See Notes to Financial Statements 21 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Assets and Liabilities February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) ASSETS: Total Investments (Cost $851,170,336)....................... $ 581,231,026 Foreign Currency (Cost $157,469)............................ 151,604 Receivables: Interest.................................................. 14,716,499 Investments Sold.......................................... 4,957,469 Fund Shares Sold.......................................... 2,752,400 Other....................................................... 162,776 -------------- Total Assets............................................ 603,971,774 -------------- LIABILITIES: Payables: Investments Purchased..................................... 4,895,084 Fund Shares Repurchased................................... 2,838,970 Income Distributions...................................... 2,239,813 Distributor and Affiliates................................ 422,857 Custodian Bank............................................ 292,116 Investment Advisory Fee................................... 254,614 Accrued Expenses............................................ 284,395 Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 217,838 Forward Foreign Currency Contract........................... 22,308 -------------- Total Liabilities....................................... 11,467,995 -------------- NET ASSETS.................................................. $ 592,503,779 ============== NET ASSETS CONSIST OF: Capital (Par value of $.01 per share with an unlimited number of shares authorized).............................. $1,043,022,576 Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. (13,634,212) Accumulated Net Realized Loss............................... (166,912,836) Net Unrealized Depreciation................................. (269,971,749) -------------- NET ASSETS.................................................. $ 592,503,779 ============== MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE: Class A Shares: Net asset value and redemption price per share (Based on net assets of $336,400,018 and 91,714,206 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)............. $ 3.67 Maximum sales charge (4.75%* of offering price)......... .18 -------------- Maximum offering price to public........................ $ 3.85 ============== Class B Shares: Net asset value and offering price per share (Based on net assets of $209,884,033 and 57,036,478 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)............. $ 3.68 ============== Class C Shares: Net asset value and offering price per share (Based on net assets of $46,219,728 and 12,674,132 shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding)............. $ 3.65 ============== * On sales of $100,000 or more, the sales charge will be reduced. See Notes to Financial Statements 22 Statement of Operations For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest.................................................... $ 36,263,628 Dividends................................................... 1,954,575 Other....................................................... 71,039 ------------- Total Income............................................ 38,289,242 ------------- EXPENSES: Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees (Attributed to Classes A, B and C of $431,117, $1,125,020 and $249,406, respectively)............................................. 1,805,543 Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 1,718,415 Shareholder Services........................................ 657,943 Custody..................................................... 51,556 Legal....................................................... 15,794 Trustees' Fees and Related Expenses......................... 14,259 Other....................................................... 237,487 ------------- Total Expenses.......................................... 4,500,997 Less Credits Earned on Cash Balances.................... 15,399 ------------- Net Expenses............................................ 4,485,598 ------------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $ 33,803,644 ============= REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS: Realized Gain/Loss: Investments............................................... $ (25,389,146) Foreign Currency Transactions............................. 689,907 ------------- Net Realized Loss........................................... (24,699,239) ------------- Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation: Beginning of the Period................................... (208,501,761) ------------- End of the Period: Investments............................................. (269,939,310) Forward Foreign Currency Contract....................... (22,308) Foreign Currency Translation............................ (10,131) ------------- (269,971,749) ------------- Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period............... (61,469,988) ------------- NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED LOSS............................ $ (86,169,227) ============= NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS.................. $ (52,365,583) ============= See Notes to Financial Statements 23 Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2002 AUGUST 31, 2001 ------------------------------------ FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES: Operations: Net Investment Income............................... $ 33,803,644 $ 76,409,177 Net Realized Loss................................... (24,699,239) (76,486,992) Net Unrealized Depreciation During the Period....... (61,469,988) (75,914,495) ------------- ------------- Change in Net Assets from Operations................ (52,365,583) (75,992,310) ------------- ------------- Distributions from Net Investment Income: Class A Shares.................................... (22,591,592) (48,820,753) Class B Shares.................................... (13,178,576) (27,920,646) Class C Shares.................................... (2,943,784) (6,374,410) ------------- ------------- (38,713,952) (83,115,809) ------------- ------------- Return of Capital Distribution: Class A Shares.................................... -0- (689,811) Class B Shares.................................... -0- (397,113) Class C Shares.................................... -0- (91,210) ------------- ------------- -0- (1,178,134) ------------- ------------- Total Distributions................................. (38,713,952) (84,293,943) ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES........................................ (91,079,535) (160,286,253) ------------- ------------- FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS: Proceeds from Shares Sold........................... 107,096,421 340,214,717 Net Asset Value of Shares Issued Through Dividend Reinvestment...................................... 23,624,197 48,871,390 Cost of Shares Repurchased.......................... (149,861,572) (319,107,793) ------------- ------------- NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS.. (19,140,954) 69,978,314 ------------- ------------- TOTAL DECREASE IN NET ASSETS........................ (110,220,489) (90,307,939) NET ASSETS: Beginning of the Period............................. 702,724,268 793,032,207 ------------- ------------- End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment income of ($13,634,212) and ($7,555,855), respectively)..... $ 592,503,779 $ 702,724,268 ============= ============= See Notes to Financial Statements 24 Financial Highlights (Unaudited) THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE SHARE OF THE FUND OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED. SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, CLASS A SHARES FEBRUARY 28, ------------------------------------------ 2002 (A) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 --------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD.................. $ 4.23 $ 5.24 $ 5.68 $ 6.06 $ 6.55 $ 6.30 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net Investment Income....... .21 .51 .59 .63 .61 .60 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss................. (.53) (.96) (.43) (.37) (.48) .27 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total from Investment Operations.................. (.32) (.45) .16 .26 .13 .87 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less: Distributions from Net Investment Income......... .24 .55 .60 .64 .62 .62 Return of Capital Distributions............. -0- .01 -0- -0- -0- -0- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Distributions........... .24 .56 .60 .64 .62 .62 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD...................... $ 3.67 $ 4.23 $ 5.24 $ 5.68 $ 6.06 $ 6.55 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return (b).............. -7.61%* -9.04% 3.09% 4.41% 1.66% 14.44% Net Assets at End of the Period (In millions)........ $336.4 $394.4 $465.0 $492.4 $499.3 $468.6 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (c).............. 1.08% 1.05% 1.03% 1.03% 1.00% 1.08% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets (c)... 10.97% 10.93% 10.90% 10.65% 9.33% 9.37% Portfolio Turnover............ 42%* 80% 68% 51% 90% 75% * Non-annualized (a) As required, effective September 1, 2001, the Fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began amortizing premium on fixed income securities. The effect of these changes for the period ended February 28, 2002 was a decrease in the ratio of net investment income to average net assets from 11.06% to 10.97%. Net investment income per share and net realized gains and losses per share were unaffected by the adjustments. Per share, ratios and supplemental data for periods prior to February 28, 2002 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. (b) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the period and does not include payment of the maximum sales charge of 4.75% or contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). On purchases of $1 million or more, a CDSC of 1% may be imposed on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. If the sales charges were included, total returns would be lower. These returns include combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees of up to .25% and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (c) For the year ended August 31, 1997, the impact on the Ratios of Expenses and Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets due to Van Kampen's reimbursement of certain expenses was less than .01%. See Notes to Financial Statements 25 Financial Highlights (Unaudited) THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE SHARE OF THE FUND OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED. SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, CLASS B SHARES FEBRUARY 28, ------------------------------------------ 2002 (A) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 --------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD.................. $ 4.24 $ 5.25 $ 5.68 $ 6.06 $ 6.56 $ 6.31 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net Investment Income....... .20 .48 .55 .58 .57 .56 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss................. (.53) (.97) (.43) (.37) (.49) .26 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total from Investment Operations.................. (.33) (.49) .12 .21 .08 .82 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Less: Distributions from Net Investment Income......... .23 .51 .55 .59 .58 .57 Return of Capital Distributions............. -0- .01 -0- -0- -0- -0- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Distributions........... .23 .52 .55 .59 .58 .57 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD...................... $ 3.68 $ 4.24 $ 5.25 $ 5.68 $ 6.06 $ 6.56 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Total Return (b).............. -7.96%* -9.80% 2.43% 3.57% .77% 13.58% Net Assets at End of the Period (In millions)........ $209.9 $249.6 $268.7 $318.2 $283.1 $198.0 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (c).............. 1.85% 1.83% 1.78% 1.79% 1.79% 1.86% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets (c)... 10.22% 10.13% 10.15% 9.88% 8.52% 8.60% Portfolio Turnover............ 