sr53113smit.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM N-CSRS

Investment Company Act file number:  811-05767

 
DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154-0004
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 250-3220

Paul Schubert
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
 (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Date of fiscal year end:
11/30
   
Date of reporting period:
5/31/2013

ITEM 1.
REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   
 
MAY 31, 2013
Semiannual Report
to Shareholders
 
DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust
Ticker Symbol: KSM
 
Contents
4 Performance Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
6 Portfolio Summary
8 Investment Portfolio
20 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
21 Statement of Operations
22 Statement of Cash Flows
23 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
24 Financial Highlights
26 Notes to Financial Statements
34 Dividend Reinvestment Plan
36 Additional Information
38 Privacy Statement
 
The fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income exempt from federal income tax.
 
Closed-end funds, unlike open-end funds, are not continuously offered. There is a one time public offering and once issued, shares of closed-end funds are sold in the open market through a stock exchange. Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to net asset value. The price of the fund's shares is determined by a number of factors, several of which are beyond the control of the fund. Therefore, the fund cannot predict whether its shares will trade at, below or above net asset value.
 
Bond investments are subject to interest-rate and credit risks. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Leverage results in additional risks and can magnify the effect of any gains or losses. Although the fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income taxes, a portion of the fund's distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax.
 
DWS Investments is part of the Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management division of Deutsche Bank AG.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
Performance is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions, and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when sold, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please visit www.dws-investments.com for the Fund's most recent month-end performance.
 
Fund specific data and performance are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended for trading purposes.
 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 5/31/13
 
DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Based on Net Asset Value(a)
    -0.19 %     9.63 %     11.65 %     8.54 %
Based on Market Price(a)
    -3.49 %     4.06 %     12.74 %     8.78 %
Barclays Municipal Bond Index(b)
    -1.09 %     3.05 %     5.70 %     4.68 %
Morningstar Closed-End High-Yield Municipal Funds Category(c)
    0.50 %     9.58 %     7.86 %     6.41 %
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(a) Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund's net asset value during each period. Total return based on market price reflects changes in market price. Each figure assumes that dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the Fund's shares traded during the period. Expenses of the Fund include management fee, interest expense and other fund expenses. Total returns shown take into account these fees and expenses. The annualized expense ratio of the Fund for the six months ended May 31, 2013 was 1.64% (1.12% excluding interest expense).
 
(b) The unmanaged, unleveraged Barclays Municipal Bond Index covers the U.S. dollar-denominated long-term tax exempt bond market. The index has four main sectors: state and local general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and pre-refunded bonds. Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
(c) Morningstar's Closed-End High-Yield Municipal Funds category represents high-yield muni portfolios that invest at least 50% of assets in high-income municipal securities that are not rated or that are rated by a major agency such as Standard & Poor's or Moody's at the level of BBB and below (considered part of the high-yield universe within the municipal industry). Morningstar figures represent the average of the total returns based on net asset value reported by all of the closed-end funds designated by Morningstar, Inc. as falling into the Closed-End High-Yield Municipal Funds category. Category returns assume reinvestment of all distributions. It is not possible to invest directly in a Morningstar category.
 
Net Asset Value and Market Price
 
   
As of 5/31/13
   
As of 11/30/12
 
Net Asset Value
  $ 13.98     $ 14.46  
Market Price
  $ 14.48     $ 15.49  
 
Prices and net asset value fluctuate and are not guaranteed.
 
Distribution Information
 
Six Months as of 5/31/13:
Income Dividends (common shareholders)
  $ .46  
May Income Dividend (common shareholders)
  $ .0770  
Current Annualized Distribution Rate (Based on Net Asset Value) as of 5/31/13
    6.61 %
Current Annualized Distribution Rate (Based on Market Price) as of 5/31/13
    6.38 %
Tax Equivalent Distribution Rate (Based on Net Asset Value) as of 5/31/13
    10.17 %
Tax Equivalent Distribution Rate (Based on Market Price) as of 5/31/13
    9.82 %
 
Current annualized distribution rate is the latest monthly dividend shown as an annualized percentage of net asset value/market price on May 31, 2013. Distribution rate simply measures the level of dividends and is not a complete measure of performance. Tax equivalent distribution rate is based on the Fund's distribution rate and a marginal income tax rate of 35%. Distribution rates are historical, not guaranteed and will fluctuate.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Philip G. Condon, Managing Director
 
Co-Lead Portfolio Manager of the fund. Joined the fund in 1998.
 
