UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York		10036
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Randy Takian
522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 212-296-6990

Date of fiscal year end: October 31, 2009

Date of reporting period: April 30, 2009

 

 

Item 1 — Report to Shareholders

 

 

Welcome, Shareholder:

 

In this report, you’ll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities performed during the semiannual period. We will provide an overview of the market conditions, and discuss some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, this report includes the Trust’s financial statements and a list of Trust investments.

 

 

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Trust will achieve its investment objective. The Trust is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Trust will decline and, therefore, the value of the Trust’s shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Trust.

 

 

Income earned by certain securities in the portfolio may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).

 

Fund Report

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2009

 

Market Conditions

 

 

Although economic indicators remained weak at the end of the reporting period, most appeared to be showing signs of a possible bottom. First quarter 2009 gross domestic product declined 6.1 percent, which was marginally better than the fourth quarter 2008 decline of 6.3 percent. Overall, we believe broad economic stimulus, lower inventories, and easy capital conditions in both the consumer and business segments point to the potential for an upturn in the economy in the second half of 2009.

 

The municipal market posted its best year-to-date return in 2009 since 1995. Furthermore, it has done so with less volatility than has been seen in the taxable market. Yield spreads have tightened toward their historic averages, although spreads at the longer end of the municipal yield curve remain well above these averages. For the overall period, high-grade municipal bonds outpaced high-yield municipal issues although the high-yield sector did outperform in the latter months as investor risk appetite returned. In terms of issuance, year-to-date 2009 levels are almost half that of the same period last year, despite a pick-up in issuance over the third and fourth quarters of 2008.

 

California continues to struggle with a large budget deficit. Despite closing out a $40 billion budget shortfall in February, the state has amassed a new deficit and faces a major cash flow issue due to economic deterioration and sharp decline in tax receipts. In fact, the state is projecting that it will need to raise $13 billion in cash flow borrowing in the third quarter of this year.

 

Performance Analysis

 

 

For the six-month period ended April 30, 2009, the net asset value (NAV) of Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities (ICS) increased from $13.05 to $14.16 per share. Based on this change plus reinvestment of tax-free dividends totaling $0.31 per share, a short-term capital gain distribution of $0.002905 and a long-term capital gain distribution of $0.003764 per share, the Trust’s total NAV return was 11.37 percent. ICS’s value on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) moved from $12.55 to $12.90 per share during the same period. Based on this change plus reinvestment of dividends and distributions, the Trust’s total market return was 5.50 percent. ICS’s NYSE market price was at an 8.90 percent discount to its NAV. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Monthly dividends for the second quarter of 2009, declared in April, decreased from $0.0525 to $0.0475 per share. The dividend reflects the current level of the Trust’s net investment income. ICS’s level of undistributed net investment income was $0.039 per share on April 30, 2009 versus $0.051 per share six months earlier.¹

 

Due to the downgrades of many major municipal bond insurers, investors in the insured municipal market have been focused more on the underlying quality of the bond issuer than the insurer. The portfolio maintained an overall focus on higher-quality municipal securities throughout the period. This positioning, particularly overweight allocations to essential services sectors, enhanced returns during the period as the higher-quality segment of the market outperformed for the period.

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The longer-dated municipal bonds held in the portfolio were the primary detractors from the Trust’s performance during the period, as the steepening of the municipal yield curve led to the relative outperformance of shorter-dated bonds. Additionally, a rally in the Treasury market during the period resulted in the underperformance of the hedges we used to offset the interest rate risk imposed by holdings in longer-dated municipal issues.

 

The Trust’s procedure for reinvesting all dividends and distributions in common shares is through purchases in the open market. This method helps support the market value of the Trust’s shares. In addition, we would like to remind you that the Trustees have approved a share repurchase program whereby the Trust may, when appropriate, purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or net asset value, whichever is lower at the time of purchase.

 

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results, and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. Investment return, net asset value and common share market price will fluctuate and Trust shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Trust in the future.

 

¹ Income earned by certain securities in the portfolio may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).