42%* 80% 68% 51% 90% 75% * Non-annualized (a) As required, effective September 1, 2001, the Fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began amortizing premium on fixed income securities. The effect of these changes for the period ended February 28, 2002 was a decrease in the ratio of net investment income to average net assets from 10.31% to 10.22%. Net investment income per share and net realized gains and losses per share were unaffected by the adjustments. Per share, ratios and supplemental data for periods prior to February 28, 2002 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. (b) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the period and does not include payment of the maximum CDSC of 4% charged on certain redemptions made within the first and second year of purchase and declining to 0% after the fifth year. If the sales charge was included, total returns would be lower. These returns include combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees of up to 1% and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or redemption of Fund shares. (c) For the year ended August 31, 1997, the impact on the Ratios of Expenses and Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets due to Van Kampen's reimbursement of certain expenses was less than .01%. See Notes to Financial Statements 26 Financial Highlights (Unaudited) THE FOLLOWING SCHEDULE PRESENTS FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE SHARE OF THE FUND OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIODS INDICATED. SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, CLASS C SHARES FEBRUARY 28, --------------------------------------------- 2002 (A) 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF THE PERIOD............ $ 4.20 $ 5.22 $ 5.65 $6.04 $6.53 $ 6.28 ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- ------ Net Investment Income.... .19 .48 .55 .58 .57 .56 Net Realized and Unrealized Gain/Loss... (.51) (.98) (.43) (.38) (.49) .26 ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- ------ Total from Investment Operations............... (.32) (.50) .12 .20 .08 .82 ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- ------ Less: Distributions from Net Investment Income...... .23 .51 .55 .59 .57 .57 Return of Capital Distributions.......... -0- .01 -0- -0- -0- -0- ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- ------ Total Distributions........ .23 .52 .55 .59 .57 .57 ------ ------- ------ ----- ----- ------ NET ASSET VALUE, END OF THE PERIOD................... $ 3.65 $ 4.20 $ 5.22 $5.65 $6.04 $ 6.53 ====== ======= ====== ===== ===== ====== Total Return (b)........... -7.80%* -10.06% 2.45% 3.42% .93% 13.64% Net Assets at End of the Period (In millions)..... $ 46.2 $ 58.7 $ 59.4 $67.3 $55.8 $ 30.8 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (c)... 1.85% 1.82% 1.78% 1.79% 1.79% 1.86% Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets (c)............... 10.21% 10.12% 10.15% 9.87% 8.49% 8.57% Portfolio Turnover......... 42%* 80% 68% 51% 90% 75% * Non-annualized (a) As required, effective September 1, 2001, the Fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began amortizing premium on fixed income securities. The effect of these changes for the period ended February 28, 2002 was a decrease in the ratio of net investment income to average net assets from 10.30% to 10.21%. Net investment income per share and net realized gains and losses per share were unaffected by the adjustments. Per share, ratios and supplemental data for periods prior to February 28, 2002 have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. (b) Assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the period and does not include payment of the maximum CDSC of 1% charged on certain redemptions made within one year of purchase. If the sales charge was included, total returns would be lower. These returns include combined Rule 12b-1 fees and service fees of up to 1% and do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. (c) For the year ended August 31, 1997, the impact on the Ratios of Expenses and Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets due to Van Kampen's reimbursement of certain expenses was less than .01%. See Notes to Financial Statements 27 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Van Kampen High Income Corporate Bond Fund (the "Fund") is organized as a Delaware business trust, and is registered as a diversified, open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), as amended. The Fund's primary investment objective is to seek to maximize current income. Capital appreciation is a secondary objective which is sought only when consistent with the Fund's primary investment objective. The Fund commenced investment operations on October 2, 1978. The distribution of the Fund's Class B and Class C shares commenced on July 2, 1992 and July 6, 1993, respectively. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund 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 Fixed income investments and preferred stock are stated at value using market quotations or indications of value obtained from an independent pricing service. Investments in securities listed on a securities exchange are valued at their sale price as of the close of such securities exchange. Listed and unlisted securities for which the last sale price is not available are valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices. For those securities where quotations or prices are not available, valuations are determined in accordance with procedures established in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS Security transactions are recorded on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis. The Fund 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 Fund will maintain, in a segregated account with its custodian, assets having an aggregate value at least equal to the amount of the when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments until payment is made. At February 28, 2002, there were no when-issued or delayed delivery purchase commitments. 