<PAGE> 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Letter to Shareholders........................... 1
A Farewell from the Chairman..................... 6
Glossary of Terms................................ 7
Performance Results.............................. 9
Portfolio of Investments......................... 10
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.............. 16
Statement of Operations.......................... 17
Statement of Changes in Net Assets............... 18
Financial Highlights............................. 19
Notes to Financial Statements.................... 20
Report of Independent Accountants................ 26
Dividend Reinvestment Plan....................... 27
</TABLE>
VOT ANR 12/98
<PAGE> 2
LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS
November 20, 1998
Dear Shareholder,
The past decade has been a
remarkable time for investors.
Together, we've witnessed one of the
greatest bull markets in investment
history, unprecedented growth in mutual [PHOTO]
fund investing, and a surge in personal
retirement planning. The coming
millennium promises to hold even more DENNIS J. MCDONNELL AND DON G. POWELL
challenges and opportunities.
To lead us into this new era of
investing, we are proud to announce
that Richard F. Powers III has joined
Van Kampen as President and Chief Executive Officer, and will assume the
additional role of Chairman of Van Kampen in 1999. He comes to us from our
parent company, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter & Co., where he served as Executive
Vice President and Director of Marketing. Dick Powers brings 27 years of
experience in the financial services industry, including vast expertise in
product management, strategic planning and brand development. While at Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter, he developed many of the firm's core products and services.
You'll hear more from Dick Powers in the coming months as he becomes
increasingly involved in matters related to your Trust and joins Dennis
McDonnell in addressing shareholders in future reports. (See Don Powell's
farewell to shareholders on page 6.)
ECONOMIC OVERVIEW
After two years of solid gains, the U.S. economy began to lose some of its
luster during the reporting period. No longer immune to the global economic
turmoil, the economy retreated from a 5.5 percent annual growth rate in the
first quarter to a tepid 1.8 percent in the second quarter (as measured by gross
domestic product). By the third quarter, however, growth rebounded to a 3.3
percent annual rate.
A strong dollar was largely responsible for moderating economic growth. As
the Asian financial crisis worsened and spread to other regions, foreign
investors amassed dollar-denominated U.S. Treasury bonds. These purchases sent
the dollar sharply higher, which increased the price of U.S. exports and slashed
the price of imports--resulting in reduced demand for U.S. goods and services
abroad. In light of the reduced demand and global economic problems, corporate
earnings fell, business investment declined, and stock prices plummeted. By the
end of August, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 19 percent from its
record high, set in mid-July. Although the stock market has since recovered much
of its losses, consumer confidence has declined and growth in consumer spending
has slowed.
Concerns about further economic deterioration, weakness in the stock market,
and a potential credit crunch prompted the Federal Reserve Board to cut
short-term interest rates
Continued on page 2
1
<PAGE> 3
0.25 percent in late September. It was the first rate cut in almost three years
and was followed by additional cuts of 0.25 percent in October and November.
Despite these rate cuts, the Fed took care to note that inflation was well
contained.
MARKET OVERVIEW
The volatility in overseas markets and U.S. stocks was a boon to bonds.
Foreign investors bought U.S. Treasury bonds in an attempt to escape the global
turmoil, while domestic investors purchased them to avoid further losses in U.S.
stocks. Because these purchases occurred at a time when the supply of new
Treasury issues was declining, Treasury bond prices soared.
The Fed rate cuts propelled bond prices even higher. Following the Fed's
first rate cut, the yield on the 30-year Treasury bond, which moves in the
opposite direction of its price, dropped to a record low of 4.72 percent on
October 5. However, subsequent sales of Treasuries by Asian and institutional
investors dampened the rally. As of October 31, the 30-year Treasury bond had a
5.15 percent yield, down 1 percent from a year ago.
Municipal bond prices followed Treasuries higher, but, as usual, they didn't
gain nearly as much in price. The yield on a typical AAA-rated general
obligation municipal bond fell only 32 basis points to 4.80 percent as of
October 31, from 5.12 percent a year earlier. Earlier in October, municipal bond
yields topped comparable Treasury bond yields, which is a rare event. Municipal
bonds generally yield less than Treasury securities because their interest
payments are exempt from federal and sometimes state and local income taxes.
During the past year, municipal bonds were burdened by an excess of supply
relative to demand. State and local governments, taking advantage of the
market's low interest rates, issued $230.9 billion worth of long-term bonds
during the first 10 months of the year--34 percent more than they had issued
during the same period last year. Approximately 44 percent of the new issues
were refinancings of older, higher-yielding bonds. However, new issuance slowed
recently as the number of bonds eligible for refinancing shrank.
Despite an abundant supply, many investors were reluctant to purchase
municipal bonds because of their generally low yields. Compounding the situation
was the abundance of insured issues, which accounted for almost 60 percent of
the new supply. The dominance of insured bonds reduced the supply of
lower-rated, higher-yielding bonds and narrowed the yield spread between higher-
and lower-rated bonds. (The insurance relates to the timely payment of principal
and interest, when due, on the bonds. The insurance does not protect the bonds
from market risk.)
Continued on page 3
2
<PAGE> 4
[CREDIT QUALITY PIE CHART]
Portfolio Composition By Credit Quality*
As Of October 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
AAA............... 60.0%
AA................ 14.6%
A................. 11.9%
BBB............... 12.6%
B................. 0.9%
</TABLE>
*As a Percentage of Long-Term Investments
Based upon the highest credit quality ratings as issued by Standard & Poor's
or Moody's.
TRUST STRATEGY
We used the following strategies to manage the Trust during the period:
We maintained a portfolio consisting primarily of high-quality bonds with a
heavy emphasis on AAA-rated securities. As of October 31, 60 percent of
long-term investments were invested in AAA-rated bonds. Under current market
conditions, the yield spread between higher- and lower-rated bonds is modest,
and we believe that investors are not adequately compensated for the additional
credit risk associated with lower-rated securities. Also, higher-rated bonds
have generally performed better than lower-rated securities when interest rates
are falling, which was the case for most of the reporting period. We had little
difficulty finding suitable AAA-rated issues for the portfolio, due to an
abundance of new insured bonds.
Overall, we made a limited number of purchases and sales during the past
year, because current market yields were lower than the yields provided by most
of the Trust's holdings. Our acquisitions favored long-term insured bonds
because they offer the most potential for price appreciation if interest rates
continue to fall. Meanwhile, we sold a number of bonds that were vulnerable to
being called from the portfolio. Also, we sold several bonds issued by states we
believed were overvalued and used the proceeds to purchase bonds from
undervalued states. Prerefundings contributed to the Trust's total return, as
several bonds in the portfolio enjoyed upward price movement when they were
prerefunded. Keep in mind, however, that past performance does not guarantee
future results.
As of October 31, the duration of the Trust was 6.92 years compared with
7.72 years for the Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index. Because of the
longer-term nature of the Trust, the calculation of the index's duration has
been adjusted to eliminate bonds with maturities of five years or less.