• Joined Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management in 1983.
 
• Head of US Retail Fixed Income.
 
BA and MBA, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
 
Rebecca L. Flinn, Director
 
Co-Lead Portfolio Manager of the fund. Joined the fund in 1998.
 
• Joined Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management in 1986.
 
BA, University of Redlands, California.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
 
 
Investment Portfolio as of May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
       
Municipal Bonds and Notes 138.3%
 
Arizona 1.9%
 
Arizona, Project Revenue, Health Facilities Authority, The New Foundation Project, 8.25%, 3/1/2019
    1,145,000       1,151,824  
Maricopa County, AZ, Pollution Control Corp. Revenue, El Paso Electric Co. Project, Series B, 7.25%, 4/1/2040
    1,570,000       1,843,274  
        2,995,098  
California 14.0%
 
California, Health Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, Catholic Healthcare West, Series A, 6.0%, 7/1/2034
    1,000,000       1,189,210  
California, M-S-R Energy Authority, Series B, 7.0%, 11/1/2034
    1,310,000       1,817,756  
California, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Enterprise Casino Revenue, Series B, 144A, 6.5%, 3/1/2028
    1,000,000       1,125,510  
California, South Bayside Waste Management Authority, Solid Waste Enterprise, Shoreway Environmental, Series A, 6.25%, 9/1/2029
    1,425,000       1,629,858  
California, Special Assessment Revenue, Golden State Tobacco Securitization Corp., Series 2003-A-1, Prerefunded, 6.75%, 6/1/2039
    4,000,000       4,000,000  
California, State General Obligation:
 
5.25%, 4/1/2035
    1,230,000       1,393,787  
5.5%, 3/1/2040
    1,000,000       1,144,780  
5.75%, 4/1/2031
    1,000,000       1,163,850  
6.0%, 4/1/2038
    1,000,000       1,184,970  
6.5%, 4/1/2033
    1,950,000       2,403,609  
California, State Public Works Board Lease Revenue, Capital Projects, Series I-1, 6.375%, 11/1/2034
    1,000,000       1,228,610  
California, State Public Works Board Lease Revenue, Riverside Campus Project, Series B, 6.125%, 4/1/2028
    2,000,000       2,409,840  
Sacramento County, CA, Sales & Special Tax Revenue, Bradshaw Road Project, 7.2%, 9/2/2015
    420,000       424,498  
San Buenaventura, CA, Community Memorial Health Systems, 7.5%, 12/1/2041
    500,000       609,130  
        21,725,408  
Colorado 0.8%
 
Colorado, Public Energy Authority, Natural Gas Purchased Revenue, 6.25%, 11/15/2028, GTY: Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
    635,000       798,074  
Colorado, State Health Facilities Authority Revenue, Covenant Retirement Communities, Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2033
    440,000       461,538  
        1,259,612  
Connecticut 2.3%
 
Connecticut, Harbor Point Infrastructure Improvement District, Special Obligation Revenue, Harbor Point Project, Series A, 7.875%, 4/1/2039
    2,000,000       2,264,880  
Mashantucket, CT, Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Special Revenue, Series A, 144A, 6.5%, 9/1/2031*
    705,000       328,629  
Mashantucket, CT, Sports Expo & Entertainment Revenue, Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe:
               
Series B, 144A, Zero Coupon, 9/1/2017*
    2,000,000       635,600  
Series B, 144A, Zero Coupon, 9/1/2018*
    1,000,000       299,500  
        3,528,609  
Florida 8.8%
 