 

 

Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Top five sectors and ratings allocations are as a percentage of total investments. Securities are classified by sectors that represent broad groupings of related industries. Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. Rating allocations based upon ratings as issued by Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s, respectively.

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For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

 

 

Each Morgan Stanley trust provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the trust’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual reports and the annual reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semiannual and annual reports to trust shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley trust also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the trust’s first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC’s public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington,
DC 20549-0102.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio of Investments - April 30, 2009 (unaudited)

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio of Investments - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio of Investments - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

7

Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio of Investments - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio of Investments - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

Futures Contracts Open at April 30, 2009:

 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

April 30, 2009 (unaudited)

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Financial Statements continued

 

Statement of Operations

For the six months ended April 30, 2009 (unaudited)

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Financial Statements continued

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Trust’s investment objective is to provide current income which is exempt from both federal and California income taxes. The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 14, 1993 and commenced operations on February 28, 1994.

 

The Trust may be affected by economic and political developments in the State of California.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

 

A. Valuation of Investments — (1) portfolio securities are valued by an outside independent pricing service approved by the Trustees. The pricing service uses both a computerized grid matrix of tax-exempt securities and evaluations by its staff, in each case based on information concerning market transactions and quotations from dealers which reflect the mean between the last reported bid and asked price. The portfolio securities are thus valued by reference to a combination of transactions and quotations for the same or other securities believed to be comparable in quality, coupon, maturity, type of issue, call provisions, trading characteristics and other features deemed to be relevant. The Trustees believe that timely and reliable market quotations are generally not readily available for purposes of valuing tax-exempt securities and that the valuations supplied by the pricing service are more likely to approximate the fair value of such securities; (2) futures are valued at the latest sale price on the commodities exchange on which they trade unless it is determined that such price does not reflect their market value, in which case they will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the Trustees; (3) interest rate swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers; and (4) short-term debt securities having a maturity date of more than sixty days at time of purchase are valued on a mark-to-market basis until sixty days prior to maturity and thereafter at amortized cost based on their value on the 61st day. Short-term debt securities having a maturity date of sixty days or less at the time of purchase are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

 

B. Accounting for Investments — Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income. Interest income is accrued daily.

 

C. Futures Contracts — A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell financial instruments or contracts based on financial indices at a set price on a future date. Upon entering into such a contract, the Trust is required to pledge to the broker cash, U.S. Government securities or other liquid portfolio securities equal to the minimum initial margin requirements of the applicable futures exchange.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

Pursuant to the contract, the Trust agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments known as variation margin are recorded by the Trust as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Trust realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

 

D. Floating Rate Note and Dealer Trusts Obligations Related to Securities Held — The Trust enters into transactions in which it transfers to Dealer Trusts (“Dealer Trusts”), fixed rate bonds in exchange for cash and residual interests in the Dealer Trust’s assets and cash flows, which are in the form of inverse floating rate investments. The Dealer Trusts fund the purchases of the fixed rate bonds by issuing floating rate notes to third parties and allowing the Trust to retain residual interest in the bonds. The Trust enters into shortfall agreements with the Dealer Trusts which commit the Trust to pay the Dealer Trusts, in certain circumstances, the difference between the liquidation value of the fixed rate bonds held by the Dealer Trusts and the liquidation value of the floating rate notes held by third parties, as well as any shortfalls in interest cash flows. The residual interests held by the Trust (inverse floating rate investments) include the right of the Trust (1) to cause the holders of the floating rate notes to tender their notes at par at the next interest rate reset date, and (2) to transfer the municipal bond from the Dealer Trusts to the Trust, thereby collapsing the Dealer Trusts. The Trust accounts for the transfer of bonds to the Dealer Trusts as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the Trust’s investment assets, and the related floating rate notes reflected as Trust liabilities under the caption “floating rate note and dealer trusts obligations” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust records the interest income from the fixed rate bonds under the caption “interest income” and records the expenses related to floating rate note and dealer trusts obligations and any administrative expenses of the Dealer Trusts under the caption “interest and residual trust expenses” in the Statement of Operations. The notes issued by the Dealer Trusts have interest rates that reset weekly and the floating rate note holders have the option to tender their notes to the Dealer Trusts for redemption at par at each reset date. As of the six months ended April 30, 2009, the Trust did not hold any floating rate note obligations.

