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Invesco Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Regulatory Filings Aug 7, 2009

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N-CSR 1 y77708nvcsr.htm FORM N-CSR nvcsr PAGEBREAK

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-05597

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York (Address of principal executive offices) 10036 (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: May 31, 2009

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2009

link2 "Item 1 — Report to Shareholders"

Item 1 — Report to Shareholders

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INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Welcome, Shareholder:

In this report, you’ll learn about how your investment in Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust performed during the annual 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 Fund’s financial statements and a list of Fund investments.

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

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

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Fund Report

For the year ended May 31, 2009

callerid=999 iwidth=456 length=918

Market Conditions

In the final months of 2008, as the credit crisis unfolded, extreme risk aversion and a flight to quality, among other factors, caused municipal bond prices to reach their cheapest levels in history relative to Treasury bonds. In 2009, however, municipal bond market performance improved as credit concerns eased, deleveraging slowed, and investors re-entered the market, pushing yields lower across the municipal yield curve. As of the end of May, however, yields on long-maturity municipal bonds still exceeded those of comparable Treasuries. For the overall reporting year, the 30-year municipal-to-Treasury ratio increased from 96 percent to 105 percent, indicating that municipals underperformed Treasuries while becoming relatively cheaper.

High yield municipal credit spreads widened considerably in the first seven months of the reporting period. As the market began to rally in 2009, spreads contracted from 636 basis points at the start of the year to 506 basis points by the end of May. Although the high yield municipal bond market rebounded in 2009 to date, performance still lagged that of the investment grade segment for the overall period due in large part to the extremely risk-averse environment in late 2008. For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2009, the Barclays Capital High Yield Municipal Bond Index (the “Index”) returned −12.53 percent whereas the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index returned 3.57 percent.

With regard to municipal market sectors, the largest sectors within the Index were industrial development revenue/pollution control revenue (IDR/PCR), hospitals and special tax districts. For the period, the IDR/PCR sector (i.e., corporate-backed bonds) outpaced the Index with a −11.35 percent return which was driven largely by the strong recovery of airline bonds in the first few months of 2009. The hospital sector performed roughly in-line with the Index, returning −12.12 percent while the special tax district sector lagged with a −15.62 percent return.

For the first five months of 2009, municipal bond issuance was down 18 percent versus the same period in 2008. In a reversal from the last months of 2008, municipal bond funds experienced significant net inflows as investors recognized the historical cheapness of the municipal sector.

Performance Analysis

For the 12-month period ended May 31, 2009, the net asset value (NAV) of Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust (OIA) decreased from $7.38 to $5.90 per share. Based on this change plus reinvestment of tax-free dividends totaling $0.4575 per share and a short-term capital gain distribution of $0.005396, the Fund’s total NAV return was −13.61 percent. OIA’s value on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) moved from $7.87 to $5.67 per share during the same period. Based on this change plus reinvestment of dividends and distributions, the Fund’s total market return was −22.15 percent. OIA’s NYSE market price was at a 3.90 percent discount to its NAV. During the fiscal period, the Fund purchased and retired 29,201 shares of common stock at a weighted average market discount of 13.98 percent. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Monthly dividends for the second quarter of 2009, declared in April, decreased from $0.03875 to

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$0.035 per share. The dividend reflects the current level of the Fund’s net investment income. OIA’s level of undistributed net investment income was $0.034 per share on May 31, 2009 versus $0.047 per share 12 months earlier. 1

The primary contributors to the Fund’s performance during the reporting period included holdings in the housing sector. Although the sector struggled early in the period, it has since recovered strongly and the portfolio’s exposure in that sector, as well as strong security selection, were additive to returns. The Fund’s allocation to pre-refunded* bonds also enhanced performance; these high quality, short maturity securities benefited from the outperformance of the high grade segment of the market and the front end of the municipal yield curve.

Other positions, however, were less advantageous. The Fund’s emphasis on high yield bonds, which represented approximately two-thirds of portfolio assets, held back performance for the overall period. Although the high yield market rallied in 2009, the gains were not enough to offset the underperformance of high yield bonds in prior months. Holdings in the health care sector, particularly within the life care sub-sector, also dampened performance. Lastly, an emphasis on long-maturity bonds within the portfolio was a detractor as the long end of the municipal yield curve underperformed the intermediate and short end for the overall reporting year.

Sector exposure was relatively unchanged with the exception of the airline sector, where we began to gradually increase exposure when valuations became too low, in our opinion. Overall, the Fund’s investments remained well-diversified across a broad range of sectors, the largest weightings of which were in the life care, hospital and IDR/PCR sectors as of the end of the period.

The Fund’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 Fund’s shares. In addition, we would like to remind you that the Trustees have approved a share repurchase program whereby the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund in the future.

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

** Pre-refunding, or advance refunding, is a financing structure under which new bonds are issued to repay an outstanding bond issue, generally on its first call date. The proceeds from the new issuance are held in an escrow of high quality U.S. government securities dedicated solely to pay interest and principal on the outstanding bond issue. Pre-refunded bonds are the outstanding bonds that will be refunded from this escrow and therefore, are typically rated “AAA”.*

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TOP FIVE SECTORS as of 05/31/09 — Life Care 24 .2%
Special Tax Districts 14 .9
Hospital 13 .6
IDR/PCR 11 .1
Mortgage-Single Family 5 .5
LONG-TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS as of 05/31/09 — Aaa/AAA 7 .3%
Aa/AA 6 .1
A/A 4 .3
Baa/BBB 10 .0
Ba/BB or Less 9 .4
Non-Rated 62 .9

| SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS BY STATE CLASSIFICATION as of
05/31/09 — Florida | 17 | .7 | % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Texas | 7 | .8 | |
| Illinois | 7 | .7 | |
| Missouri | 6 | .6 | |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | .7 | |
| New York | 5 | .0 | |
| New Jersey | 5 | .0 | |
| California | 4 | .5 | |
| Colorado | 4 | .1 | |
| New Hampshire | 3 | .5 | |
| Massachusetts | 3 | .1 | |
| Ohio | 2 | .5 | |
| Tennessee | 2 | .1 | |
| Hawaii | 2 | .0 | |
| Michigan | 1 | .9 | |
| South Carolina | 1 | .7 | |
| Nevada | 1 | .7 | |
| Arizona | 1 | .6 | |
| Virginia | 1 | .6 | |
| Maryland | 1 | .5 | |
| Iowa | 1 | .5 | |
| Washington | 1 | .5 | |
| Minnesota | 1 | .5 | |
| Connecticut | 1 | .3 | |
| Georgia | 1 | .3 | |
| Louisiana | 1 | .3 | |
| North Dakota | 1 | .2 | |
| Alabama | 1 | .0 | |
| Oklahoma | 0 | .9 | |
| Utah | 0 | .7 | |
| District of Columbia | 0 | .7 | |
| Idaho | 0 | .6 | |
| Kansas | 0 | .6 | |
| West Virginia | 0 | .6 | |
| Wisconsin | 0 | .5 | |
| Mississippi | 0 | .3 | |
| North Carolina | 0 | .2 | |
| Total Long-Term Investments | 103 | .0 | |
| Short-Term Investments | 0 | .6 | |
| Liability for Floating Rate Note Obligations | (5 | .5 | ) |
| Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities | 1 | .9 | |
| Net Assets | 100 | .0 | % |

Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned or securities in the sectors shown above. Top five sectors are as a percentage of total investments and long-term credit analysis are a a percentage of total long-term investments. Summary of investments by state classification are as a percentage of net assets. 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 allocation 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 fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the fund’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 fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund’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 ([email protected]) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (103.0%)
Alabama (1.0%)
$ 1,000 Colbert County – Northwest Health Care Authority,
Helen Keller Hospital Ser 2003 5 .75 % 06/01/27 $ 844,290
400 Cullman Medical Clinic Board, Cullman Medical Park South,
Regional Medical Center, Inc. Ser 1993-A 6 .50 02/15/23 376,464
1,220,754
Arizona (1.6%)
1,225 Pima County Industrial Development Authority, Constellation
Schools Ser 2008 7 .00 01/01/38 945,896
800 Pima County Industrial Development Authority, Water &
Wastewater Global Water Ressources LLC Ser (AMT) 6 .55 12/01/37 566,568
400 Pinal County Electrical District #4, Electric System
Ser 2008 6 .00 12/01/38 348,580
1,861,044
California (4.5%)
1,760 California County Tobacco Securitization Agency, Gold County
Settlement Funding Corp Ser 2006 (e) 0 .00 06/01/33 181,544
335 California Municipal Finance Authority Educational Facility,
High Tech High-Media Arts Ser 2008 A (b) 5 .875 07/01/28 250,727
1,000 California Statewide Communities Development Authority,
California Baptist University Ser 2007 A 5 .50 11/01/38 631,430
400 California Statewide Communities Development Authority, Thomas
Jefferson School of Law Ser 2008 A 7 .25 10/01/38 336,192
995 Daly City Housing Development Finance Agency, Franciscan Mobile
Home Park Third Tier Refg Ser 2007 C 6 .50 12/15/47 735,574
3,000 Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corporation, Asset Backed Ser 2007 A-1 5 .125 06/01/47 1,794,599
800 Quechan Indian Tribe FT Yuma Indian Reservation Ser 2008 7 .00 12/01/27 563,800
1,000 Santa Ana, Unified School District Community Facilities,
District # 2004-1, California, Central Park Ser 2005 5 .10 09/01/35 654,950
13,000 Silicon Valley Tobbaco Securitization Authority, Santa Clara
Tobacco Securitization Corp Ser 2007 C (e) 0 .00 06/01/56 99,060
5,247,876
Colorado (4.1%)
1,000 Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Christian Living
Communities Ser 2006 A 5 .75 01/01/37 697,460
500 Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Christian Living
Communities Ser 2006 A 9 .00 01/01/34 509,210
280 Colorado Housing & Finance Authority, 1998 Ser B-3 6 .35 11/01/29 287,585
1,000 Copperleaf Metropolitan District # 2, Ser 2006 5 .95 12/01/36 563,200

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
$ 2,000 Elk Valley Public Improvement Corporation, Ser 2001 A 7 .35 % 09/01/31 $ 1,628,700
2,000 Northwest Metropolitan District #3, Ser 2005 6 .25 12/01/35 1,063,660
4,749,815
Connecticut (1.3%)
2,000 Georgetown Special Taxing District, Ser 2006 A (b) 5 .125 10/01/36 924,860
1,000 Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe, Special 1997 Ser B (b) 5 .75 09/01/27 552,620
1,477,480
District of Columbia (0.7%)
540 District of Columbia, Refg Ser 2009B (a) 5 .00 12/01/25 577,863
260 Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, District of Columbia
& Virginia, CaterAir International Corp Ser 1991 (AMT)
(c) 10 .125 09/01/11 253,469
831,332
Florida (17.7%)
500 Alachua County Florida Industrial Development Revenue, North
Florida Retirement Village Ser 2007 5 .25 11/15/17 427,065
800 Alachua County Florida Industrial Development Revenue, North
Florida Retirement Village Ser 2007 5 .875 11/15/36 570,304
1,855 Beacon Lakes, Community Development District,
Ser 2003 A 6 .90 05/01/35 1,352,499
935 Bellalago Educational Facilities Benefits District, Bellalago
Charter School Ser 2004 B 5 .80 05/01/34 723,671
645 Brevard County Fla Health Facilities Authority, Buena Vida
Estates, Inc Ser 2007 6 .75 01/01/37 514,994
2,960 Broward County Professional Sports Facilities, Civic Arena Refg
2006 A (FSA AMBAC Insd) (a) 5 .00 09/01/23 3,037,426
2,780 Escambia County, Pensacola Care Development Centers Ser 1989 10 .25 07/01/11 2,783,614
645 Escambia County, Pensacola Care Development Centers
Ser 1989 A 10 .25 07/01/11 645,838
980 Fiddlers Creek Community Development District #1
Ser 2005 (f) 6 .00 05/01/38 636,480
500 Fountainbleau Lakes Community Development District
Ser 2007 B 6 .00 05/01/15 400,010
750 Grand Bay At Doral Community Development District
Ser 2007 A 6 .00 05/01/39 384,945
1,000 Lee County Florida Industrial Development Authority
Ser 2007 A 5 .375 06/15/37 584,450
500 Miami Beach Health Facilities Authority, Mount Sinai Medical
Center, Refg Ser 2004 6 .75 11/15/21 423,490
1,000 Midtown Miami Community Development District, Parking Garage
Ser 2004 A 6 .25 05/01/37 664,390
2,000 Orange County Florida Health Facilities Authority, Orlando
Lutheran Towers Inc, Ser 2007 5 .50 07/01/32 1,305,160
500 Orange County Health Facilities Authority, Orlando Lutheran
Towers Inc Ser 2005 5 .70 07/01/26 362,680
1,000 Orange County Health Facilities Authority, Westminister
Community Care Services Inc Ser 1999 6 .75 04/01/34 809,140
1,000 Pinellas County Health Facilities Authority, Florida, Oaks of
Clearwater Ser 2004 6 .25 06/01/34 879,070

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
$ 950 Renaissance Commons Community Development District, 2005
Ser A 5 .60 % 05/01/36 $ 586,710
2,860 South Miami Health Facilities Authority, Baptist Health South
Florida Obligated Group Ser 2007 (a) 5 .00 08/15/32 2,695,121
500 Split Pine Community Development District, Ser 2007 A 5 .25 05/01/39 279,165
600 Tolomato Community Development District, Special Assessment
Ser 2007 6 .55 05/01/27 438,570
20,504,792
Georgia (1.3%)
2,000 Atlanta, Eastside Ser 2005 B 5 .60 01/01/30 1,478,220
Hawaii (2.0%)
1,000 Hawaii Department of Budget & Finance, Kahala Nui
Ser 2003 A 8 .00 11/15/33 985,710
1,220 Hawaii Ser 2008 DK (a) 5 .00 05/01/23 1,328,355
2,314,065
Idaho (0.6%)
975 Idaho Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Valley Vista Care
Corp Refg Ser 2007 6 .125 11/15/27 725,166
Illinois (7.7%)
1,000 Bolingbrook, Sales Tax Ser 2005 6 .25 01/01/24 520,000
750 Bolingbrook, Will & Dupage Counties Special Service
Area #2005-1 Ser 2005 5 .90 03/01/27 529,065
2,000 Chicago Lake Shore East Ser 2002 6 .75 12/01/32 1,478,299
500 Hampshire Illinois Special Service Area #18 Crown
Development Projects – Tamms
Farm-Ser 2007 A 6 .00 03/01/44 252,720
1,000 Illinois Finance Authority, Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare
Ser 2008 A 5 .625 01/01/37 845,740
1,000 Illinois Finance Authority, Landing at Plymouth
Ser 2005 A 6 .00 05/15/37 718,700
1,000 Illinois Finance Authority, Luther Oaks Ser 2006 A 6 .00 08/15/39 685,690
1,650 Illinois Finance Authority, Montgomery Place Ser 2006 A 5 .75 05/15/38 1,136,024
1,200 Illinois Toll Highway Authority, 2008 Ser B (a) 5 .50 01/01/33 1,249,076
725 Lincolnshire, Service Area #1-Sedgebrook Ser 2004 6 .25 03/01/34 484,162
650 Will-Kankakee Regional Development Authority, Senior Estates
Supportive Living Ser 2007 (AMT) 7 .00 12/01/42 501,390
1,000 Yorkville Special Service Area #2006-113,
Cannonball/Beecher Road Ser 2007 5 .75 03/01/28 559,490
8,960,356
Iowa (1.5%)
750 Iowa Finance Authority Health Care Facilities, Madrid Homes
Ser 2007 5 .90 11/15/37 509,108
1,000 Iowa Finance Authority, Bethany Life Communities Refg
Ser 2006 A 5 .55 11/01/41 641,180
785 Jefferson County Hospital Revenue, Ser 2007 C 5 .95 08/01/37 540,834
1,691,122
Kansas (0.6%)
900 Olathe, Catholic Care Ser 2006 A 6 .00 11/15/38 650,268