Continued on page 4
3
<PAGE> 5
Top Five Portfolio Sectors as of October 31, 1998*
Health Care.............................19.7%
Retail Electric/Gas/Telephone...........12.4%
Single-Family Housing...................10.9%
General Purpose.........................10.3%
Industrial Revenue...................... 9.9%
*As a Percentage of Long-Term
Investments
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
For the one-year period ended October 31, 1998, the Trust generated a total
return of 17.23 percent.(1) This reflects a gain in market price per common
share from $12.6875 on October 31, 1997, to $14.0625 on October 31, 1998, plus
reinvestment of all dividends. The Trust had a tax-exempt distribution rate of
5.55 percent,(3) based on the closing price of its common shares. Because income
from the Trust is exempt from federal income taxes, this distribution rate is
equivalent to a yield of 8.67 percent(4) on a taxable investment for investors
in the 36 percent federal income tax bracket. Please refer to the chart on page
9 for additional performance numbers.
[Distribution History Graph]
----------------------------
Twelve-Month Dividend History
For The Period Ended October 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Distribution per Common Share
<S> <C>
Nov. 97......................................... $ 0.0625
Dec. 97......................................... $ 0.0650
Jan. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Feb. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Mar. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Apr. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
May. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Jun. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Jul. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Aug. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Sep. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
Oct. 98......................................... $ 0.0650
</TABLE>
The dividend history represents past performance of the Trust and does not
predict the Trust's future distributions.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
We believe the economy will continue to grow at a moderate rate for the
remainder of the year, supported by low interest rates. The housing industry has
already benefited from the sharp decline in interest rates, and other sectors
could follow if consumer and business spending picks up.
Looking ahead into next year, we see the potential for stronger economic
growth as long as domestic interest rates remain low and the global financial
crisis stabilizes. We believe the current low inflationary environment in the
United States paves the way for further Fed rate cuts if the economy resumes its
slowdown.
Continued on page 5
4
<PAGE> 6
Overseas, we see some promising signs of recovery, including Japan's new
bank reform package, which includes a willingness to let problem banks fail, and
approval of an International Monetary Fund rescue package for Brazil.
We will closely monitor these global and domestic events and their effects
on the performance of the Trust, adjusting the portfolio when appropriate. We
remain committed to the goal of providing a high level of tax-exempt income
while preserving shareholders' capital. Thank you for your continued support and
confidence in Van Kampen and the management of your Trust.
Sincerely,
[SIG]
Don G. Powell
Chairman
Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.
[SIG]
Dennis J. McDonnell
President
Van Kampen Investment Advisory Corp.
Please see footnotes on page 9
5
<PAGE> 7
A FAREWELL FROM THE CHAIRMAN
----- - ------
Dear Shareholder,
Since I became president and chief executive officer in 1987, much has
changed in our business. However, one thing has remained constant through these
years--my commitment to you, the trust shareholder. Through the many events at
Van Kampen that have marked the passage of time--including several mergers,
company name changes, and leadership changes--we have always focused on
providing superior investments and the highest level of customer service to help
you meet your investment objectives. I'm proud to say that during my tenure, Van
Kampen won eight consecutive awards for high-quality customer service--more
consecutive service awards than any other firm in the financial services
industry.(1) My successor, Dick Powers, shares this commitment to meeting your
needs and providing innovative and efficient ways to help you work with your
investment adviser to reach your financial goals.
Although my official retirement begins on January 1, 1999, I will remain
active in the industry and the community. I plan to continue my service as a
member of the board of directors of the Investment Company Institute, the
leading mutual fund industry association, and I will remain a trustee of your
Trust.
In closing, I want to say farewell to all of you. Thank you for your support
of Van Kampen over the years and for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
Best wishes,
[SIG]
Don G. Powell
----- - ------
(1)American Capital, which merged with Van Kampen in 1995, received the DALBAR
Service Award annually from 1990 to 1994. The award was called the Quality
Tested Service Seal until 1997.
6
<PAGE> 8
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BASIS POINT: A measure used in quoting bond yields. One hundred basis points is
equal to 1 percent. For example, if a bond's yield changes from 7.00 to 6.65
percent, it is a 35 basis-point move.
CALL FEATURE: Allows the issuer to buy back a bond on specific dates at set
prices before maturity. These dates and prices are set when the bond is
issued. To compensate the bondholder for the potential loss of income and
ownership, a bond's call price is usually higher than the face value of the
bond. Bonds are usually called when interest rates drop so significantly
that the issuer can save money by issuing new bonds at lower rates.
COUPON RATE: The stated rate of interest the bond pays on an annual basis,
expressed as a percentage of the face value.
CREDIT RATING: An evaluation of an issuer's credit history and capability of
repaying obligations. Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Service are
two companies that assign bond 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.
DISCOUNT BOND: A bond whose market price is lower than its face value (or "par
value"). Because bonds usually mature at face value, a discount bond has
more potential to appreciate in price than a par bond does.
DURATION: A measure of the sensitivity of a bond's price to changes in interest
rates, expressed in years. Each year of duration represents an expected 1
percent change in the price of a bond for every 1 percent change in interest
rates. The longer a bond's duration, the greater the effect of interest rate
movements on net asset value. Typically, funds with shorter durations are
expected to perform better in rising rate environments, while funds with
longer durations are expected to perform better when rates decline.
FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD (THE FED): The governing body of the Federal Reserve
System, which is the central bank system of the United States. Its
policy-making committee, called the Federal Open Market Committee, meets
eight times a year to establish monetary policy and monitor the economic
pulse of the United States.
INFLATION: A persistent and measurable rise in the general level of prices.
Inflation is widely measured by the Consumer Price Index, an economic
indicator that measures the change in the cost of purchased goods and
services.
INSURED BOND: A bond that is insured against default by the bond insurer. If the
issuer defaults, the insurance company will step in and take over payments
of interest and principal when due. Once a bond is insured, it typically
carries the rating of the insurer. Most insurers are rated AAA.
7
<PAGE> 9
MUNICIPAL BOND: A debt security issued by a state, municipality, or other
government entity to finance capital expenditures of public projects, such
as the construction of highways, public works, or school buildings. Interest
on public-purpose municipal bonds is exempt from federal income taxes and,
potentially, from state and local income taxes.
NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): The value of a trust share, calculated by deducting a
trust's liabilities from the total assets applicable to common shareholders
in its portfolio and dividing this amount by the number of common shares
outstanding.
PREREFUNDING: The process of issuing new bonds to refinance an outstanding
municipal bond issue prior to its maturity or call date. The proceeds from
the new bonds are generally invested in U.S. government securities.
Prerefunding typically occurs when interest rates decline and an issuer
replaces its higher-yielding bonds with current lower-yielding issues.
PREMIUM BOND: A bond whose market price is above its face value (or "par
value"). Because bonds usually mature at face value, a premium bond has less
potential to appreciate in price than a par bond does.
YIELD SPREAD: The additional yield investors can earn by either investing in
bonds with longer maturities or by investing in bonds with lower ratings.
The spread is the difference in yield between bonds with short versus long
maturities or the difference in yield between high-quality bonds and
lower-quality bonds.
ZERO COUPON BONDS: A corporate or municipal bond that is traded at a deep
discount to face value and pays no interest. It may be redeemed at maturity
for full face value.