 

E. Interest Rate Swaps — The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements to exchange periodic interest payment streams calculated on a predetermined notional principal amount. Interest rate swaps generally involve one party paying a fixed interest rate and the other party paying a variable rate. The Trust will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e, the two payment streams are netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Trust receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Trust accrues the net amount with respect to each interest rate swap on a

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

daily basis. This net amount is recorded within realized gains/losses on swap contracts on the Statement of Operations.

 

Swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. Therefore, swaps are subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. If there is a default by the counterparty to a swap agreement, the Trust will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Counterparties are required to pledge collateral daily (based on the valuation of each swap) on behalf of the Trust with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain. Reciprocally, when the Trust has an unrealized loss on a swap contract, the Trust has instructed the custodian to pledge cash or liquid securities as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the swap valuations fluctuate. For cash collateral received, the Trust pays a monthly fee to the counterparty based on the effective rate for Federal Funds.

 

F. Federal Income Tax Policy — It is the Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable and non taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Trust files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York State and New York City. The Trust follows the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”) Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. FIN 48 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. There are no unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. If applicable, the Trust recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. Each of the tax years in the four year period ended October 31, 2008, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

 

The Trust purchases municipal securities whose interest, in the opinion of the issuer, is free from federal income tax. There is no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) will agree with this opinion. In the event the IRS determines that the issuer does not comply with the relevant tax requirements, interest payments from a security could become federally taxable.

 

G. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

H. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the “Investment Adviser”), the Trust pays an advisory fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.27% to the Trust’s average weekly net assets.

 

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the “Administrator”), an affiliate of the Investment Adviser, the Trust pays an administration fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Trust’s average weekly net assets.

 

Under an agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Trust. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Trust.

3. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended April 30, 2009, aggregated $4,801,167 and $1,512,255, respectively.

 

The Trust has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Compensation Plan”) which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the net asset value of the Trust.

4. Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Trust is authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 non-participating preferred shares of beneficial interest having a par value of $.01 per share, in one or more series, with rights as determined by the Trustees, without approval of the common shareholders. The preferred shares have a liquidation value of $50,000 per share plus the redemption premium, if any, plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, thereon to the date of distribution. The Trust may redeem such shares, in whole or in part, at the original purchase price of $50,000 per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, thereon to the date of redemption.

 

The Trust is subject to certain restrictions relating to the preferred shares. Failure to comply with these restrictions could preclude the Trust from declaring any distributions to common shareholders or purchasing common shares and/or could trigger the mandatory redemption of preferred shares at liquidation value.

 

The preferred shares, which are entitled to one vote per share, generally vote with the common shares but vote separately as a class to elect two Trustees and on any matters affecting the rights of the preferred shares.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

As of April 30, 2009, there were no preferred shares outstanding.

5. Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in common shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

 

 

The Trustees have approved a share repurchase program whereby the Trust may, when appropriate, purchase shares in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at a price not above market value or net asset value, whichever is lower at the time of purchase.

6. Dividends to Common Shareholders

On April 7, 2009, the Trust declared the following dividends from net investment income:

 

7. Expense Offset

The expense offset represents a reduction of the fees and expenses for interest earned on cash balances maintained by the Trust with the transfer agent and custodian.

8. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

The Trust may invest a portion of its assets in inverse floating rate municipal securities, which are variable debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. These investments are typically used by the Trust in seeking to enhance the yield of the portfolio. Inverse floating rate investments tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when interest rates decline or remain relatively stable. Inverse floating rate investments have varying degrees of liquidity. Inverse floating rate securities in which the Trust may invest include derivative instruments such as residual interest bonds (“RIBs”) or tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust that holds

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

long-term fixed rate bonds (which may be tendered by the Trust in certain instances) and sells two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests, which are sold to third party investors, and inverse floating residual interests, which are purchased by the Trust. The short-term floating rate interests have first priority on the cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust and the Trust is paid the residual cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust.