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
Louisiana (1.3%)
$ 794 Lakeshore Villages Master Community Development District,
Special Assessment Ser 2007 5 .25 % 07/01/17 $ 619,820
600 Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Lake Charles Memorial
Hospital Refg Ser 2007 6 .375 12/01/34 442,824
500 St. John Baptist Parish, Marathon Oil Corporation
Ser 2007 A 5 .125 06/01/37 423,680
1,486,324
Maryland (1.5%)
1,000 Marlyland Economic Development Corporation, Chesapeake Bay
Conference Center Ser 2006 A 5 .00 12/01/31 522,250
750 Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities
Authority, King Farm Presbyterian Community Ser 2007 A 5 .30 01/01/37 436,725
800 Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities
Authority, Washington Christian Academy Ser 2006 5 .50 07/01/38 415,888
500 Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority, Our Lady of
Good Counsel High School Ser 2005 A 6 .00 05/01/35 375,495
1,750,358
Massachusetts (3.1%)
425 Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Linden Ponds, Inc
Facility Ser 2007 A 5 .75 11/15/42 258,778
1,500 Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Loomis Communities
Ser 1999 A 5 .75 07/01/23 1,289,685
1,570 Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, New England Center for
Children Ser 1998 5 .875 11/01/18 1,327,812
1,000 Massachusetts Health & Educational Facilities
Authority, The Learning Center for Deaf Children
Ser 1999 C 6 .125 07/01/29 760,110
3,636,385
Michigan (1.9%)
500 Dearborn Economic Development Corporation, Henry Ford Village,
Inc Refg Ser 2008 7 .00 11/15/28 424,810
400 Michigan Stragetic Fund Limited Obligation Revenue, Refg Ser 2003 A-1 (AMT) 6 .75 12/01/28 403,432
2,000 Michigan Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority,
Ser 2007 A 6 .00 06/01/48 1,390,500
2,218,742
Minnesota (1.5%)
450 Brooklyn Park, Prairie Seeds Academy Ser 2009 A 9 .25 03/01/39 468,491
600 Minneapolis Health Care System, Fairview Health Services
Ser 2008 A 6 .75 11/15/32 633,438
750 North Oaks, Presbyterian Homes of North Oaks Ser 2007 6 .125 10/01/39 614,603
1,716,532

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
Mississippi (0.3%)
$ 400 Mississippi Business Finance Corporation, System Energy
Resources, Inc. Ser 1998 5 .875 % 04/01/22 $ 371,480
Missouri (6.6%)
750 Branson Hills Community Improvement District Ser 2007 A 5 .50 04/01/27 552,578
500 Branson Regional Airport Transportation Development District Ser
2007 B (AMT) 6 .00 07/01/37 322,490
2,000 Des Peres, West County Center Ser 2002 5 .75 04/15/20 1,721,920
3,850 Fenton, Gravois Bluffs Redevelopment Ser 2001 A 7 .00 10/01/21 4,374,369
750 St Louis County Industrial Development Authority, St Andrews
Resources for Seniors Ser 2007 A 6 .375 12/01/41 546,443
250 St Louis Industrial Development Authority, Rsnken-Jordan Refg
Ser 2007 5 .00 11/15/22 167,458
7,685,258
Nevada (1.7%)
450 Henderson, Local Improvement District #T-18, Ser 2006 5 .30 09/01/35 162,099
500 Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, Tax Increment Revenue
Ser 2009 A 8 .00 06/15/30 530,430
1,050 Mesquite Nevada Special Improvement District #07-01 Local
Improvement-Anthem at Mesquite Ser 2007 6 .00 08/01/23 744,786
1,000 Director of the State of Nevada Department of
Business & Industry, Las Vegas Monorail 2nd
Tier Ser 2000 (f) 7 .375 01/01/40 50,000
600 Sparks Local Improvement District # 3 Ser 2008 6 .50 09/01/20 503,508
1,990,823
New Hampshire (3.5%)
7,160 New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, Single Family
Residential 1983 Ser B 0 .00 01/01/15 4,026,282
New Jersey (5.0%)
1,000 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Franciscan Oaks
Ser 1997 5 .70 10/01/17 873,280
730 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Lions Gate
Ser 2005 A 5 .875 01/01/37 545,500
700 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, Seashore Gardens
Living Center Ser 2006 5 .375 11/01/36 461,797
1,000 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, The Presbyterian Home
at Montgomery Ser 2001 A 6 .375 11/01/31 765,490
2,000 New Jersey Economic Development Authority, United Methodist
Homes of New Jersey Ser 1998 5 .125 07/01/25 1,383,480
2,000 New Jersey Health Care Facilities Financing Authority, Raritan
Bay Medical Center Ser 1994 7 .25 07/01/27 1,678,320
5,707,867
New York (5.0%)
3,000 Brookhaven Industrial Development Agency, Woodcrest Estates
Ser 1998 A (AMT) 6 .375 12/01/37 2,244,270
235 Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency, Meadowview at the
Wartburg Ser 1999 6 .00 06/01/09 234,986

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
$ 625 Nassau County Industrial Development Agency, Continuing Care
Retirement Community Revenue, Amsterdam at Harborside Project
Ser 2007 A 6 .50 % 01/01/27 $ 520,063
1,800 New York City Industrial Development Agency, 7 World Trade
Center LLC Ser 2005 A 6 .50 03/01/35 1,303,812
500 New York City Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility,
Polytechnic University Refg Ser 2007 (ACA Insd) 5 .25 11/01/37 401,715
1,000 New York Liberty Development Corporation, National Sports
Museum, Ser 2006 A (f) 6 .125 02/15/19 1,000
1,500 Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency, Medford Hamlet
Ser 2006 6 .375 01/01/39 1,033,230
5,739,076
North Carolina (0.2%)
400 North Carolina Medical Care Commission Healthcare Facilities,
Pennsburg at Maryfield Ser 2005 A 6 .125 10/01/35 281,568
North Dakota (1.2%)
1,500 Grand Forks, Valley Square Ser 2006 5 .30 12/01/34 993,060
500 Ward County, Health Care Facilities Trinity Obligated Group
Ser 2006 5 .125 07/01/29 383,245
1,376,305
Ohio (2.5%)
1,900 Buckeye Tobacco Settlement Financing Authority, Asset-Backed Ser 2007 A-2 5 .875 06/01/30 1,490,854
600 Centerville Health Care, Bethany Lutheran Village
Ser 2007 A 6 .00 11/01/38 428,700
850 Cuyahoga County Health Care & Independent Living
Facilities, Eliza Jennings Senior Care Ser 2007 A 5 .75 05/15/27 609,705
450 Tuscarawas County Hospital Facilities, The Twin City Hospital
Ser 2007 6 .35 11/01/37 345,317
2,874,576
Oklahoma (0.9%)
650 Chickasaw Nation Health Systems Ser 2007 6 .25 12/01/32 551,597
500 Citizen Potawatomi Nation Senior Obligation Tax Revenue,
Ser 2004 A 6 .50 09/01/16 479,030
1,030,627
Pennsylvania (5.7%)
2,300 Allegheny County Hospital Development Authority, West Penn
Ser 2007 A 5 .375 11/15/40 1,387,084
1,500 Bucks County Industrial Development Authority, Ann’s Choice
Ser 2005 A 6 .125 01/01/25 1,189,230
1,000 Chester County Health & Education Facilities
Authority, Jenner’s Pond Inc Ser 2002 7 .625 07/01/34 1,197,870
750 Harrisburg Authority, Harrisburg University of
Science & Technology Ser 2007 B 6 .00 09/01/36 600,795
1,000 Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority, Whitemarsh
Community Ser 2005 6 .25 02/01/35 655,130