Florida, Capital Region Community Development District, Capital Improvement Revenue, Series A, 7.0%, 5/1/2039
    480,000       462,230  
Florida, Middle Village Community Development District, Special Assessment, Series A, 6.0%, 5/1/2035
    1,000,000       839,380  
Florida, Tolomato Community Development District, Special Assessment:
               
Series A-2, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 5/1/2017, 6.61% to 5/1/2039
    50,000       38,151  
Series A-3, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 5/1/2019, 6.61% to 5/1/2040
    110,000       68,683  
Series A-4, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 5/1/2022, 6.61% to 5/1/2040
    55,000       25,553  
5.4%, 5/1/2037
    1,725,000       1,711,183  
Series 1, 6.55%, 5/1/2027
    15,000       8,129  
Series 2, 6.55%, 5/1/2027
    400,000       159,660  
Series 3, 5/1/2027*
    130,000       1  
Series A-1, 6.55%, 5/1/2027
    170,000       166,590  
Florida, Village Community Development District No. 9, Special Assessment Revenue, 5.5%, 5/1/2042
    175,000       187,717  
Hillsborough County, FL, Industrial Development Authority Revenue, Health Facilities, University Community Hospital, Series A, Prerefunded, 5.625%, 8/15/2029
    1,875,000       2,312,344  
Martin County, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Martin Memorial Medical Center, 5.5%, 11/15/2042
    335,000       363,857  
Miami Beach, FL, Health Facilities Authority, Mount Sinai Medical Center:
               
6.75%, 11/15/2029
    1,385,000       1,455,870  
Prerefunded, 6.75%, 11/15/2029
    215,000       234,604  
Miami-Dade County, FL, Aviation Revenue:
 
Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 10/1/2030
    165,000       180,360  
Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 10/1/2031
    30,000       32,620  
Series A, 5.5%, 10/1/2041
    3,000,000       3,382,500  
Orlando & Orange County, FL, Expressway Authority Revenue, Series C, 5.0%, 7/1/2035
    1,080,000       1,174,111  
Tampa-Hillsborough County, FL, Expressway Authority, Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2037
    895,000       977,904  
        13,781,447  
Georgia 6.5%
 
Americus-Sumter County, GA, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Hospital Authority, South Georgia Methodist, Series A, 6.375%, 5/15/2029
    1,250,000       1,250,950  
Atlanta, GA, Airport Revenue, Series C, AMT, 5.0%, 1/1/2037
    375,000       399,900  
Atlanta, GA, Tax Allocation, Beltline Project, Series B, 7.375%, 1/1/2031
    1,000,000       1,221,900  
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue, Series A, 6.25%, 11/1/2034
    2,000,000       2,409,800  
DeKalb County, GA, Water & Sewer Revenue, Series A, 5.25%, 10/1/2036
    1,000,000       1,138,280  
Gainesville & Hall County, GA, Development Authority Retirement Community Revenue, ACTS Retirement Life Community, Series A-2, 6.625%, 11/15/2039
    1,000,000       1,132,530  
Georgia, Main Street Natural Gas, Inc., Gas Project Revenue, Series A, 5.5%, 9/15/2024
    1,220,000       1,468,392  
Georgia, Medical Center Hospital Authority Revenue, Anticipation Certificates, Columbus Regional Healthcare System, 6.5%, 8/1/2038, INS: AGC
    1,000,000       1,128,260  
        10,150,012  
Guam 2.1%
 
Guam, Government General Obligation, Series A, 7.0%, 11/15/2039
    1,000,000       1,117,920  
Guam, Government Waterworks Authority, Water & Wastewater System Revenue, 6.0%, 7/1/2025
    1,000,000       1,038,540  
Guam, Power Authority Revenue, Series A, 5.5%, 10/1/2030
    1,000,000       1,115,990  
        3,272,450  
Hawaii 0.4%
 
Hawaii, State Department of Budget & Finance, Special Purpose Revenue, Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc., 6.5%, 7/1/2039, GTY: Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc.
    500,000       586,315  
Idaho 0.2%
 