 

The Trust generally invests in inverse floating rate investments that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Trust to greater risks and increased costs. The market value of a “leveraged” inverse floating rate investment generally will fluctuate in response to changes in market rates of interest to a greater extent than the value of an unleveraged investment. The extent of increases and decreases in the value of inverse floating rate investments generally will be larger than changes in an equal principal amount of a fixed rate security having similar credit quality, redemption provisions and maturity, which may cause the Trust’s net asset value to be more volatile than if it had not invested in inverse floating rate investments.

 

In certain instances, the short-term floating rate interests created by the special purpose trust may not be able to be sold to third parties or, in the case of holders tendering (or putting) such interests for repayment of principal, may not be able to be remarketed to third parties. In such cases, the special purpose trust holding the long-term fixed rate bonds may be collapsed. In the case of RIBs or TOBs created by the contribution of long-term fixed income bonds by the Trust, the Trust will then be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered securities. During times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty, the Trust could be required to sell other portfolio holdings at a disadvantageous time to raise cash to meet that obligation.

 

To hedge against adverse interest rate changes, the Trust may invest in financial futures contracts or municipal bond index futures contracts (“futures contracts”). These futures contracts involve elements of market risk in excess of the amount reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Trust bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying securities. Risks may also arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

 

The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily to manage interest rate risk, hedge portfolio positions and preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio. The Trust may also enter into these transactions to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swap transactions are subject to market risk, risk of default by the other party to the transaction, risk of imperfect correlation and manager risk. Such risks may exceed the related amounts shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

9. Federal Income Tax Status

The amount of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations which may differ from generally accepted accounting principles. These “book/tax” differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the capital accounts based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions which exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of paid-in-capital.

 

As of October 31, 2008, the Trust had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to book amortization of discounts on debt securities and mark-to-market of open futures contracts.

10. Fair Valuation Measurements

The Trust adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), effective November 1, 2008. In accordance with SFAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Trust would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. SFAS 157 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs) and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Trust’s investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Notes to Financial Statements - April 30, 2009 (unaudited) continued

 

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2009 in valuing the Trust’s investments carried at value:

 

11. Accounting Pronouncements

On March 19, 2008, FASB released Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. The application of SFAS 161 is required for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of SFAS 161 and its impact on the Trust’s financial statements has not been determined.

 

On April 9, 2009, FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are not Orderly (“FSP 157-4”).  FSP 157-4 provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS 157, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. FSP 157-4 also requires additional disaggregation of the current SFAS 157 required disclosures. FSP 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and shall be applied prospectively. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FSP 157-4 and the impact it will have on the Trust’s financial statements.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165 (“SFAS 165”), Subsequent Events, which is intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of SFAS 165 will have on the Trust’s financial statement disclosures.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Financial Highlights

 

Selected ratios and per share data for a common share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Portfolio Management (unaudited)

 

 

The Trust is managed within the Municipals team. The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. The current member of the team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust’s portfolio is Neil Stone, a managing Director of the Investment Adviser.

 

Mr. Stone has been associated with the Investment Adviser in an investment management capacity since March 1995 and began managing the Trust in September 2007.

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Special Shareholder Meeting Results (unaudited)

 

On November 14, 2008, a Special Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust was scheduled in order to vote on the proposals set forth below. The voting results with respect to these proposals were as follows:

 

(1) Approval of a modification to the Trust’s investment policies to allow the Trust to invest, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Trust’s net assets in municipal obligations which are covered by insurance guaranteeing the timely payment of principal and interest thereon and that are rated at least “A” by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) or are unrated but judged to be of similar credit quality by the Trust’s Investment Adviser, or covered by insurance issued by insurers rated at least “A” by a NRSRO:

 

 