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL — AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
$ 1,000 Pennsylvania Economic Development Financing Authority, Reliant
Energy Inc Ser 2001 A (AMT) 6 .75 % 12/01/36 $ 951,350
1,000 Washington County, Victory Centre/Tanger Outlet Redevelopment
Authority Ser 2006 A 5 .45 07/01/35 591,690
6,573,149
South Carolina (1.7%)
300 Georgetown County, Environmental Improvement Revenue,
International Paper Co., Refg Ser 2000 A 5 .95 03/15/14 295,983
1,250 Myrtle Beach Tax Increment, Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Ser 2006 A 5 .30 10/01/35 713,488
750 South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Wesley
Commons Ser 2006 5 .30 10/01/36 483,893
625 South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority, Woodlands at
Furman Ser 2007 A 6 .00 11/15/37 439,125
1,932,489
Tennessee (2.1%)
800 Johnson City Health and Educational Facilities Board, Mountain
States Health Alliance Ser 2006 A 5 .50 07/01/31 696,712
500 Shelby County Health, Educational & Housing Facilities
Board, Trezevant Manor Ser 2006 A 5 .75 09/01/37 332,735
750 Shelby County Health, Educational & Housing Facilities
Board, Village at Germantown Ser 2003 A 7 .25 12/01/34 634,568
500 Shelby County Health, Educational & Housing Facilities
Board, Village at Germantown Ser 2006 6 .25 12/01/34 368,645
400 Trenton Health and Educational Facilities Board Revenue,
Merchant Capital LLC Ser 2009 9 .25 04/01/39 401,152
2,433,812
Texas (7.8%)
500 Alliance Airport Authority, Federal Express Corporation Refg
Ser 2006 (AMT) 4 .85 04/01/21 412,450
2,000 Austin Convention Enterprises Inc, Convention Center Hotel
Ser 2006 B 5 .75 01/01/34 1,402,920
400 Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria County, The
Dow Chemical Project Ser 2002 A-4 5 .95 05/15/33 342,284
1,000 Decatur Hospital Authority, Wise Regional Health
Ser 2004 A 7 .125 09/01/34 844,900
1,250 HFDC Central Texas Inc, Legacy at Willow Bend,
Ser 2006 A 5 .75 11/01/36 833,700
425 Houston Airport System Special Facilities, Continental Airlines,
Inc Ser 2001 E (AMT) 6 .75 07/01/21 371,620
425 Houston Airport System Special Facilities, Continental Airlines,
Inc Ser 2001 E (AMT) 6 .75 07/01/29 356,562
1,000 Lubbock Health Facilities Development Corporation, Texas,
Carillon Ser 2005 A 6 .50 07/01/26 784,910

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Portfolio of Investments - May 31, 2009 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT IN COUPON MATURITY
THOUSANDS RATE DATE VALUE
$ 450 Tarrant County Cultural Education Facilities Finance
Corporation, Northwest Senior Housing Corporation –
Edgemere Ser 2006 A 6 .00 % 11/15/36 $ 356,103
3,350 Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs
Ser 2007 B (AMT) (a) 5 .15 09/01/27 3,363,574
9,069,023
Utah (0.7%)
1,000 Emery County Environmental Improvement, Pacificorp Ser 1996
(AMT) 6 .15 09/01/30 783,740
Virginia (1.6%)
2,000 Peninsula Ports Authority of Virginia, Baptist Homes
Ser 2006 C 5 .40 12/01/33 1,357,080
700 Peninsula Town Center Community Development Authority
Ser 2007 6 .45 09/01/37 515,760
1,872,840
Washington (1.5%)
650 Port of Seattle Industrial Development Corporation, Northwest
Airlines, Inc Ser 2001 (AMT) 7 .25 04/01/30 534,541
500 Washington Health Care Facilities Authority, Seattle Cancer Care
Alliance Ser 2008 7 .375 03/01/38 532,285
1,000 Washington Housing Finance Commission, Skyline at First Hill
Ser 2007 A 5 .625 01/01/38 638,110
1,704,936
West Virginia (0.6%)
825 West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority, Thomas Health Inc.
Ser 2008 6 .50 10/01/38 649,894
Wisconsin (0.5%)
600 Wisconsin Health & Educational Facilities Authority,
ProHealth Care, Inc Obligated Group Ser 2009 6 .375 02/15/29 621,222
Total Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (Cost $150,715,434) 119,245,598
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (0.6%)
Texas (0.3%)
400 Harris County Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corporation,
Refg Ser 2008 A (Demand 06/01/09) 0 .25 (d) 09/01/31 400,000
Utah (0.3%)
300 Murray City IHC Health Services, Inc. (Demand 06/01/09) 0 .25 (d) 05/15/37 300,000
Total Short-Term Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds (Cost $700,000) 700,000
Total Investments (Cost $151,415,434) (h) 103.6% 119,945,598
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities 1.9 2,196,814
Floating Rate Note and Dealer Trust Obligations Related to
Securities Held
Notes with interest rates ranging from 0.32% to 0.64% at
May 31, 2009 and contractual maturities of collateral
ranging from 05/01/23 to 01/01/33 (See Note 1D) (g)
(Cost $(6,359,000)) (5.5) (6,359,000 )
Net Assets 100.0% $ 115,783,412

See Notes to Financial Statements

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callerid=999 iwidth=462 length=84

AMT Alternative Minimum Tax.
(a) Underlying security related to inverse floater entered into
by the Fund (See Note 1D).
(b) Resale is restricted to qualified institutional investors.
(c) Joint exemption.
(d) Current coupon of variable rate demand obligation.
(e) Capital appreciation bond.
(f) Non-income producing security. Bond in default.
(g) Floating rate note obligations related to securities held.
The interest rates shown reflect the rates in effect at May 31,
2009.
(h) The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is
$151,297,955. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is
$1,907,386 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is
$33,259,743 resulting in net unrealized depreciation of
$31,352,357.
Bond Insurance:
ACA ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation.
AMBAC AMBAC Assurance Corporation.
FSA Financial Security Assurance Inc.

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

May 31, 2009

Assets: — Investments in securities, at value (cost $151,415,434) $ 119,945,598
Cash 64,563
Receivable for:
Interest 2,660,602
Investments sold 44,238
Dividends from affiliate 96
Prepaid expenses and other assets 22,545
Total Assets 122,737,642
Liabilities:
Floating rate note and dealer trust obligations 6,359,000
Payable for:
Investments purchased 400,000
Investment advisory fee 56,730
Administration fee 9,087
Transfer agent fee 1,232
Accrued expenses and other payables 128,181
Total Liabilities 6,954,230
Net Assets $ 115,783,412
Composition of Net Assets:
Paid-in-capital $ 169,657,267
Net unrealized depreciation (31,469,836 )
Accumulated undistributed net investment income 662,697
Accumulated net realized loss (23,066,716 )
Net Assets $ 115,783,412
Net Asset Value Per Share, 19,620,474 shares outstanding (unlimited shares
authorized of $.01 par value) $5.90

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations

For the year ended May 31, 2009

Net Investment Income:
Income
Interest $ 9,907,372
Dividends from affiliate 8,668
Total Income 9,916,040
Expenses
Investment advisory fee 609,305
Interest and residual trust expenses 195,848
Administration fee 97,489
Professional fees 71,633
Shareholder reports and notices 40,307
Registration fees 21,094
Transfer agent fees and expenses 12,044
Trustees’ fees and expenses 9,001
Custodian fees 5,723
Other 24,187
Total Expenses 1,086,631
Less: expense offset (21 )
Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 3) (855 )
Net Expenses 1,085,755
Net Investment Income 8,830,285
Realized and Unrealized Loss:
Net realized loss (4,298,657 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation (24,456,017 )
Net Loss (28,754,674 )
Net Decrease $ (19,924,389 )

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

FOR THE YEAR — ENDED ENDED
MAY 31, 2009 MAY 31, 2008
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
Net investment income $ 8,830,285 $ 8,960,686
Net realized loss (4,298,657 ) (2,376,388 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation (24,456,017 ) (14,729,742 )
Net Decrease (19,924,389 ) (8,145,444 )
Dividends to shareholders from net investment income (9,086,766 ) (9,638,541 )
Decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest (165,626 ) (257,624 )
Net Decrease (29,176,781 ) (18,041,609 )
Net Assets:
Beginning of period 144,960,193 163,001,802
End of Period (Including accumulated undistributed net investment
income of $662,697 and $926,585, respectively) $ 115,783,412 $ 144,960,193

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements - May 31, 2009

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide a high level of current income which is exempt from federal income tax. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June 22, 1988 and commenced operations on September 19, 1988.

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; (4) investments in open-end mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value as of the close of each business day; and (5) 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 except where collection is not expected.