28 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements, which are short-term investments in which the Fund acquires ownership of a debt security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future time and specified price. The Fund may invest independently in repurchase agreements, or transfer uninvested cash balances into a pooled cash account along with other investment companies advised by Van Kampen Asset Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or its affiliates, the daily aggregate of which is invested in repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are fully collateralized by the underlying debt security. The Fund will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of book entry transfer to the account of the custodian bank. The seller is required to maintain the value of the underlying security at not less than the repurchase proceeds due the Fund. C. INCOME AND EXPENSES Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts on debt securities are accreted and premiums are amortized over the expected life of each applicable security. Income and expenses of the Fund are allocated on a pro rata basis to each class of shares, except for distribution and service fees and transfer agency costs which are unique to each class of shares. As required, effective September 1, 2001, the Fund has adopted the provisions of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide for Investment Companies and began amortizing premium on fixed income securities. Prior to September 1, 2001, the Fund did not amortize premiums on fixed income securities. The cumulative effect of this accounting change had no impact on total net assets of the Fund, but resulted in a $1,168,049 reduction in cost of securities and a corresponding $1,168,049 decrease in net unrealized depreciation based on securities held by the Fund on September 1, 2001. The effect of this change for the six months ended February 28, 2002, was to decrease net investment income by $287,040; increase net unrealized depreciation by $169,094, and decrease net realized loss by $456,134. The statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for prior periods have not been restated to reflect this change in presentation. D. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. The Fund 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 such losses against any future realized capital gains. At 29 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) August 31, 2001, the Fund had an accumulated capital loss carryforward for tax purposes of $70,647,293 which expires between August 31, 2003 and August 31, 2009. Net realized gains or losses may differ for financial reporting and tax purposes primarily as a result of the deferral of losses relating to wash sales transactions. At February 28, 2002, for federal income tax purposes, cost of long- and short-term investments is $856,005,589, the aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $18,177,275 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $292,951,838, resulting in net unrealized depreciation on long- and short-term investments of $274,774,563. E. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS The Fund declares daily and pays monthly dividends from net investment income. Net realized gains, if any, are distributed annually. Distributions from net realized gains for book purposes may include short-term capital gains, which are included in ordinary income for tax purposes. For tax purposes, the determination of a return of capital distribution is made at the end of the Fund's fiscal year. Therefore, while it is likely that a portion of the Fund's distribution will ultimately be characterized as a return of capital for tax purposes, no such designation has been made for the six months ended February 28, 2002. F. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS During the six months ended February 28, 2002, the Fund's custody fee was reduced by $15,399 as a result of credits earned on cash balances. G. FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION Asset and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the quoted bid and ask prices of such currencies against the U.S. dollar. Purchases and sales of portfolio securities are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing when such securities were acquired or sold. Income and expenses are translated at rates prevailing when accrued. 30 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) 2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES Under the terms of the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will provide investment advice and facilities to the Fund for an annual fee payable monthly as follows: AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS % PER ANNUM First $150 million.......................................... .625% Next $150 million........................................... .550% Over $300 million........................................... .500% For the six months ended February 28, 2002, the Fund recognized expenses of approximately $15,800 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Fund, of which a trustee of the Fund is an affiliated person. Under an Accounting Services Agreement, the Adviser provides accounting services to the Fund. The Adviser allocates the cost of such services to each fund. For the six months ended February 28, 2002, the Fund recognized expenses of approximately $25,400 representing Van Kampen Investments Inc.'s or its affiliates' (collectively "Van Kampen") cost of providing accounting services to the Fund which are reported as part of "Other" expenses in the Statement of Operations. Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, serves as the shareholder servicing agent of the Fund. For the six months ended February 28, 2002, the Fund recognized expenses of approximately $542,200. Transfer agency fees are determined through negotiations with the Fund's Board of Trustees and are based on competitive market benchmarks. Certain officers and trustees of the Fund are also officers and directors of Van Kampen. The Fund does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers of Van Kampen. The Fund 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. Amounts deferred are retained by the Fund and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, as amended, may be invested in the common shares of those funds selected by the trustees. Investments in such funds of $122,793 are included in "Other" assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at February 28, 2002. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Fund. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable upon retirement for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's 31 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) years of service to the Fund. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is $2,500. 3. CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS At February 28, 2002, capital aggregated $696,430,197, $281,693,318 and $64,899,061 for Classes A, B and C, respectively. For the six months ended February 28, 2002, transactions were as follows: SHARES VALUE Sales: Class A............................................... 17,221,489 $ 67,537,737 Class B............................................... 7,257,958 28,579,829 Class C............................................... 2,799,003 10,978,855 ----------- ------------- Total Sales............................................. 27,278,450 $ 107,096,421 =========== ============= Dividend Reinvestment: Class A............................................... 3,791,794 $ 14,714,909 Class B............................................... 1,873,378 7,287,343 Class C............................................... 420,216 1,621,945 ----------- ------------- Total Dividend Reinvestment............................. 6,085,388 $ 23,624,197 =========== ============= Repurchases: Class A............................................... (22,611,480) $ (88,763,454) Class B............................................... (10,990,309) (43,313,008) Class C............................................... (4,511,937) (17,785,110) ----------- ------------- Total Repurchases....................................... (38,113,726) $(149,861,572) =========== ============= 32 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) At August 31, 2001, capital aggregated $702,941,005, $289,139,154, and $70,083,371 for Classes A, B and C, respectively. For the year ended August 31, 2001, transactions were as follows: SHARES VALUE Sales: Class A............................................... 39,566,053 $ 183,387,498 Class B............................................... 25,823,429 121,621,870 Class C............................................... 7,516,010 35,205,349 ----------- ------------- Total Sales............................................. 72,905,492 $ 340,214,717 =========== ============= Dividend Reinvestment: Class A............................................... 6,736,427 $ 30,752,478 Class B............................................... 3,217,974 14,676,957 Class C............................................... 761,816 3,441,955 ----------- ------------- Total Dividend Reinvestment............................. 10,716,217 $ 48,871,390 =========== ============= Repurchases: Class A............................................... (41,661,180) $(193,713,914) Class B............................................... (21,292,875) (99,170,760) Class C............................................... (5,683,215) (26,223,119) ----------- ------------- Total Repurchases....................................... (68,637,270) $(319,107,793) =========== ============= Class B Shares purchased on or after June 1, 1996, and any dividend reinvestment plan Class B Shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A Shares eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were purchased. Class B Shares purchased before June 1, 1996, and any dividend reinvestment plan Class B Shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A Shares six years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were purchased. For the six months ended February 28, 2002 and the year ended August 31, 2001, 988,331 and 1,820,303 Class B Shares automatically converted to Class A Shares, respectively and are shown in the above table as sales of Class A Shares and repurchases of Class B Shares. Class C Shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend reinvestment plan Class C Shares received on such shares, automatically convert to Class A Shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were purchased. Class C Shares purchased on or after January 1, 1997 do not possess a conversion feature. For the six months ended February 28, 2002 and the year ended August 31, 2001, no Class C Shares converted to Class A Shares. Class B and C Shares are offered without a front end sales charge, but are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). The 33 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) CDSC will be imposed on most redemptions made within five years of the purchase for Class B Shares and one year of the purchase for Class C Shares as detailed in the following schedule. CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF DOLLAR AMOUNT SUBJECT TO CHARGE -------------------------- YEAR OF REDEMPTION CLASS B CLASS C First..................................................... 4.00% 1.00% Second.................................................... 4.00% None Third..................................................... 3.00% None Fourth.................................................... 2.50% None Fifth..................................................... 1.50% None Sixth and Thereafter...................................... None None For the six months ended February 28, 2002, Van Kampen, as Distributor for the Fund, received net commissions on sales of the Fund's Class A Shares of approximately $53,300 and CDSC on redeemed shares of Classes B and C of approximately $269,600. Sales charges do not represent expenses of the Fund. On October 27, 2000, the Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the Van Kampen High Yield and Total Return Fund (the "VKHYTR Fund") through a tax free reorganization approved by VKHYTR Fund shareholders on October 11, 2000. The Fund issued 1,164,310, 3,514,197 and 907,160 shares of Classes A, B and C valued at $5,670,192, $17,149,280, and $4,399,728, respectively, in exchange for VKHYTR Fund's net assets. The shares of VKHYTR Fund were converted into Fund shares at a ratio of .5025 to 1, .5045 to 1 and .5013 to 1, for Classes A, B and C, respectively. Included in these net assets was a capital loss carryforward of $2,747,360 and deferred wash sale losses of $49,802 which is included in accumulated net realized gain/loss. Net unrealized depreciation of VKHYTR Fund as of October 27, 2000 was $5,150,365. Shares issued in connection with this reorganization are included in proceeds from shares sold for the year ended August 31, 2001. Combined net assets on the day of reorganization were $721,982,089. 