8
<PAGE> 10
PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1998
VAN KAMPEN MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST II
(NYSE TICKER SYMBOL--VOT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON SHARE TOTAL RETURNS
<S> <C>
One-year total return based on market price(1)............ 17.23%
One-year total return based on NAV(2)..................... 9.50%
DISTRIBUTION RATES
Distribution rate as a % of closing common stock
price(3)................................................. 5.55%
Taxable-equivalent distribution rate as a % of closing
common stock price(4)...................................... 8.67%
SHARE VALUATIONS
Net asset value........................................... $ 15.08
Closing common stock price................................ $14.0625
One-year high common stock price (10/07/98)............... $14.5000
One-year low common stock price (11/03/97)................ $12.5625
Preferred share (Series A) rate(5)........................ 3.30%
Preferred share (Series B) rate(5)........................ 3.19%
Preferred share (Series C) rate(5)........................ 3.30%
</TABLE>
(1)Total return based on market price assumes an investment at the 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 stock price at the end of the period
indicated.
(2)Total return based on net asset value (NAV) assumes an investment at the
beginning of the period indicated, reinvestment of all distributions for the
period, and sale of all shares at the end of the period, all at NAV.
(3)Distribution rate represents the monthly annualized distributions of the
Trust at the end of the period and not the earnings of the Trust.
(4)The taxable-equivalent distribution rate is calculated assuming a 36% federal
income tax bracket.
(5)See "Notes to Financial Statements" footnote #5, for more information
concerning Preferred Share reset periods.
A portion of the interest income may be taxable for those investors subject to
the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).
Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investment return, stock
price and net asset value will fluctuate with market conditions. Trust shares,
when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
9
<PAGE> 11
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
MUNICIPAL BONDS 99.6%
ALABAMA 0.4%
$ 1,000 Valley, AL Spl Care Fac Fin Auth Rev Lanier Mem
Hosp Ser A...................................... 5.600% 11/01/16 $ 1,018,090
------------
ALASKA 1.1%
3,000 North Slope Borough, AK Ser B (FSA Insd)........ 6.100 06/30/99 3,064,500
------------
ARIZONA 1.2%
3,100 Pima Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Indl Rev Lease Oblig
Irvington Proj Tucson Ser A Rfdg (FSA Insd)..... 7.250 07/15/10 3,467,939
------------
CALIFORNIA 12.9%
1,300 Anaheim, CA Pub Fin Auth Lease Rev Pub Impt Proj
Ser C (FSA Insd)................................ 6.000 09/01/16 1,496,989
4,600 California St Pub Wks Brd Lease Rev Var Univ CA
Proj A Rfdg..................................... 5.500 06/01/10 5,097,168
5,905 California St Pub Wks Brd Lease Rev Var Univ CA
Proj A Rfdg..................................... 5.500 06/01/14 6,460,306
2,000 Foothill/Eastern Tran Corridor Agy CA Toll Rd
Rev Ser A....................................... 6.500 01/01/32 2,244,220
2,000 Imperial Irrig Dist CA Ctfs Partn Elec Sys Proj
(Prerefunded @ 11/01/04) (MBIA Insd)............ 6.750 11/01/11 2,357,180
2,860 Los Angeles Cnty, CA Metro Tran Auth Sales Tax
Rev Ppty Ser A Rfdg (FGIC Insd)................. 5.000 07/01/21 2,860,401
11,500 Los Angeles, CA Dept Wtr & Pwr Elec Plant Rev
Crossover Rfdg (FGIC Insd) (b).................. 5.375 09/01/23 11,850,290
2,000 Orange Cnty, CA Recovery Ctfs Ser A (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 6.000 07/01/08 2,299,840
3,000 Southern CA Pub Pwr Auth Pwr Proj Rev San Juan
Unit 3 Ser A (MBIA Insd)........................ 5.000 01/01/20 3,004,830
------------
37,671,224
------------
COLORADO 4.8%
1,000 Arapahoe Cnty, CO Cap Impt Trust Fund Hwy Rev
E-470 Proj Ser B (Prerefunded @ 08/31/05)....... 7.000 08/31/26 1,202,990
7,500 Arapahoe Cnty, CO Cap Impt Trust Fund Hwy Rev
E-470 Proj Ser C (Prerefunded @ 08/31/05)....... * 08/31/26 1,184,175
1,600 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser A........... 6.900 11/15/98 1,602,256
1,250 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser A........... 7.000 11/15/99 1,293,838
2,650 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser B........... 7.250 11/15/05 2,970,729
895 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser B........... 7.250 11/15/07 1,001,550
105 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser B
(Prerefunded @ 11/15/02)........................ 7.250 11/15/07 120,674
1,500 Denver, CO City & Cnty Arpt Rev Ser D........... 7.750 11/15/13 1,919,100
2,500 E-470 Pub Hwy Auth CO Rev Cap Apprec Sr Ser B
(MBIA Insd)..................................... * 09/01/11 1,387,500
4,000 E-470 Pub Hwy Auth CO Rev Cap Apprec Sr Ser B
Rfdg (MBIA Insd)................................ * 09/01/22 1,197,880
------------
13,880,692
------------
CONNECTICUT 1.4%
3,835 Connecticut St Dev Auth Pkg Fac Hartford Hosp
Rev (MBIA Insd)................................. 6.875 10/01/06 3,979,695
------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
<PAGE> 12
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
FLORIDA 3.6%
$ 2,000 Dade Cnty, FL Genl Oblig Seaport Bonds
(Prerefunded @ 10/01/01) (AMBAC Insd)........... 6.500% 10/01/26 $ 2,180,520
1,050 Florida Hsg Fin Agy Single Family Mtg Ser A Rfdg
(GNMA Collateralized)........................... 6.550 07/01/14 1,130,535
2,000 Hillsborough Cnty, FL Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl
Rev Tampa Elec Co Proj Ser 92 Rfdg.............. 8.000 05/01/22 2,305,940
1,000 Jacksonville, FL Hosp Rev Univ Med Cent Inc Proj
(Connie Lee Insd)............................... 6.500 02/01/11 1,090,700
3,590 Pinellas Cnty, FL Hsg Fin Auth Single Family Mtg
Rev Multi Cnty Ser A (GNMA Collateralized)...... 6.650 08/01/21 3,882,118
------------
10,589,813
------------
GEORGIA 1.8%
2,000 Burke Cnty, GA Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev GA Pwr
Co Plant Vogtle Proj (MBIA Insd)................ 6.350 05/01/19 2,069,300
3,000 Muni Elec Auth GA Proj One Sub Ser A (AMBAC
Insd)........................................... 6.000 01/01/04 3,289,980
------------
5,359,280
------------
ILLINOIS 7.0%
3,365 Chicago, IL Cap Apprec (Prerefunded @ 07/01/05)
(AMBAC Insd).................................... * 01/01/17 1,225,769