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

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contract, the Fund 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. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund 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 Fund as unrealized gains and losses. Upon closing of the contract, the Fund 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 Trust Obligations Related to Securities Held — The Fund 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 Trusts’ assets and cash flows, which are in the form of inverse floating rate investments. The Dealer Trusts fund the purchases of the fixed rate bonds by issuing floating rate notes to third parties and allowing the Fund to retain residual interest in the bonds. The Fund enters into shortfall agreements with the Dealer Trusts which commit the Fund 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 Fund (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 Fund, thereby collapsing the Dealer Trusts. The Fund accounts for the transfer of bonds to the Dealer Trusts as secured borrowings, with the securities transferred remaining in the Fund’s investment assets, and the related floating rate notes reflected as Trust liabilities under the caption “floating rate note and dealer trust obligations” on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund records the interest income from the fixed rate bonds under the caption “interest” and records the expenses related to floating rate note and dealer trust obligations and any administrative expenses of the Dealer Trusts under the caption “interest and residual trust expenses” on the Statement of Operations. The floating rate 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. At May 31, 2009, the Fund’s investments with a value of $12,251,415 are held by the Dealer Trusts and serve as collateral for the $6,359,000 in floating rate note and dealer trust obligations outstanding at that date. The range of contractual maturities of the floating rate note and dealer trust obligations and interest rates in effect at May 31, 2009 are presented in the Portfolio of Investments.

E. Interest Rate Swaps — 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 Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e., the two payment streams are netted out in a cash

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settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund accrues the net amount with respect to each interest rate swap on a 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 Fund 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 Fund with a value approximately equal to the amount of any unrealized gain. Reciprocally, when the Fund has an unrealized loss on a swap contract, the Fund has instructed the custodian to pledge cash or liquid securities on 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 Fund pays a monthly fee to the counterparty based on the effective rate for Federal Funds.

F. Federal Income Tax Policy — It is the Fund’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 Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York State and New York City. The Fund 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 Fund 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 May 31, 2009, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The Fund 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 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.

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

2. Investment Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. (the “Investment Adviser”), the Fund pays an advisory fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.50% to the Fund’s weekly net assets.

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the “Administrator”), an affiliate of the Investment Advisor, the Fund pays an administration fee, calculated weekly and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% to the Fund’s 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 Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

3 . Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The Fund invested in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Tax-Exempt Portfolio – Institutional Class, an open-end management investment company managed by an affiliate of the Investment Adviser. Investment advisory fees paid by the Fund were reduced by an amount equal to the advisory and administrative service fees paid by Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Tax-Exempt Portfolio – Institutional Class with respect to assets invested by the Fund in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Tax-Exempt Portfolio – Institutional Class. For the year ended May 31, 2009 advisory fees paid were reduced by $855 relating to the Fund’s investment in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Tax-Exempt Portfolio – Institutional Class. Income distributions earned by the Fund were recorded as “dividends from affiliate” in the Statement of Operations and totaled $8,668 for the year ended May 31, 2009. During the year ended May 31, 2009, cost of purchases and sales of investments in Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Tax-Exempt Portfolio – Institutional Class aggregated $26,076,981 and $26,076,981, respectively.

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended May 31, 2009 aggregated $19,338,072 and $28,846,438, respectively. Included in the aforementioned transactions are purchases and sales of $1,287,564 and $1,329,490 respectively with other Morgan Stanley funds, including net realized losses of $165,864.

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to

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increases to compensation after July 31, 2003. Aggregate pension costs for the year ended May 31, 2009, included in “trustees’ fees and expenses” in the Statement of Operations amounted to $5,871. At May 31, 2009, the Fund had an accrued pension liability of $59,926 which is included in “accrued expenses and other payables” in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund 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 Fund.

4. Dividends

The Fund declared the following dividends from net investment income:

DECLARATION AMOUNT RECORD PAYABLE
DATE PER SHARE DATE DATE
April 7, 2009 $0.035 June 19, 2009 June 26, 2009
July 14, 2009 $0.035 July 24, 2009 July 31, 2009
July 14, 2009 $0.035 August 21, 2009 August 28, 2009
July 14, 2009 $0.035 September 18, 2009 September 25, 2009

5. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

PAID IN
PAR VALUE EXCESS OF
SHARES OF SHARES PAR VALUE
Balance, May 31, 2007 19,685,043 $ 196,850 $ 173,817,507
Shares repurchased (weighted average discount 4.70%)+++ (35,368 ) (354 ) (257,270 )
Reclassification due to permanent book/tax differences — — (3,781 )
Balance, May 31, 2008 19,649,675 196,496 173,556,456
Shares repurchased (weighted average discount 13.98%)+++ (29,201 ) (292 ) (165,334 )
Reclassification due to permanent book/tax differences — — (3,930,059 )
Balance, May 31, 2009 19,620,474 $ 196,204 $ 169,461,063

The Trustees have approved a share repurchase program whereby the Fund 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.

callerid=999 iwidth=462 length=84

+++ The Trustees have voted to retire the shares purchased.

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Notes to Financial Statements - May 31, 2009 continued

6. Expense Offset

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

7. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

The Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund may invest include derivative instruments such as residual interest bonds (“RIBs”) or tender option bonds (“TOBs”). Such instruments are typically created by a special purpose trust that holds long-term fixed rate bonds (which may be tendered by the Fund 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 Fund. The short-term floating rate interests have first priority on the cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust and the Fund is paid the residual cash flow from the bonds held by the special purpose trust.

The Fund generally invests in inverse floating rate investments that include embedded leverage, thus exposing the Fund 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 Fund’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 Fund, the Fund will then be required to repay the principal amount of the tendered securities. During times of market volatility, illiquidity or uncertainty, the Fund 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 Fund 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 Fund bears the

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Notes to Financial Statements - May 31, 2009 continued

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 Fund may enter into interest rate swaps and may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. The Fund 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 Fund may also enter into these transactions to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Fund 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.

8. 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.

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

FOR THE YEAR FOR THE YEAR
ENDED ENDED
MAY 31, 2009 MAY 31 ,2008
Tax-exempt income $ 8,977,486 $ 9,638,541
Ordinary income 109,280 —
Total distributions $ 9,086,766 $ 9,638,541

As of May 31, 2009, the tax-basis components of accumulated losses were as follows:

Undistributed tax-exempt income $
Undistributed long-term gains —
Net accumulated earnings 668,980
Capital loss carryforward (20,177,054 )
Post-October losses (2,889,661 )
Temporary differences (123,763 )
Net unrealized depreciation (31,352,357 )
Total accumulated losses $ (53,873,855 )

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Notes to Financial Statements - May 31, 2009 continued

As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had a net capital loss carryforward of $20,177,054, to offset future capital gains to the extent provided by regulations, which will expire according to the following schedule.

AMOUNT EXPIRATION
$ 1,864,080 May 31, 2011
4,876,449 May 31, 2013
9,386,909 May 31, 2016
4,049,616 May 31, 2017

As of May 31, 2009, the Fund had temporary book/tax differences primarily attributable to post-October losses (capital losses incurred after October 31 within the taxable year which are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund’s next taxable year) and book amortization of discounts on debt securities.

Permanent differences, due to a nondeductible expense, an expired capital loss carryforward and tax adjustments on debt securities sold by the Fund, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Fund’s components of net assets at May 31, 2009:

ACCUMULATED — UNDISTRIBUTED ACCUMULATED
NET INVESTMENT NET REALIZED
INCOME LOSS PAID-IN-CAPITAL
$(7,407) $3,937,466 $(3,930,059)

9. Fair Valuation Measurements

The Fund adopted FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), effective June 1, 2008. In accordance with SFAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund 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 Fund’s investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

| • | Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active
markets for identical investments |
| --- | --- |
| • | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs
(including quoted prices for similar investments, interest
rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.) |

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Notes to Financial Statements - May 31, 2009 continued

• Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

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.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of May 31, 2009 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value:

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AT MAY 31, 2009 USING — QUOTED PRICES IN SIGNIFICANT SIGNIFICANT
ACTIVE MARKET FOR OTHER OBSERVABLE UNOBSERVABLE
IDENTICAL ASSETS INPUTS INPUTS
TOTAL (LEVEL 1) (LEVEL 2) (LEVEL 3)
Investments in Securities $ 119,945,598 — $119,945,598 —

10. Accounting Pronouncements

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 Fund’s financial statements.