(2) Approval of a modification to the Trust’s investment policies to allow the Trust to invest up to 20% of the Trust’s net assets in taxable or tax-exempt fixed income securities rated at least investment grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization or, if not rated, determined by the Trust’s Investment Adviser to be of comparable quality, including uninsured municipal obligations, obligations of the U.S. government, its respective agencies or instrumentalities, and other fixed income obligations, and, during periods in which the Investment Adviser believes that changes in economic, financial or political conditions make it advisable to do so, to invest an unlimited extent in such investments for temporary defensive purposes. The Trust may also invest in options, futures, swaps and other derivatives:

 

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Special Shareholder Meeting Results (unaudited) continued

 

 

(3) Eliminate certain fundamental policies and restrictions:

 

 

(4) Modify certain fundamental investment policies and restrictions:

 

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Morgan Stanley Advisor Closed-End Funds
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited)

 

We are required by federal law to provide you with a copy of our Privacy Policy annually.

 

The following Policy applies to current and former individual investors in Morgan Stanley Advisor closed-end funds. This Policy is not applicable to partnerships, corporations, trusts or other non-individual clients or account holders. Please note that we may amend this Policy at any time, and will inform you of any changes to this Policy as required by law.

 

We Respect Your Privacy

We appreciate that you have provided us with your personal financial information. We strive to maintain the privacy of such information while we help you achieve your financial objectives. This Policy describes what non-public personal information we collect about you, why we collect it, and when we may share it with others. We hope this Policy will help you understand how we collect and share non-public personal information that we gather about you. Throughout this Policy, we refer to the non-public information that personally identifies you or your accounts as “personal information.”

 

To serve you better and manage our business, it is important that we collect and maintain accurate information about you. We may obtain this information from applications and other forms you submit to us, from your dealings with us, from consumer reporting agencies, from our Web sites and from third parties and other sources.

 

For example:

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Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

Morgan Stanley Advisor Closed-End Funds
An Important Notice Concerning Our U.S. Privacy Policy (unaudited) continued

 

 

 

To provide you with the products and services you request, to serve you better and to manage our business, we may disclose personal information we collect about you to our affiliated companies and to non-affiliated third parties as required or permitted by law.

 

A. Information We Disclose to Our Affiliated Companies.  We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to our affiliated companies except to enable them to provide services on our behalf or as otherwise required or permitted by law.

 

B. Information We Disclose to Third Parties.  We do not disclose personal information that we collect about you to non-affiliated third parties except to enable them to provide services on our behalf, to perform joint marketing agreements with other financial institutions, or as otherwise required or permitted by law. For example, some instances where we may disclose information about you to non-affiliated third parties include: for servicing and processing transactions, to offer our own products and services, to protect against fraud, for institutional risk control, to respond to judicial process or to perform services on our behalf. When we share personal information with these companies, they are required to limit their use of personal information to the particular purpose for which it was shared and they are not allowed to share personal information with others except to fulfill that limited purpose.

 

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural security measures to help safeguard the personal information we collect about you. We have internal policies governing the proper handling of client information. Third parties that provide support or marketing services on our behalf may also receive personal information, and we require them to adhere to confidentiality standards with respect to such information.

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ICSSAN
IU09-02704P-Y04/09

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

Item 6.

(a) Refer to Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

REGISTRANT PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

								(d) Maximum
						(c) Total		Number (or
						Number of		Approximate
						Shares (or		Dollar Value)
						Units)		of Shares (or
		(a) Total				Purchased as		Units) that May
		Number of				Part of Publicly		Yet Be
		Shares (or		(b) Average		Announced		Purchased
		Units)		Price Paid per		Plans or		Under the Plans
Period		Purchased		Share (or Unit)		Programs		or Programs
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
mo-da-year — mo-da-year						N/A		N/A
Total						N/A		N/A

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not applicable.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) The Trust’s/Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Trust’s/Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust/Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Exhibits

(a) Code of Ethics – Not applicable for semiannual reports.

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Morgan Stanley Insured California Municipal Securities

/s/ Randy Takian
Randy Takian
Principal Executive Officer
June 23, 2009

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/ Randy Takian
Randy Takian
Principal Executive Officer
June 23, 2009

/s/ Francis Smith
Francis Smith
Principal Financial Officer
June 23, 2009