4,860 Chicago, IL Single Family Mtg Rev Ser A (GNMA
Collateralized)................................. 7.000 09/01/27 5,451,899
1,415 Chicago, IL Single Family Mtg Rev Ser B (GNMA
Collateralized)................................. 7.625 09/01/27 1,627,024
3,000 Illinois Dev Fin Auth Solid Waste Disposal
Rev............................................. 5.950 12/01/24 3,344,490
4,305 Illinois Hlth Fac Auth Rev OSF Hlthcare Sys
Rfdg............................................ 6.000 11/15/10 4,705,623
1,000 Illinois Hlth Fac Auth Rev Ravenswood Hosp Med
Cent A Rfdg..................................... 8.800 06/01/06 1,013,210
2,575 Peoria, Moline & Freeport, IL Coll Mtg Ser A
(GNMA Collateralized)........................... 7.600 04/01/27 2,945,568
------------
20,313,583
------------
INDIANA 3.3%
1,165 Concord, IN Cmnty Schs Bldg Corp First Mtg
(Prerefunded @ 7/01/05) (FSA Insd).............. 7.000 07/01/11 1,382,284
4,000 East Chicago, IN Elementary Sch Bldg Corp First
Mtg Ser A....................................... 6.250 07/05/08 4,562,680
3,000 Indiana Hlth Fac Fin Auth Hosp Rev Columbus Regl
Hosp Rfdg (FSA Insd) (b)........................ 7.000 08/15/15 3,768,690
------------
9,713,654
------------
IOWA 0.4%
1,200 Ottumwa, IA Hosp Fac Rev Rfdg................... 6.000 10/01/18 1,257,048
------------
KENTUCKY 0.7%
2,000 Jefferson Cnty, KY Hlth Fac Rev (MBIA Insd)..... 5.125 10/01/27 1,987,960
------------
LOUISIANA 1.0%
2,800 Saint Charles Parish, LA Solid Waste Disp Rev LA
Pwr & Lt Co Proj (FSA Insd) (b)................. 7.050 04/01/22 3,039,932
------------
MAINE 0.8%
2,215 Maine St Hsg Auth Mtg Purp Ser C2............... 6.875 11/15/23 2,385,267
------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
<PAGE> 13
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
MARYLAND 0.4%
$ 1,000 Maryland St Cmnty Dev Admin Dept Hsg & Cmnty Dev
Ser C........................................... 5.550% 07/01/27 $ 1,030,790
------------
MASSACHUSETTS 2.7%
1,700 Massachusetts St Hlth & Edl Fac Auth Rev Cape
Cod Hlth Ser A-3 (Connie Lee Insd).............. 5.000 11/15/11 1,742,024
2,500 Massachusetts St Hlth & Edl Fac Auth Rev Saints
Mem Med Cent Ser A.............................. 6.000 10/01/23 2,526,600
3,335 Massachusetts St Hsg Fin Agy Hsg Rev Insd Rental
Ser A Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)......................... 6.600 07/01/14 3,611,271
------------
7,879,895
------------
MICHIGAN 2.9%
1,000 Battle Creek, MI Downtown Dev Auth Tax Increment
Rev (Prerefunded @ 05/01/04).................... 7.600 05/01/16 1,191,500
3,300 Michigan St Bldg Auth Rev (MBIA Insd)........... 6.250 10/01/20 3,563,736
1,000 Michigan St Hosp Fin Auth Rev Hosp Genesys Regl
Med Rfdg (ACA Insd)............................. 5.500 10/01/18 1,017,620
1,000 Michigan St Hosp Fin Auth Rev Hosp Genesys Regl
Med Rfdg (ACA Insd)............................. 5.500 10/01/27 1,014,300
1,500 Michigan St Hsg Dev Auth Multi-Family Rev Ltd
Oblig Ser A Rfdg (GNMA Collateralized).......... 6.600 04/01/30 1,619,490
------------
8,406,646
------------
MISSISSIPPI 0.5%
1,500 Claiborne Cnty, MS Pollutn Ctl Rev Sys Energy
Res Inc Rfdg.................................... 7.300 05/01/25 1,574,925
------------
MISSOURI 3.3%
4,500 Kansas City, MO Muni Assistance Corp Rev Rfdg
(MBIA Insd) (b)................................. 5.000 04/15/20 4,501,575
1,000 Missouri St Hlth & Edl Facs Auth Hlth Facs Rev
Lake of the Ozarks Genl Hosp Rfdg (FSA Insd).... 5.125 02/15/24 991,520
2,500 Missouri St Hlth & Edl Facs Auth Rev SSM
Hlthcare Ser A Rfdg (MBIA Insd)................. 5.000 06/01/18 2,495,250
1,500 Saint Louis Cnty, MO Mtg Rev Ctfs Receipt Ser H
(GNMA Collateralized)........................... 5.400 07/01/18 1,594,860
------------
9,583,205
------------
NEVADA 1.2%
2,970 Clark Cnty, NV Indl Dev Rev NV Pwr Co Proj Ser C
Rfdg (AMBAC Insd)............................... 7.200 10/01/22 3,346,745
------------
NEW JERSEY 4.0%
1,000 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Genl Hosp
Cent at Passaic (FSA Insd)...................... 6.000 07/01/06 1,129,850
1,750 New Jersey Hlthcare Fac Fin Auth Rev Hackensack
Med Cent (FGIC Insd)............................ 6.625 07/01/01 1,915,532
5,630 Salem Cnty, NJ Indl Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth Rev
Pollutn Ctl Pub Svc Elec & Gas Ser A (MBIA Insd)
(b)............................................. 5.450 02/01/32 5,749,469
2,500 Secaucus, NJ Muni Util Auth Swr Rev Ser A
Rfdg............................................ 6.000 12/01/08 2,798,275
------------
11,593,126
------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
12
<PAGE> 14
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
NEW YORK 12.1%
$ 2,000 Long Island Pwr Auth New York Electric General
(a)............................................. 5.000% 04/01/08 $ 2,111,400
1,485 New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr & Swr Sys
Rev Ser A....................................... 7.000 06/15/09 1,620,699
1,515 New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr & Swr Sys
Rev Ser A (Prerefunded @ 06/15/01).............. 7.000 06/15/09 1,655,244
2,500 New York City Ser A............................. 7.000 08/01/04 2,865,925
1,800 New York City Ser E Rfdg........................ 6.600 08/01/03 2,001,096
1,000 New York St Dorm Auth Rev City Univ Third Genl
Res Ser 2 (Prerefunded @ 07/01/04) (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 6.250 07/01/19 1,119,780
3,000 New York St Dorm Auth Rev Cons City Univ Sys Ser
A Rfdg.......................................... 6.000 07/01/06 3,335,160
1,520 New York St Dorm Auth Rev Insd John T Mather Mem
Hosp (Connie Lee Insd).......................... 6.500 07/01/09 1,794,345
2,545 New York St Dorm Auth Rev Secured Hosp New York
Downtown Rfdg................................... 5.200 02/15/14 2,605,749
970 New York St Energy Research & Dev Auth St
Service Contract Rev............................ 5.750 04/01/03 1,039,122
835 New York St Energy Research & Dev Auth St
Service Contract Rev............................ 5.400 04/01/04 888,290
500 New York St Energy Research & Dev Auth St
Service Contract Rev............................ 5.500 04/01/05 536,950
500 New York St Energy Research & Dev Auth St
Service Contract Rev............................ 5.500 04/01/06 538,575
1,500 New York St Loc Govt Assistance Corp Ser A
(Prerefunded @ 4/01/02)......................... 6.875 04/01/19 1,679,085
1,375 New York St Med Care Fac Fin Agy Rev Mental Hlth
Svcs Fac Impt Ser D (MBIA Insd)................. 5.900 02/15/10 1,518,577