In May 2009, 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, if any, on the Fund’s financial statements.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Financial Highlights

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

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Selected Per Share Data:
Net asset value, beginning of the period $7.38 $8.28 $8.02 $8.00 $7.67
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment
income (1) 0.45 0.46 0.48 0.54 0.53
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) (1.46 ) (0.87 ) 0.32 0.01 0.29
Total income (loss) from investment operations (1.01 ) (0.41 ) 0.80 0.55 0.82
Less dividends from net investment income (0.47 ) (0.49 ) (0.54 ) (0.53 ) (0.50 )
Anti-dilutive effect of acquiring treasury
shares (1) 0.00 (6) 0.00 (6) — — 0.01
Net asset value, end of period $5.90 $7.38 $8.28 $8.02 $8.00
Market value, end of period $5.67 $7.87 $9.68 $8.76 $7.97
Total
Return (2) (22.15 )% (13.65 )% 16.99 % 17.04 % 20.12 %
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Total expenses (before expense offset) 0.89 % (3) 0.95 % (3)(5) 0.80% (5 ) 0.71 % 0.83 %
Total expenses (before expense offset, exclusive of interest and
residual trust expenses) 0.73 % (3) 0.72 % (3)(5) 0.72% (5 ) 0.71 % 0.83 %
Net investment income 7.25 % 5.89 % 5.88 % 6.78 % 6.76 %
Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate 0.00 % (4) 0.00 % (4) — — —
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period, in thousands $115,783 $144,960 $163,002 $157,928 $157,594
Portfolio turnover rate 15 % 35 % 26 % 19 % 12 %

callerid=999 iwidth=462 length=84

| (1) | The per share amounts were
computed using an average number of shares outstanding during
the period. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | Total return is based upon the
current market value on the last day of each period reported.
Dividends and distributions are assumed to be reinvested at the
prices obtained under the Fund’s dividend reinvestment
plan. Total return does not reflect brokerage
commissions. |
| (3) | The ratios reflect the rebate of
certain Fund expenses in connection with the investments in
Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. |
| | The effect of the rebate on the
ratios is disclosed in the above table as “Rebate from
Morgan Stanley affiliate”. |
| (4) | Amount is less than
0.005%. |
| (5) | Does not reflect the effect of
expense offset of 0.01%. |
| (6) | Includes anti-dilutive effect of
acquiring treasury shares of less than $0.005. |

See Notes to Financial Statements

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust (the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of May 31, 2009, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’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 the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2009, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. 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 Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust as of May 31, 2009, 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 five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York July 28, 2009

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Shareholder Voting Results (unaudited)

On December 12, 2008, an annual meeting of the Fund’s shareholders was held for the purpose of voting on the following matter, the results of which as follows:

Election on Trustees:

Frank L. Bowman For — 17,697,632 724,716 0
Michael Bozic 17,658,964 763,384 0
James F. Higgins 17,698,293 724,055 0

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Portfolio Management (unaudited)

The Fund is managed by members of the Municipals team. The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. Current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are Wayne D. Godlin, Managing Director of the Investment Adviser and Robert J. Stryker, a Vice President of the Investment Adviser.

Mr. Godlin has been associated with the Investment Adviser in an investment management capacity since May 1988 and began managing the Fund in October 2001. Mr. Stryker has been associated with the Investment Adviser in an investment management capacity since February 1994 and began managing the Fund in September 2007.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited)

The dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) offers you a prompt and simple way to reinvest your dividends and capital gains distributions into additional shares of the Fund. Under the Plan, the money you earn from dividends and capital gains distributions will be reinvested automatically in more shares of the Fund, allowing you to potentially increase your investment over time.

Plan benefits

• Add to your account

You may increase your shares in the Fund easily and automatically with the Plan.

• Low transaction costs

Transaction costs are low because the new shares are bought in blocks and the brokerage commission is shared among all participants.

• Convenience

You will receive a detailed account statement from Computershare Trust Company, N.A., which administers the Plan, whenever shares are reinvested for you. The statement shows your total distributions, date of investment, shares acquired, and price per share, as well as the total number of shares in your reinvestment account. You can also access your account via the Internet. To do this, please go to morganstanley.com/im.

• Safekeeping

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. will hold the shares it has acquired for you in safekeeping.

How to participate in the Plan

If you own shares in your own name, you can participate directly in the Plan. If your shares are held in “street name” – in the name of your brokerage firm, bank, or other financial institution – you must instruct that entity to participate on your behalf. If they are unable to participate on your behalf, you may request that they reregister your shares in your own name so that you may enroll in the Plan.

If you choose to participate in the Plan, whenever the Fund declares a dividend or capital gains distributions, it will be invested in additional shares of the Fund that are purchased in the open market.

How to enroll

To enroll in the Plan, please read the Terms and Conditions in the Plan brochure. You can obtain a copy of the Plan Brochure and enroll in the Plan by visiting morganstanley.com/im, calling toll-free (888) 421-4015 or notifying us in writing at Morgan Stanley Closed-End Funds, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rl 02940-3078. Please include the Fund name and account number and ensure that all shareholders listed on the account sign the written instructions. Your participation in the Plan will begin with the next dividend or capital gains distribution payable after Computershare Trust Company, N.A. receives

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) continued

your authorization, as long as they receive it before the “record date,” which is generally one week before the dividend is paid. If your authorization arrives after such record date, your participation in the Plan will begin with the following dividend or capital gains distribution.

Costs of the Plan

There is no direct charge to you for reinvesting dividends and capital gains distributions because the Plan’s fees are paid by the Fund. However, when applicable, you will pay your portion of any brokerage commissions incurred when the new shares are purchased on the open market. These brokerage commissions are typically less than the standard brokerage charges for individual transactions, because shares are purchased for all participants in blocks, resulting in lower commissions for each individual participant. Any brokerage commissions or service fees are averaged into the purchase price.

Tax implications

The automatic reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions does not relieve you of any income tax that may be due on dividends or capital gains distributions. You will receive tax information annually to help you prepare your federal and state income tax returns.

Morgan Stanley does not offer tax advice. The tax information contained herein is general and is not exhaustive by nature. It was not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer under U.S. federal tax laws. Federal and state tax laws are complex and constantly changing. Shareholders should always consult a legal or tax advisor for Information concerning their individual situation.

How to withdraw from the Plan

To withdraw from the Plan, please visit morganstanley.com/im or call (888) 421-4015 or notify us in writing at the address below.

Morgan Stanley Closed-End Funds Computershare Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 43078 Providence, Rl 02940-3078

All shareholders listed on the account must sign any written withdrawal instructions. If you withdraw, you have three options with regard to the shares held in your account:

  1. If you opt to continue to hold your non-certificated shares, whole shares will be held by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and fractional shares will be sold.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Dividend Reinvestment Plan (unaudited) continued

| 2. | If you opt to sell your shares through Computershare
Trust Company, N.A., we will sell all full and fractional
shares and send the proceeds via check to your address of record
after deducting brokerage commissions. |
| --- | --- |
| 3. | You may sell your shares through your financial advisor through
the Direct Registration System (“DRS”). DRS is a
service within the securities industry that allows Fund shares
to be held in your name in electronic format. You retain full
ownership of your shares, without having to hold a stock
certificate. |

The Fund and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. at any time may amend or terminate the Plan. Participants will receive written notice at least 30 days before the effective date of any amendment. In the case of termination, Participants will receive written notice at least 30 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or capital gains distribution by the Fund. In the case of amendment or termination necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules and policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, such written notice will not be required.

To obtain a complete copy of the Dividend Reinvestment Plan, please call our Client Relations department at 888-421-4015 or visit morganstanley.com/im.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

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.”

  1. What Personal Information Do We Collect About You?

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:

| • | We may collect information such as your name, address, e-mail address, telephone/fax numbers, assets, income and investment
objectives through applications and other forms you submit to us. |
| --- | --- |
| • | We may obtain information about account balances, your use of
account(s) and the types of products and services you prefer to
receive from us through your dealings and transactions with us
and other sources. |
| • | We may obtain information about your creditworthiness and credit
history from consumer reporting agencies. |
| • | We may collect background information from and through
third-party vendors to verify representations you have made and
to comply with various regulatory requirements. |
| • | If you interact with us through our public and private Web
sites, we may collect information that you provide directly
through online communications (such as an e-mail address). We may also collect information about your Internet
service provider, your domain name, your computer’s
operating system and Web browser, your use of our Web sites and
your product and service preferences, through the use of
“cookies.” “Cookies” recognize your computer
each time you return to one of our sites, and help to |

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

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

improve our sites’ content and personalize your experience on our sites by, for example, suggesting offerings that may interest you. Please consult the Terms of Use of these sites for more details on our use of cookies.