Idaho, Health Facilities Authority Revenue, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, 6.75%, 11/1/2037
    305,000       354,575  
Illinois 7.4%
 
Chicago, IL, Airport Revenue, O'Hare International Airport Revenue, Series B, 6.0%, 1/1/2041
    2,000,000       2,365,060  
Chicago, IL, General Obligation, Series A, 5.25%, 1/1/2035
    1,000,000       1,085,460  
Chicago, IL, Waterworks Revenue, 5.0%, 11/1/2042
    590,000       647,301  
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, Friendship Village of Schaumburg, Series A, 5.625%, 2/15/2037
    2,000,000       2,023,120  
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, Park Place of Elmhurst, Series A, 8.0%, 5/15/2030
    1,000,000       1,055,120  
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, The Admiral at Lake Project, Series A, 8.0%, 5/15/2040
    1,000,000       1,197,770  
Illinois, Finance Authority Revenue, Three Crowns Park Plaza, Series A, 5.875%, 2/15/2038
    1,000,000       1,025,740  
Illinois, Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority Revenue, McCormick Place Project, Series A, 5.0%, 6/15/2042
    300,000       325,764  
Illinois, Railsplitter Tobacco Settlement Authority, 6.0%, 6/1/2028
    365,000       435,919  
Illinois, State Finance Authority Revenue, Trinity Health Corp., Series L, 5.0%, 12/1/2030
    1,000,000       1,125,510  
Illinois, Upper River Valley Development Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue, Waste Recovery Project, AMT, 5.9%, 2/1/2014, GTY: GreenGold Ray Energies, Inc.
    170,000       170,274  
        11,457,038  
Indiana 1.7%
 
Indiana, Finance Authority Hospital Revenue, Deaconess Hospital Obligation, Series A, 6.75%, 3/1/2039
    525,000       614,476  
Indiana, State Finance Authority Revenue, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana, 5.0%, 3/1/2041
    1,000,000       1,055,390  
Vigo County, IN, Hospital Authority Revenue, Union Hospital, Inc., 144A, 5.7%, 9/1/2037
    1,000,000       1,041,480  
        2,711,346  
Iowa 1.7%
 
Iowa, Finance Authority Retirement Community Revenue, Edgewater LLC Project, 6.5%, 11/15/2027
    1,000,000       1,061,270  
Iowa, State Finance Authority Midwestern Disaster Area Revenue, Fertilizer Co. Project, 5.25%, 12/1/2025
    575,000       593,751  
Iowa, State Finance Authority, Wellness Facilities Revenue, Community Marshalltown Project, 0.17%**, 1/1/2031, LOC: Northern Trust Co.
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
        2,655,021  
Kansas 0.2%
 
Lenexa, KS, Health Care Facility Revenue, Lakeview Village, Inc. Project, 7.25%, 5/15/2039
    300,000       335,124  
Kentucky 4.1%
 
Kentucky, Economic Development Finance Authority, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Owensboro Medical Health Systems, Series A, 6.5%, 3/1/2045
    2,000,000       2,337,880  
Kentucky, Economic Development Finance Authority, Louisville Arena Project Revenue, Series A-1, 6.0%, 12/1/2033, INS: AGC
    365,000       394,609  
Louisville & Jefferson County, KY, Metropolitan Government Health Systems Revenue, Norton Healthcare, Inc., 5.0%, 10/1/2030
    3,425,000       3,581,317  
        6,313,806  
Louisiana 3.7%
 
Louisiana, Local Government Environmental Facilities, Community Development Authority Revenue, 6.75%, 11/1/2032
    1,000,000       1,135,840  
Louisiana, St. John Baptist Parish Revenue, Marathon Oil Corp., Series A, 5.125%, 6/1/2037
    1,500,000       1,583,370  
Morehouse Parish, LA, Pollution Control Revenue, International Paper Co. Project, Series A, 5.25%, 11/15/2013
    3,000,000       3,061,200  
        5,780,410  
Maine 0.8%
 