2,000 New York St Urban Dev Corp Rev Correctional Fac
Ser A Rfdg...................................... 5.500 01/01/16 2,054,020
3,950 New York, NY Ser A1............................. 6.375 08/01/10 4,454,020
1,050 New York, NY Ser A1 (Prerefunded @ 08/01/05).... 6.375 08/01/10 1,206,608
2,000 New York, NY Ser B1 (Prerefunded @ 08/15/04)
(MBIA Insd)..................................... 6.950 08/15/12 2,331,260
------------
35,355,905
------------
NORTH CAROLINA 1.1%
3,000 Martin Cnty, NC Indl Fac & Pollutn Ctl Fin Auth
Rev Solid Waste Weyerhaeuser Co................. 5.650 12/01/23 3,055,890
------------
OHIO 3.6%
2,000 Franklin Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Holy Cross Hlth Sys
Ser B Rfdg (MBIA Insd).......................... 5.250 06/01/08 2,116,500
1,040 Lorain Cnty, OH Hosp Rev EMH Regl Med Cent Rfdg
(AMBAC Insd).................................... 7.750 11/01/13 1,260,896
2,395 Lucas Cnty, OH Hosp Rev Impt Saint Vincent Med
Cent (MBIA Insd)................................ 6.625 08/15/22 2,656,534
2,000 Ohio St Wtr Dev Auth Solid Waste Disp Rev....... 6.300 09/01/20 2,204,920
1,000 Rocky River, OH City Sch Dist................... 5.375 12/01/17 1,069,350
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
13
<PAGE> 15
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
OHIO (CONTINUED)
$ 1,065 Strongsville, OH................................ 6.700% 12/01/11 $ 1,255,081
------------
10,563,281
------------
OKLAHOMA 2.7%
2,250 Shawnee, OK Hosp Auth Hosp Rev Midamerica
Hlthcare Inc Rfdg............................... 6.125 10/01/14 2,365,537
2,960 Tulsa, OK Indl Auth Hosp Rev Hillcrest Med Cent
Proj Rfdg (Connie Lee Insd)..................... 6.250 06/01/07 3,374,045
1,975 Tulsa, OK Muni Arpt Tran Rev American Airls
Inc............................................. 7.375 12/01/20 2,114,139
------------
7,853,721
------------
OREGON 0.9%
2,500 Oregon St Vets Welfare Ser 76A.................. 6.050 10/01/28 2,674,550
------------
PENNSYLVANIA 8.7%
2,000 Cumberland Cnty, PA Muni Auth Rev First Mtg
Carlisle
Hosp & Hlth..................................... 6.800 11/15/23 2,191,720
5,780 Erie, PA Sch Dist Cap Apprec Rfdg (FSA Insd).... * 09/01/20 1,920,521
1,500 Pennsylvania Econ Dev Fin Auth Res Recovery Rev
Colver Proj Ser D............................... 7.050 12/01/10 1,666,710
1,000 Pennsylvania Hsg Fin Agy Single Family Mtg Ser
43.............................................. 7.500 10/01/25 1,095,180
4,000 Pennsylvania Hsg Fin Agy Single Family Ser
56A............................................. 6.150 10/01/27 4,252,880
1,600 Pennsylvania St Higher Edl Fac Auth Rev Med
College PA Ser A (Prerefunded @ 03/01/01)....... 7.250 03/01/11 1,758,752
2,635 Philadelphia, PA (MBIA Insd).................... 5.000 05/15/25 2,602,510
7,500 Philadelphia, PA Gas Wks Rev Ser 14 Rfdg (FSA
Insd)........................................... 6.250 07/01/08 8,343,225
1,315 State Pub Sch Bldg Auth PA Sch Rev Burgettstown
Sch Dist Ser D (Prerefunded @ 02/01/05) (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 6.450 02/01/10 1,494,300
------------
25,325,798
------------
TENNESSEE 1.6%
2,500 Harpeth Vly Utils Dist TN Davidson & Williamson
Cntys Rev (MBIA Insd)........................... 5.250 09/01/17 2,554,750
1,835 Tennessee Hsg Dev Agy Mtg Fin Ser A............. 7.125 07/01/26 1,979,231
------------
4,533,981
------------
TEXAS 2.2%
1,000 Harris Cnty Houston TX Sports Auth Spl Rev Ser A
(MBIA Insd)..................................... 5.000 11/15/25 983,230
2,000 Harris Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev
Hermann Hosp Proj (Prerefunded @ 10/01/04) (MBIA
Insd)........................................... 6.375 10/01/24 2,271,260
2,840 Harris Cnty, TX Toll Rd Sub Lien Rev Rfdg....... 6.750 08/01/14 3,106,051
------------
6,360,541
------------
UTAH 0.9%
1,050 Intermountain Pwr Agy UT Pwr Supply Rev Ser B... 7.000 07/01/21 1,095,885
1,425 Utah St Hsg Fin Agy Single Family Mtg Sr Issue
Ser B-2 (FHA Insd).............................. 6.500 07/01/15 1,532,146
------------
2,628,031
------------
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
14
<PAGE> 16
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Par
Amount
(000) Description Coupon Maturity Market Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C>
VIRGINIA 3.5%
$ 1,250 Fredericksburg, VA Indl Dev Auth Hosp Fac Rev
(Prerefunded @ 08/15/01) (FGIC Insd) (b)........ 6.600% 08/15/23 $ 1,367,438
1,500 Henrico Cnty, VA Indl Dev Auth Pub Fac Lease Rev
Henrico Cnty Regl Jail Proj..................... 6.500 08/01/10 1,719,735
2,000 Loudoun Cnty, VA Ctfs Partn (FSA Insd) (b)...... 6.900 03/01/19 2,273,720
3,680 Virginia St Hsg Dev Auth Comwlth Mtg Ser C...... 6.250 07/01/11 3,877,027
1,000 Virginia St Hsg Dev Auth Multi-Family Ser E
Rfdg............................................ 5.900 11/01/17 1,047,210
------------
10,285,130
------------
WEST VIRGINIA 2.3%
735 Harrison Cnty, WV Cnty Cmnty Solid Waste Disp
Rev West PA Pwr Co Ser C (AMBAC Insd)........... 6.750 08/01/24 831,917
3,000 Marshall Cnty, WV Pollutn Ctl Rev OH Pwr Co Proj
Ser C Rfdg (MBIA Insd).......................... 6.850 06/01/22 3,320,550
2,215 West Virginia St Wtr Dev Auth Wtr Dev Rev Ln Pgm
II Ser A (Prerefunded @ 11/01/04) (FSA Insd).... 6.750 11/01/33 2,585,747
------------
6,738,214
------------
WISCONSIN 1.3%
2,490 Wisconsin St Hlth & Edl Fac Auth Rev Bellin Mem
Hosp (AMBAC Insd)............................... 6.625 02/15/08 2,930,456
1,000 Wisconsin St Hlth & Edl Facs Auth Rev Marquette
Univ (MBIA Insd) (a)............................ 4.750 06/01/23 951,900
------------
3,882,356
------------
PUERTO RICO 3.3%
8,000 Puerto Rico Comwlth Hwy & Tran Auth Hwy Rev Ser
Y Rfdg (Embedded Cap) (FSA Insd)................ 5.730 07/01/21 9,521,440
------------
TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS 99.6%
(Cost $264,423,608)......................................................... 289,922,847
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 0.0%
(Cost $100,000)............................................................. 100,000
------------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS 99.6%
(Cost $264,523,608)......................................................... 290,022,847
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES 0.4%................................... 1,085,024
------------
NET ASSETS 100.0%............................................................ $291,107,871
============
</TABLE>
*Zero coupon bond
(a) Securities purchased on a when issued or delayed delivery basis.