  1. When Do We Disclose Personal Information We Collect About You?

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.

  1. How Do We Protect the Security and Confidentiality of Personal Information We Collect About You?

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

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Term of Complex
Office and Overseen
Position(s) Length of by
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time Principal Occupation(s) Independent Other Directorships
Independent Trustee Registrant Served* During Past 5 Years Trustee** Held by Independent Trustee
Frank L. Bowman (64) c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Trustee Since August 2006 President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February
2009); Director or Trustee of various Retail Funds and
Institutional Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the
Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance
Committee (since February 2007); served as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy
organization) through November 2008; retired as Admiral, U.S.
Navy in January 2005 after serving over 8 years as Director of
the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and Deputy
Administrator–Naval Reactors in the National Nuclear
Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004), Knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent
Order of the British Empire; Awarded the Officer de l’Orde
National du Mérite by the French Government. 168 Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA; member, BP
America External Advisory Council (energy); member, National
Academy of Engineers.
Michael Bozic (68) c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the
Independent Trustees 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Trustee Since April 1994 Private investor; Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance
Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of the
Retail Funds (since April 1994) and Institutional Funds (since
July 2003); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee
(July 2006-September 2006); Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation
(December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture
Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and
Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise
Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co. 170 Director of various business organizations.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Term of Complex
Office and Overseen
Position(s) Length of by
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time Principal Occupation(s) Independent Other Directorships
Independent Trustee Registrant Served* During Past 5 Years Trustee** Held by Independent Trustee
Kathleen A. Dennis (55) c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the
Independent Trustees 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Trustee Since August 2006 President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment
management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the
Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment
Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of
various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August
2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital
Management (1993-2006). 168 Director of various non-profit organizations.
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (60) c/o Johnson Smick Group, Inc. 888 16th Street, N.W. Suite 740 Washington, D.C. 20006 Trustee Since July 1991 Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting
firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October
2006) and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July
1991) and Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Co-Chairman and
a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international
economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit
Committee (July 1991-September 2006); Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. 170 Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction); Director of Evergreen
Energy.
Joseph J. Kearns (66) c/o Kearns & Associates LLC PMB754 23852 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265 Trustee Since August 1994 President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting);
Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and
Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and
Institutional Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy
Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006)
and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of Institutional Funds
(October 2001-July 2003); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. 171 Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing) and The
Ford Family Foundation.

37

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Term of Complex
Office and Overseen
Position(s) Length of by
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time Principal Occupation(s) Independent Other Directorships
Independent Trustee Registrant Served* During Past 5 Years Trustee** Held by Independent Trustee
Michael F. Klein (50) c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Trustee Since August 2006 Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000) and
Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January
2004); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the
Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or
Trustee of various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since
August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley &
Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management,
President, Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan
Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December
1999). 168 Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by
Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized
Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).
Michael E. Nugent (73) c/o Triumph Capital, L.P. 445 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 Chairperson of the Board and Trustee Chairperson of the Boards since July 2006 and Trustee since July 1991 General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment
partnership); Chairperson of the Boards of the Retail Funds and
Institutional Funds (since July 2006); Director or Trustee of
the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and Institutional Funds
(since July 2001); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance
Committee (until July 2006). 170 None.
W. Allen Reed (61)† c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees 1177 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Trustee Since August 2006 Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment
Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of
various Retail Funds and Institutional Funds (since August
2006); formerly, President and CEO of General Motors Asset
Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust
Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation
(August 1994-December 2005). 168 Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest
products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the
Auburn University Foundation.

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Term of Complex
Office and Overseen
Position(s) Length of by
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time Principal Occupation(s) Independent Other Directorships
Independent Trustee Registrant Served* During Past 5 Years Trustee** Held by Independent Trustee
Fergus Reid (76) c/o Lumelite Plastics Corporation 85 Charles Colman Blvd. Pawling, NY 12564 Trustee Since June 1992 Chairman of Lumelite Plastics Corporation; Chairperson of the
Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds
(since July 2003) and Institutional Funds (since June 1992). 171 Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the
JPMorgan Funds complex managed by JP Morgan Investment
Management Inc.

Interested Trustee:

Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Term of Complex
Office and Overseen
Position(s) Length of by
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time Principal Occupation(s) Interested Other Directorships
Interested Trustee Registrant Served* During Past 5 Years Trustee** Held by Interested Trustee
James F. Higgins (61) c/o Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center Plaza Two Jersey City, NJ 07311 Trustee Since June 2000 Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since June 2000) and
Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Senior Advisor of Morgan
Stanley (since August 2000). 169 Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States (financial services).

callerid=999 iwidth=462 length=55

| * | This is the earliest date the
Trustee began serving the funds advised by Morgan Stanley
Investment Advisors Inc. (the “Investment Adviser”)
(the “Retail Funds”) or the funds advised by Morgan
Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP
(the “Institutional Funds”). |
| --- | --- |
| ** | The Fund Complex includes
all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their
portfolios) advised by the Investment Adviser and any funds that
have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the
Investment Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan
Stanley Investment Management Inc.). |
| † | For the period
September 26, 2008 through February 5, 2009,
W. Allen Reed was an interested Trustee. At all other times
covered by this report, Mr. Reed was an Independent
Trustee. |

39

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:

Term of
Office and
Position(s) Length of
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time
Executive Officer Registrant Served* Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Randy Takian (34) 522 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 President and Principal Executive Officer President and Principal Executive Officer (since September 2008) President and Principal Executive Officer (since September
2008) of funds in the Fund Complex; President and
Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.
(since September 2008). President of the Investment Adviser
(since July 2008). Head of the Retail and Intermediary business
within Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since July 2008).
Head of Liquidity and Bank Trust business (since July
2008) and the Latin American franchise (since July
2008) at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Managing
Director, Director and/or Officer of the Investment Adviser and various entities
affiliated with the Investment Adviser. Formerly Head of
Strategy and Product Development for the Alternatives Group and
Senior Loan Investment Management. Formerly with Bank of America
(July 1996-March 2006), most recently as Head of the
Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions team for Global Wealth and
Investment Management.
Kevin Klingert (46) 522 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 Vice President Since June 2008 Global Head, Chief Operating Officer and acting Chief Investment
Officer of the Global Fixed Income Group of Morgan Stanley
Investment Management Inc. and the Investment Adviser (since
March 2008). Head of Global Liquidity Portfolio Management and
co-Head of Liquidity Credit Research of Morgan Stanley
Investment Management (since December 2007). Managing Director
of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and the Investment
Adviser (since December 2007). Previously, Managing Director on
the Management Committee and head of Municipal Portfolio
Management and Liquidity at BlackRock (October 1991 to January
2007).
Carsten Otto (45) 522 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 Chief Compliance Officer Since October 2004 Managing Director and Global Head of Compliance for Morgan
Stanley Investment Management (since April 2007) and Chief
Compliance Officer of the Retail Funds and Institutional Funds
(since October 2004). Formerly, U.S. Director of Compliance
(October 2004-April 2007) and Assistant Secretary and Assistant
General Counsel of the Retail Funds.
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (42) 522 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 Vice President Since December 1997 Managing Director of the Investment Adviser and various entities
affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Vice President of the
Retail Funds (since July 2002) and Institutional Funds (since
December 1997); Secretary of various entities affiliated with
the Investment Adviser.

40

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Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Term of
Office and
Position(s) Length of
Name, Age and Address of Held with Time
Executive Officer Registrant Served* Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Francis J. Smith (43) c/o Morgan Stanley Trust Harborside Financial Center Plaza Two Jersey City, NJ 07311 Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Treasurer since July 2003 and Chief Financial Officer since
September 2002 Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various
entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer of the Retail Funds (since July 2003).
Mary E. Mullin (42) 522 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10036 Secretary Since June 1999 Executive Director of the Investment Adviser and various
entities affiliated with the Investment Adviser; Secretary of
the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and Institutional Funds
(since June 1999).

callerid=999 iwidth=462 length=55

  • This is the earliest date the Officer began serving the Retail Funds or Institutional Funds.

In accordance with Section 303A. 12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual. the Fund’s Annual CEO Certification certifying as to compliance with NYSE’s Corporate Governance Listing Standards was submitted to the Exchange on January 7, 2009.