Maine, Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Maine General Medical Center, 6.75%, 7/1/2036
    1,000,000       1,200,150  
Maryland 4.1%
 
Maryland, Economic Development Corp., Pollution Control Revenue, Potomac Electric Power Co., 6.2%, 9/1/2022
    1,500,000       1,827,810  
Maryland, State Economic Development Corp. Revenue, Senior Lien Project, Chesapeake Bay:
               
Series A, 5.0%, 12/1/2031
    1,000,000       659,750  
Series B, 5.25%, 12/1/2031
    1,000,000       689,650  
Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Anne Arundel Health Systems, Series A, 6.75%, 7/1/2039
    500,000       615,725  
Maryland, State Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Washington County Hospital:
               
5.75%, 1/1/2033
    1,000,000       1,077,580  
6.0%, 1/1/2028
    1,385,000       1,514,761  
        6,385,276  
Massachusetts 4.2%
 
Massachusetts, Development Finance Agency, Senior Living Facility Revenue, Groves-Lincoln:
               
Series A, 7.75%, 6/1/2039
    250,000       117,510  
Series A, 7.875%, 6/1/2044
    250,000       117,510  
Massachusetts, Industrial Development Revenue, Development Finance Agency, Series A, 7.1%, 7/1/2032
    1,715,000       1,715,858  
Massachusetts, Project Revenue, Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Jordan Hospital, Series E, 6.75%, 10/1/2033
    1,790,000       1,812,196  
Massachusetts, State Development Finance Agency Revenue, Linden Ponds, Inc. Facility:
               
Series B, 11/15/2056*
    505,485       3,559  
Series A-2, 5.5%, 11/15/2046
    101,629       81,481  
Series A-1, 6.25%, 11/15/2039
    1,903,948       1,743,559  
Massachusetts, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Milford Regional Medical Center, Series E, 5.0%, 7/15/2037
    950,000       952,926  
        6,544,599  
Michigan 6.0%
 
Detroit, MI, Water & Sewerage Department, Sewerage Disposal System Revenue, Series A, 5.25%, 7/1/2039
    280,000       298,841  
Detroit, MI, Water Supply Systems Revenue, Series A, 5.75%, 7/1/2037
    1,000,000       1,102,750  
Kalamazoo, MI, Economic Development Corp. Revenue, Limited Obligation, Heritage Community, 5.5%, 5/15/2036
    1,000,000       999,970  
Kentwood, MI, Economic Development, Limited Obligation, Holland Home, Series A, 5.375%, 11/15/2036
    2,000,000       2,032,520  
Michigan, State Building Authority Revenue, Facilities Program, Series I-A, 5.5%, 10/15/2045
    2,000,000       2,250,160  
Royal Oak, MI, Hospital Finance Authority Revenue, William Beaumont Hospital, 8.25%, 9/1/2039
    1,000,000       1,264,950  
Tawas City, MI, Hospital Finance Authority, St. Joseph Health Services, Series A, ETM, 5.75%, 2/15/2023
    1,300,000       1,305,902  
        9,255,093  
Minnesota 0.8%
 
Minneapolis, MN, Health Care Systems Revenue, Fairview Health Services, Series A, 6.75%, 11/15/2032
    1,000,000       1,207,050  
Mississippi 1.2%
 
Lowndes County, MS, Solid Waste Disposal & Pollution Control Revenue, Weyerhaeuser Co. Project, Series A, 6.8%, 4/1/2022
    250,000       299,275  
Mississippi, Business Finance Corp., Pollution Control Revenue, Systems Energy Resources, Inc. Project, 5.875%, 4/1/2022
    1,000,000       1,003,010  
Warren County, MS, Gulf Opportunity Zone, International Paper Co., Series A, 6.5%, 9/1/2032
    435,000       495,830  
        1,798,115  
Missouri 2.1%
 