4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments, excluding short-term investments, were $255,643,496 and $257,175,750, respectively. 34 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) 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. The Fund has a variety of reasons to use derivative instruments, such as to attempt to protect the Fund against possible changes in the market value of its portfolio, manage the Fund's effective yield, foreign currency exposure, maturity and duration or generate potential gain. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized accordingly, except when taking delivery of a security underlying a forward commitment. In this instance, the recognition of gain or loss is postponed until the disposal of the security underlying the forward commitment. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment involves a risk that the market value at the time of delivery may be lower than the agreed upon purchase price resulting in an unrealized loss. Selling securities on a forward commitment involves different risks and can result in losses more significant than those arising from the purchase of such securities. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. A forward foreign currency contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Upon the settlement of the contract, a realized gain or loss is recognized and is included as a component of realized gain/loss on forwards. Risks may arise as a result of the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The following forward currency contract was outstanding as of February 28, 2002: UNREALIZED CURRENT APPRECIATION/ VALUE DEPRECIATION Short Contract: Euro Currency, $11,550,800 expiring 04/30/02........................ $11,573,108 $(22,308) 6. DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS With respect to its Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares, the Fund and its shareholders have adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a service plan (collectively the "Plans"). The Plans govern payments for the distribution of the Fund's Class A shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares; the provision of ongoing shareholder services with respect to such classes of shares; and maintenance of shareholder accounts with respect to 35 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS February 28, 2002 (Unaudited) such classes of shares. Annual fees under the Plans of up to .25% of Class A average daily net assets and 1.00% each for Class B and Class C average daily net assets are accrued daily. Included in these fees for the six months ended February 28, 2002 are payments retained by Van Kampen of approximately $955,700 and payments made to Morgan Stanley DW Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, of approximately $54,900. 36 BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND IMPORTANT ADDRESSES VAN KAMPEN HIGH INCOME CORPORATE BOND FUND BOARD OF TRUSTEES J. MILES BRANAGAN JERRY D. CHOATE LINDA HUTTON HEAGY R. CRAIG KENNEDY MITCHELL M. MERIN* JACK E. NELSON RICHARD F. POWERS, III* WAYNE W. WHALEN* - Chairman SUZANNE H. WOOLSEY INVESTMENT ADVISER VAN KAMPEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. 1 Parkview Plaza P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555 DISTRIBUTOR VAN KAMPEN FUNDS INC. 1 Parkview Plaza P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555 SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT VAN KAMPEN INVESTOR SERVICES INC. P.O. Box 218256 Kansas City, Missouri 64121-8256 CUSTODIAN STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY 225 Franklin Street P.O. Box 1713 Boston, Massachusetts 02110 LEGAL COUNSEL SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS) 333 West Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS ERNST & YOUNG LLP 233 South Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 * "Interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. 37 Van Kampen Privacy Notice The Van Kampen companies and investment products* respect your right to privacy. We also know that you expect us to conduct and process your business in an accurate and efficient manner. To do so, we must collect and maintain certain nonpublic personal information about you. This is information we collect from you on applications or other forms, and from the transactions you make with us, our affiliates, or third parties. We may also collect information you provide when using our web site, and text files (a.k.a. "cookies") may be placed on your computer to help us to recognize you and to facilitate transactions you initiate. We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about you or any of our former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law. For instance, so that we may continue to offer you Van Kampen investment products and services that meet your investing needs, and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect to companies that perform services on our behalf, such as printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials. These companies will use this information only for the services for which we hired them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose. To protect your nonpublic personal information internally, we permit access to it only by authorized employees, and maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your nonpublic personal information. * Includes Van Kampen Investments Inc., Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp., Van Kampen Asset Management Inc., Van Kampen Advisors Inc., Van Kampen Management Inc., Van Kampen Funds Inc., Van Kampen Investor Services Inc., Van Kampen Trust Company, Van Kampen System Inc. and Van Kampen Exchange Corp., as well as the many Van Kampen mutual funds and Van Kampen unit investment trusts. Van Kampen Funds Inc. 1 Parkview Plaza, P.O. Box 5555 Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5555 vankampen.com [VAN KAMPEN INVESTMENTS LOGO] Copyright (C)2002 Van Kampen Funds Inc. All rights reserved. 28, 128, 228 Member NASD/SIPC. HYI SAR 4/02 5534D02-AP-4/02