(b) Assets segregated as collateral for when issued or delayed delivery purchase
commitments and open option transactions.
See Notes to Financial Statements
15
<PAGE> 17
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS:
Total Investments (Cost $264,523,608)....................... $290,022,847
Cash........................................................ 141,744
Receivables:
Interest.................................................. 4,577,322
Investments Sold.......................................... 172,785
Other....................................................... 1,442
------------
Total Assets.......................................... 294,916,140
------------
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Investments Purchased..................................... 3,199,179
Investment Advisory Fee................................... 161,364
Income Distributions--Common and Preferred Shares......... 85,846
Administrative Fee........................................ 49,651
Options at Market Value (Net premiums received of
$61,690)................................................ 39,063
Affiliates................................................ 17,657
Accrued Expenses............................................ 165,659
Trustees' Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans........ 89,850
------------
Total Liabilities..................................... 3,808,269
------------
NET ASSETS.................................................. $291,107,871
============
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Preferred Shares ($.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000
shares, 2,300 issued with liquidation preference of
$50,000 per share)........................................ $115,000,000
------------
Common Shares ($.01 par value with an unlimited number of
shares authorized, 11,681,272 shares issued and
outstanding).............................................. 116,813
Paid in Surplus............................................. 172,387,137
Net Unrealized Appreciation................................. 25,521,866
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income............. 1,112,400
Accumulated Net Realized Loss............................... (23,030,345)
------------
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares................ 176,107,871
------------
NET ASSETS.................................................. $291,107,871
============
NET ASSET VALUE PER COMMON SHARE ($176,107,871 divided
by 11,681,272 shares outstanding)......................... $ 15.08
============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
16
<PAGE> 18
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest.................................................... $16,173,537
-----------
EXPENSES:
Investment Advisory Fee..................................... 1,872,662
Administrative Fee.......................................... 576,204
Preferred Share Maintenance................................. 357,797
Trustees' Fees and Expenses................................. 25,979
Custody..................................................... 19,808
Legal....................................................... 13,382
Amortization of Organizational Costs........................ 5,147
Other....................................................... 236,483
-----------
Total Expenses.......................................... 3,107,462
-----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME....................................... $13,066,075
===========
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/LOSS:
Realized Gain/Loss:
Investments............................................. $ 474,096
Options................................................. 49,341
Futures................................................. (189,221)
-----------
Net Realized Gain....................................... 334,216
-----------
Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation:
Beginning of the Period................................... 19,172,681
-----------
End of the Period:
Investments............................................. 25,499,239
Options................................................. 22,627
-----------
25,521,866
-----------
Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period............... 6,349,185
-----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN............................ $ 6,683,401
===========
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS.................. $19,749,476
===========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
17
<PAGE> 19
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
For the Years Ended October 31, 1998 and 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended Year Ended
October 31, 1998 October 31, 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
Operations:
Net Investment Income.................................. $ 13,066,075 $ 13,200,083
Net Realized Gain/Loss................................. 334,216 (474,170)
Net Unrealized Appreciation During the Period.......... 6,349,185 7,491,605
------------ ------------
Change in Net Assets from Operations................... 19,749,476 20,217,518
------------ ------------
Distributions from Net Investment Income:
Common Shares........................................ (9,081,893) (8,760,706)
Preferred Shares..................................... (4,055,598) (4,067,268)
------------ ------------
Total Distributions.................................... (13,137,491) (12,827,974)
------------ ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES.... 6,611,985 7,389,544
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of the Period................................ 284,495,886 277,106,342
------------ ------------
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed
net investment income of $1,112,400 and $1,183,816,
respectively)........................................ $291,107,871 $284,495,886
============ ============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements
18
<PAGE> 20
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following schedule presents financial highlights for one common share of
the Trust outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 25, 1993
(Commencement
Year Ended October 31 of Investment
------------------------------------------------- Operations) to
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 October 31, 1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of the Period (a)...... $14.510 $13.877 $13.717 $12.201 $15.584 $14.766
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Investment Income.......... 1.119 1.130 1.140 1.149 1.108 .312
Net Realized and Unrealized
Gain/Loss.................... .572 .601 .119 1.548 (3.276) .710
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total from Investment
Operations..................... 1.691 1.731 1.259 2.697 (2.168) 1.022
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
Less:
Distributions from Net
Investment Income:
Paid to Common
Shareholders............... .778 .750 .750 .795 .900 .150
Common Share Equivalent of
Distributions Paid to
Preferred Shareholders..... .347 .348 .349 .386 .256 .054
Distributions from Net Realized
Gain:
Paid to Common
Shareholders............... -0- -0- -0- -0- .049 -0-
Common Share Equivalent of
Distributions Paid to
Preferred Shareholders..... -0- -0- -0- -0- .010 -0-
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total Distributions.............. 1.125 1.098 1.099 1.181 1.215 .204
-------- -------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net Asset Value, End of the
Period......................... $15.076 $14.510 $13.877 $13.717 $12.201 $15.584
======== ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
Market Price Per Share at End of
the Period..................... $14.0625 $12.6875 $11.625 $11.375 $10.500 $15.000
Total Investment Return at Market
Price (b)...................... 17.23% 16.02% 8.98% 16.07% (24.59%) 1.01%*
Total Return at Net Asset Value
(c)............................ 9.50% 10.24% 6.82% 19.54% (16.14%) 4.87%*
Net Assets at End of the Period
(In millions).................. $291.1 $284.5 $277.1 $275.2 $257.5 $ 297.0
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net
Assets Applicable to Common
Shares**....................... 1.79% 1.83% 1.90% 1.94% 1.82% 1.59%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to
Average Net Assets Applicable
to Common Shares (d)........... 5.20% 5.56% 5.77% 5.88% 6.11% 4.76%
Portfolio Turnover............... 13% 23% 37% 58% 115% 55%*
* Non-Annualized
** Ratio of Expenses to Average
Net Assets Including Preferred
Shares........................ 1.08% 1.08% 1.10% 1.10% 1.06% 1.11%
</TABLE>
(a) Net Asset Value at June 25, 1993, is adjusted for common and preferred share
offering costs of $.234 per common share.
(b) Total Investment Return at Market Price reflects the change in market value
of the common shares for the period indicated with reinvestment of dividends
in accordance with the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan.
(c) Total Return at Net Asset Value (NAV) reflects the change in value of the
Trust's assets with reinvestment of dividends based upon NAV.
(d) Net Investment Income is adjusted for the common share equivalent of
distributions paid to preferred shareholders.
See Notes to Financial Statements
19
<PAGE> 21
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust II, formerly known as Van Kampen American
Capital Municipal Opportunity Trust II, (the "Trust") is registered as a
diversified closed-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended. 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 intends to invest substantially all of its
assets in municipal securities rated investment grade at the time of investment.
The Trust commenced investment operations on June 25, 1993.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Trust in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles 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--Investments are stated at value using market quotations
or, if such valuations are not available, estimates obtained from yield data
relating to instruments or securities with similar characteristics 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.
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
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.