The Fund’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 were filed with the Fund’s N-CSR and are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Web site at http://www.sec.gov.

2009 Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended May 31, 2009. The Fund designated 98.80% of its income dividends as tax-exempt income dividends.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.

41

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Trustees

Frank L. Bowman

Michael Bozic

Kathleen A. Dennis

James F. Higgins

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

Joseph J. Kearns

Michael F. Klein

Michael E. Nugent

W. Allen Reed

Fergus Reid

Officers

Michael E. Nugent

Chairperson of the Board

Randy Takian

President and Principal Executive Officer

Kevin Klingert

Vice President

Carsten Otto

Chief Compliance Officer

Stefanie V. Chang Yu

Vice President

Francis J. Smith

Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer

Mary E. Mullin

Secretary

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

P.O. Box 43078

Providence, RI 02940-3078

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Two World Financial Center

New York, New York 10281

Legal Counsel

Clifford Chance US LLP

31 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

1177 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

Investment Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

(c) 2009 Morgan Stanley

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley

Municipal Income

Opportunities Trust

NYSE: OIA

Annual Report

May 31, 2009

OIAANN

IU09-03109P-Y05/09

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link2 "Item 2. Code of Ethics"

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

(a) The Trust/Fund has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Trust/Fund or a third party.

(b) No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
(f)

(1) The Trust/Fund’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 12 A.

(2) Not applicable.

(3) Not applicable.

link2 "Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert"

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Fund’s Board of Trustees has determined that Joseph J. Kearns, an “independent” Trustee, is an “audit committee financial expert” serving on its audit committee. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Trustees in the absence of such designation or identification.

link2 "Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services"

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g). Based on fees billed for the periods shown:

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2009

Audit Fees Registrant — $ 39,125 Covered Entities (1) — N/A
Non-Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees $ (2) $ 6,418,000 (2)
Tax Fees $ 5,165 (3) $ 881,000 (4)
All Other Fees $ $
Total Non-Audit Fees $ 5,165 $ 7,299,000
Total $ 44,290 $ 7,299,000

2008

Audit Fees Registrant — $ 32,375 Covered Entities (1) — N/A
Non-Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees $ — (2) $ 4,336,000 (2)
Tax Fees $ 4,738 (3) $ 762,000 (4)
All Other Fees $ $ (5)
Total Non-Audit Fees $ 4,738 $ 5,098,000
Total $ 37,113 $ 5,098,000

N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.

| (1) | Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and
any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser
that provides ongoing services to the Registrant. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided
that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial
statements of the Covered Entities’ and funds advised by the Adviser or its
affiliates, specifically data verification and agreed-upon procedures related
to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements. |
| (3) | Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice
services provided in connection with the preparation and review of the
Registrant’s tax returns. |
| (4) | Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice
services provided in connection with the review of Covered Entities’ tax
returns. |
| (5) | All other fees represent project management for future business
applications and improving business and operational processes. |

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(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:

APPENDIX A

AUDIT COMMITTEE AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES OF THE MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004, 1

1. Statement of Principles

The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.

The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“ general pre-approval ”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee or its delegate (“ specific pre-approval ”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated) if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.

1 This Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “ Policy ”), adopted as of the date above, supersedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been adopted from time to time.

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The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management.

The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.

2. Delegation

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

3. Audit Services

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

4. Audit-related Services

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters

Folio 5 /Folio

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not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

5. Tax Services

The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services.

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3. All Tax services in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

6. All Other Services

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

7. Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services.

8. Procedures

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be

Folio 6 /Folio

PAGEBREAK

rendered. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer or any member of management.

9. Additional Requirements

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

10. Covered Entities

Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s). Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. This list of Covered Entities would include:

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated Morgan Stanley DW Inc. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company Van Kampen Asset Management Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc. Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

Folio 7 /Folio

PAGEBREAK

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

(e)(2) Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (attached hereto).

(f) Not applicable.

(g) See table above.

(h) The audit committee of the Board of Trustees has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence in performing audit services.

link2 "Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants"

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

(a) The Fund has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are: Joseph Kearns, Michael Nugent and Allen Reed.

(b) Not applicable.

link2 "Item 6"

Item 6.

(a) See Item 1.

(b) Not applicable.

Folio 8 /Folio

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link2 "Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies"

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

The Fund/Trust invests in exclusively non-voting securities and therefore this item is not applicable.

link2 "Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies"

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

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

Morgan Stanley Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

FUND MANAGEMENT

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT. As of the date of this report, the Fund is managed by members of the Municipals team. The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts. Current members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are Wayne D. Godlin, Managing Director of the Investment Adviser and Robert J. Stryker, a Vice President of the Investment Adviser.

Mr. Godlin has been associated with the Investment Adviser in an investment management capacity since May 1988 and began managing the Fund in October 2001. Mr. Stryker has been associated with the Investment Adviser in an investment management capacity since February 1994 and began managing the Fund in September 2007.

OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The following information is as of May 31, 2009:

Mr. Godlin managed 10 mutual funds with a total of approximately $7.1 billion in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than mutual funds, and no other accounts.

Mr. Stryker managed 11 mutual funds with a total of approximately $3.7 billion in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than mutual funds, and one other account with a total of approximately $299.3 million in assets.

Because the portfolio managers manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Investment Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Investment Adviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Investment Adviser’s employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans. The portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others. If the Investment Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Investment Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. The Investment Adviser has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest.

PORTFOLIO MANAGER COMPENSATION STRUCTURE

Portfolio managers receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash bonus and several deferred compensation programs described below. The methodology used to determine portfolio manager compensation is applied across all funds/accounts managed by the portfolio managers.

BASE SALARY COMPENSATION. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Investment Adviser.

DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation.

Discretionary compensation can include:

• Cash Bonus.
• Morgan Stanley’s Long Term Incentive Compensation awards — a mandatory program that
defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation into restricted stock units or
other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other investments that are subject
to vesting and other conditions.
• Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP) awards — a mandatory program that defers
a portion of discretionary year-end compensation and notionally invests it in
designated funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. The award is
subject to vesting and other conditions. Portfolio managers must notionally invest a
minimum of 25% to a maximum of 100% of their IMAP deferral account into a combination
of the designated funds they manage that are included in the IMAP fund menu, which may
or may not include the Fund. For 2008 awards, a clawback provision was implemented
that could be triggered if the individual engages in conduct detrimental to the
Investment Adviser or its affiliates.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans — voluntary programs that permit certain
employees to elect to defer a portion of their discretionary year-end compensation and
notionally invest the deferred amount across a range of designated investment funds,
including funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates.

Several factors determine discretionary compensation, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances. In order of relative importance, these factors include:

| • | Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax
investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager.
Investment performance is calculated for one-, three- and five-year periods measured
against a fund’s/account’s primary benchmark (as set forth in the fund’s prospectus),
indices and/or peer groups where applicable. Generally, the greatest weight is placed
on the three- and five-year periods. |
| --- | --- |
| • | Revenues generated by the investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and other
accounts managed by the portfolio manager. |
| • | Contribution to the business objectives of the Investment Adviser. |
| • | The dollar amount of assets managed by the portfolio manager. |
| • | Market compensation survey research by independent third parties. |
| • | Other qualitative factors, such as contributions to client objectives. |
| • | Performance of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and the
overall performance of the investment team(s) of which the portfolio manager is a
member. |

SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

As of May 31, 2009, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fund.

Folio 9 /Folio

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link2 "Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases"

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

REGISTRANT PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

(c) Total (d) Maximum — 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
September 1, 2008 — September 30, 2008 5,000 6.3437 N/A N/A
October 1, 2008 — October 31, 2008 24,201 5.5808 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
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 29,201 5.9623 N/A N/A

Folio 10 /Folio

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link2 "Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders"

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

Not applicable.

link2 "Item 11. Controls and Procedures"

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.

link2 "Item 12. Exhibits"

Item 12. Exhibits

(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto.

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

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link1 "SIGNATURES"

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 Municipal Income Opportunities Trust

/s/ Randy Takian Randy Takian Principal Executive Officer July 21, 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 July 21, 2009

/s/ Francis Smith Francis Smith Principal Financial Officer July 21, 2009

Folio 12 /Folio

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