C. INVESTMENT INCOME--Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Bond
premium and original issue discount are amortized over the expected life of each
applicable security.
D. ORGANIZATIONAL COSTS--The Trust has reimbursed Van Kampen Funds Inc. or its
affiliates (collectively "Van Kampen") for costs incurred in connection with the
Trust's
20
<PAGE> 22
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
organization in the amount of $40,000. These costs were amortized on a straight
line basis over the 60 month period ended June 24, 1998.
E. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES--It is the Trust's policy to comply with the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment
companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its
shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
The Trust intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which
allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the
year of the loss and offset such losses against any future realized capital
gains. At October 31, 1998, the Trust had an accumulated capital loss
carryforward for tax purposes of $23,007,718 which will expire between October
31, 2002 and October 31, 2005. Net realized gains or losses differ for financial
reporting and tax purposes as a result of gains and losses recognized for tax
purposes on open option positions at October 31, 1998.
At October 31, 1998, for federal income tax purposes, cost of long- and
short-term investments is $264,523,608; the aggregate gross unrealized
appreciation is $25,586,017 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$86,778, resulting in net unrealized appreciation on long- and short-term
investments of $25,499,239.
F. 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, which are included as ordinary income for tax
purposes.
For the year ended October 31, 1998, 100% of the income distributions made
by the Trust were exempt from federal income taxes. In January, 1999, the Trust
will provide tax information to shareholders for the 1998 calendar year.
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Under the terms of the Trust's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen
Investment Advisory Corp. will provide investment advice and facilities to the
Trust for an annual fee payable monthly of .65% of the average net assets of the
Trust. In addition, the Trust will pay a monthly administrative fee to Van
Kampen, the Trust's Administrator, at an annual rate of .20% of the average net
assets of the Trust. The administrative services provided by the Administrator
include record keeping and reporting responsibilities with respect to the
Trust's portfolio and preferred shares and providing certain services to
shareholders.
21
<PAGE> 23
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the year ended October 31, 1998, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $6,700 representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Trust, of which a trustee of
the Trust is an affiliated person.
For the year ended October 31, 1998, the Trust recognized expenses of
approximately $99,000 representing Van Kampen's cost of providing accounting and
legal services to the Trust.
Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers and directors
of Van Kampen. The Trust does not compensate its officers or trustees who are
officers of Van Kampen.
The Trust provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its
trustees who are not officers of Van Kampen. Under the deferred compensation
plan, trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a
later date. Benefits under the retirement plan are payable 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.
At October 31, 1998, Van Kampen owned 6,700 common shares of the Trust.
3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
During the period, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments,
excluding short-term investments, were $39,121,492 and $37,132,792,
respectively.
4. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
A derivative financial instrument in very general terms refers to a security
whose value is "derived" from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate
or index.
The Trust has a variety of reasons to use derivative instruments, such as to
attempt to protect the Trust against possible changes in the market value of its
portfolio and to manage the portfolio's effective yield, maturity and duration.
All of the Trust's portfolio holdings, including derivative instruments, are
marked to market each day with the change in value reflected in the unrealized
appreciation/depreciation. Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is
recognized accordingly, except when exercising an option contract or taking
delivery of a security underlying a futures contract. In these instances the
recognition of gain or loss is postponed until the disposal of the security
underlying the option or futures contract.
Summarized below are the specific types of derivative financial instruments
used by the Trust.
22
<PAGE> 24
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. OPTION CONTRACTS--An option contract gives the buyer the right, but not the
obligation to buy (call) or sell (put) an underlying item at a fixed exercise
price during a specified period. These contracts are generally used by the Trust
to manage the portfolio's effective maturity and duration.
Transactions in options for the year ended October 31, 1998, were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRACTS PREMIUM
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding at October 31, 1997................... 0 $ 0
Options Written and Purchased (Net)............... 375 111,031
Options Expired (Net)............................. (275) (49,341)
---- --------
Outstanding at October 31, 1998................... 100 $ 61,690
==== ========
</TABLE>
The related futures contracts of the outstanding option transactions as of
October 31, 1998, and the description and market value is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXP. MARKET
MONTH/ VALUE
EXERCISE OF
CONTRACTS PRICE OPTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Municipal Bond Index Futures
Dec 1998--Written Puts (Current
Notional Value of $125,469 per
contract)....................... 100 Dec/121 $(39,063)
=== ========
</TABLE>
B. 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 futures on U.S. Treasury Bonds and the Municipal Bond
Index and typically closes the contract prior to the delivery date. These
contracts are generally used to manage the portfolio's effective maturity and
duration.
Upon entering into futures contracts, the Fund maintains, in a segregated
account with its custodian, securities with a value equal to its obligation
under the futures contracts. 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).
23
<PAGE> 25
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transactions in futures contracts, each with a par value of $100,000, for
the year ended October 31, 1998, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRACTS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Outstanding at October 31, 1997............................ 75
Futures Opened............................................. 80
Futures Closed............................................. (155)
----
Outstanding at October 31, 1998............................ 0
====
</TABLE>
C. INDEXED SECURITIES--These instruments are identified in the portfolio of
investments. The price of these securities may be more volatile than the price
of a comparable fixed rate security.
An Embedded Cap security includes a cap strike level such that the coupon
payment may be supplemented by cap payments if the floating rate index upon
which the cap is based rises above the strike level. The Trust invests in these
instruments as a hedge against a rise in the short-term interest rates which it
pays on the preferred shares.
5. PREFERRED SHARES
The Trust has outstanding 2,300 Auction Preferred Shares ("APS") in three
series. Series A and B each contain 800 shares while Series C contains 700
shares. Dividends are cumulative and the dividend rates are currently reset
every seven days through an auction process. The average rate in effect on
October 31, 1998 was 3.262%. During the year ended October 31, 1998, the rates
ranged from 2.000% to 5.000%.
The Trust pays annual fees equivalent to .25% of the preferred share
liquidation value for the remarketing efforts associated with the preferred
auctions. These fees are included as a component of Preferred Share Maintenance
expense.
The APS are redeemable at the option of the Trust in whole or in part at the
liquidation value of $50,000 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.
6. YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE (UNAUDITED)
Van Kampen utilizes a number of computer programs across its entire operation
relying on both internal software systems as well as external software systems
provided by third parties. In 1996 Van Kampen initiated a CountDown 2000 Project
to review both the internal systems and external vendor connections. The goal of
this project is to position its business to continue unaffected as a result of
the century change. At this time, there can be no assurance that the steps taken
will be sufficient to avoid any adverse impact to the
24
<PAGE> 26
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
October 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust but Van Kampen does not anticipate that the move to Year 2000 will have a
material impact on its ability to continue to provide the Trust with service at
current levels. In addition, it is possible that the securities markets in which
the Trust invests may be detrimentally affected by computer failures throughout
the financial services industry beginning January 1, 2000. Improperly
functioning trading systems may result in settlement problems and liquidity
issues.
25
<PAGE> 27
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Van Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust II:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van
Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust II (the "Trust"), including the portfolio of
investments, as of October 31, 1998, and the related statement of operations for
the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two
years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the
periods presented. These financial statements and financial highlights are the
responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our
audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of
October 31, 1998, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van
Kampen Municipal Opportunity Trust II as of October 31, 1998, the results of its
operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of
the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of
the periods presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Chicago, Illinois
December 1, 1998
26
<PAGE> 28
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
The Trust offers a dividend reinvestment plan (the "Plan") pursuant to which
Common Shareholders may elect to have dividends and capital gains distributions
reinvested in Common Shares of the Trust. The Trust declares dividends out of
net investment income, and will distribute annually net realized capital gains,
if any. Common Shareholders may join or withdraw from the Plan at any time.
If you decide to participate in the Plan, State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as your Plan Agent, will automatically invest your dividends and
capital gains distributions in Common Shares of the Trust for your account.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
If you wish to participate and your shares are held in your own name, call
1-800-341-2929 for more information and a Plan brochure. If your shares are held
in the name of a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, you should contact your
nominee to see if it would participate in the Plan on your behalf. If you wish
to participate in the Plan, but your brokerage firm, bank or nominee is unable
to participate on your behalf, you should request that your shares be re-
registered in your own name which will enable your participation in the Plan.
HOW THE PLAN WORKS
Participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in Common Shares valued on
the valuation date, generally at the lower of market price or net asset value,
except as specified below. The valuation date will be the dividend or
distribution payment date or, if that date is not a trading day on the national
securities exchange or market system on which the Common Shares are listed for
trading, the next preceding trading day. If the market price per Common Share on
the valuation date equals or exceeds net asset value per Common Share on that
date, the Trust will issue new Common Shares to participants valued at the
higher of net asset value or 95% of the market price on the valuation date. In
the foregoing situation, the Trust will not issue Common Shares under the Plan
below net asset value. If net asset value per Common Share on the valuation date
exceeds the market price per Common Share on that date, or if the Board of
Trustees should declare a dividend or capital gains distribution payable to the
Common Shareholders only in cash, participants in the Plan will be deemed to
have elected to receive Common Shares from the Trust valued at the market price
on that date. Accordingly, in this circumstance, the Plan Agent will, as agent
for the participants, buy the Trust's Common Shares in the open market for the
participants' accounts on or shortly after the payment date. If, before the Plan
Agent has completed its purchases, the market price exceeds the net asset value
per share of the Common Shares, the average per share purchase price paid by the
Plan Agent may exceed the net asset value of the Trust's Common Shares,
resulting in the acquisition of fewer Common Shares than if the dividend or
distribution had been paid in Common Shares issued by the Trust. All
reinvestments are in full and fractional Common Shares and are carried to three
decimal places.
Experience under the Plan may indicate that changes are desirable.
Accordingly, the Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as
applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the
changes sent to all Common Shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the
record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or
terminated by the Plan Agent by at least 90 days written notice to all Common
Shareholders of the Trust.
COSTS OF THE PLAN
The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and
distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a
pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan
Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends
and distributions. No other charges will be made to participants for reinvesting
dividends or capital gains distributions, except for certain brokerage
commissions, as described above.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
You will receive tax information annually for your personal records and to help
you prepare your federal income tax return. The automatic reinvestment of
dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax
which may be payable on dividends or distributions.
RIGHT TO WITHDRAW
Plan participants may withdraw at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or by
writing State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8200, Boston, MA
02266-8200. If you withdraw, you will receive, without charge, a share
certificate issued in your name for all full Common Shares credited to your
account under the Plan and a cash payment will be made for any fractional Common
Share credited to your account under the Plan. You may again elect to
participate in the Plan at any time by calling 1-800-341-2929 or writing to the
Trust at:
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
Attn: Closed-End Funds
2800 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056
27
<PAGE> 29
VAN KAMPEN MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST II
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
DAVID C. ARCH
ROD DAMMEYER
HOWARD J KERR
DENNIS J. MCDONNELL*--Chairman
STEVEN MULLER
THEODORE A. MYERS
DON G. POWELL*
HUGO F. SONNENSCHEIN
WAYNE W. WHALEN*
OFFICERS
DENNIS J. MCDONNELL*
President
RONALD A. NYBERG*
Vice President and Secretary
JOHN L. SULLIVAN*
Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
CURTIS W. MORELL*
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
TANYA M. LODEN*
Controller
PETER W. HEGEL*
EDWARD C. WOOD, III*
Vice Presidents
INVESTMENT ADVISER
VAN KAMPEN
INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
1 Parkview Plaza
P.O. Box 5555
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181-5555
CUSTODIAN AND
TRANSFER AGENT
STATE STREET BANK
AND TRUST COMPANY
225 Franklin Street
P.O. Box 1713
Boston, Massachusetts 02105
LEGAL COUNSEL
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Peat Marwick Plaza
303 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
* "Interested" persons of the Trust, as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940.
(C) Van Kampen Funds Inc., 1998 All rights reserved.
(SM) denotes a service mark of
Van Kampen Funds Inc.
28
<PAGE> 30
RESULTS OF SHAREHOLDER VOTES
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust was held on July 28, 1998, where
shareholders voted on the election of trustees and the selection of independent
public accountants.
1) With regard to the election of the following trustee by preferred
shareholders of the Trust:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
# OF SHARES
-------------------
IN FAVOR WITHHELD
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Rod Dammeyer........................................ 2,155 81
</TABLE>
2) With regard to the election of the following trustees by the common
shareholders of the Trust:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
# OF SHARES
---------------------
IN FAVOR WITHHELD
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Steven Muller.................................... 10,726,788 149,704
Wayne W. Whalen.................................. 10,734,657 141,835
</TABLE>
The other trustees of the Trust whose terms did not expire in 1998 are David C.
Arch, Howard J Kerr, Dennis J. McDonnell, Theodore A. Myers, Don G. Powell, and
Hugo F. Sonnenschein.
3) With regard to the ratification of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
public accountants for the Trust, 10,720,436 shares voted in favor of the
proposal, 34,080 shares voted against and 124,212 shares abstained.
29
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
<NUMBER> 11
<NAME> MUNI OPP TRUST II
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> OCT-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> NOV-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> OCT-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST> 264,523,608
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE> 290,022,847
<RECEIVABLES> 4,750,107
<ASSETS-OTHER> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS> 143,186
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 294,916,140
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES> 3,199,179
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT> 0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES> 609,090
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES> 3,808,269
<SENIOR-EQUITY> 115,000,000
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON> 172,503,950
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK> 11,681,272
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR> 11,681,272
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT> 1,112,400
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII> 0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS> (23,030,345)
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS> 0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC> 25,521,866
<NET-ASSETS> 291,107,871
<DIVIDEND-INCOME> 0
<INTEREST-INCOME> 16,173,537
<OTHER-INCOME> 0
<EXPENSES-NET> (3,107,462)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME> 13,066,075
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT> 334,216
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT> 6,349,185
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS> 19,749,476
<EQUALIZATION> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME> (13,137,491)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS> 0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD> 0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED> 0
<SHARES-REINVESTED> 0
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS> 6,611,985
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR> 1,183,816
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR> (23,364,561)
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR> 0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR> 0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES> 1,872,662
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 0
<GROSS-EXPENSE> 3,107,462
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS> 288,149,186
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN> 14.510
<PER-SHARE-NII> 1.119
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC> 0.572
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND> (1.125)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS> 0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL> 0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END> 15.076
<EXPENSE-RATIO> 1.79
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING> 0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE> 0
</TABLE>