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Lutheran Senior Services, Series C, 5.0%, 2/1/2042
    2,000,000       2,037,060  
Missouri, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Health Facilities Revenue, Lester E Cox Medical Centers, Series A, 5.0%, 11/15/2048
    740,000       783,741  
St. Louis, MO, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport Revenue, Series A-1, 6.625%, 7/1/2034
    415,000       484,625  
        3,305,426  
Nevada 5.9%
 
Clark County, NV, School District, Series A, 5.0%, 6/15/2022, INS: FGIC, NATL
    5,140,000       5,938,962  
Henderson, NV, Health Care Facility Revenue, Catholic Healthcare West, Series B, 5.25%, 7/1/2031
    2,000,000       2,106,740  
Las Vegas Valley, NV, Water District, Series B, 5.0%, 6/1/2037
    1,000,000       1,106,410  
        9,152,112  
New Hampshire 2.2%
 
New Hampshire, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Rivermead at Peterborough Retirement Community, 5.75%, 7/1/2028
    1,500,000       1,501,275  
New Hampshire, State Business Finance Authority, Solid Waste Disposal Revenue, Waste Management, Inc. Project, AMT, 5.2%, 5/1/2027
    1,750,000       1,901,970  
        3,403,245  
New Jersey 7.0%
 
New Jersey, Economic Development Authority Revenue, Cigarette Tax, Prerefunded, 5.75%, 6/15/2034
    290,000       306,318  
New Jersey, Health Care Facilities Financing Authority Revenue, St. Joseph's Health Care System, 6.625%, 7/1/2038
    715,000       814,449  
New Jersey, State Economic Development Authority Revenue, School Facilities Construction:
               
Series NN, 5.0%, 3/1/2030
    500,000       559,940  
Series NN, 5.0%, 3/1/2031
    275,000       306,287  
New Jersey, State Economic Development Authority, Continental Airlines, Inc. Project, AMT, 4.875%, 9/15/2019
    1,000,000       1,040,270  
New Jersey, State Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency, Multi-Family Housing Revenue, Series 5, AMT, 0.14%**, 11/1/2046, LOC: Citibank NA
    180,000       180,000  
New Jersey, State Transportation Trust Fund Authority:
 
Series AA, 5.0%, 6/15/2038
    840,000       915,482  
Series B, 5.5%, 6/15/2031
    1,500,000       1,741,095  
New Jersey, State Turnpike Authority, Series A, 5.0%, 1/1/2038
    1,190,000       1,292,602  
New Jersey, Tobacco Settlement Financing Corp., Series 1A, 4.75%, 6/1/2034
    4,280,000       3,757,241  
        10,913,684  
New York 10.1%
 
New York, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Revenue:
 
Series D, 5.0%, 11/15/2032
    1,000,000       1,115,160  
Series E, 5.0%, 11/15/2042
    305,000       329,934  
New York, State Energy Research & Development Authority, Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc., Series A-2, 0.11%**, 5/1/2039, LOC: Mizuho Corporate Bank
    800,000       800,000  
New York, State Thruway Authority Revenue, Series I, 5.0%, 1/1/2037
    270,000       296,957  
New York & New Jersey, Port Authority, Special Obligation Revenue, JFK International Air Terminal LLC, 6.0%, 12/1/2042
    680,000       791,629  
New York & New Jersey Port Authority, One Hundred Forty-Seventh, AMT, 5.0%, 10/15/2023, INS: FGIC, NATL
    8,260,000       9,239,140  
New York City, NY, Industrial Development Agency, Special Facility Revenue, American Airlines, JFK International Airport, AMT, 8.0%, 8/1/2028, GTY: AMR Corp.
    2,000,000       2,329,260  
New York City, NY, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue, NYC Recovery, Series 1, 0.09%**, 11/1/2022, SPA: Landesbank Hessen-Thuringen
    840,000       840,000  
        15,742,080  
North Carolina 0.8%
 
North Carolina, Medical Care Commission, Health Care Facilities Revenue, University Health Systems, Series D, 6.25%, 12/1/2033
    1,000,000       1,189,270  
Ohio 1.8%
 
Kent, OH, State University Revenues, General Receipts, Series A, 5.0%, 5/1/2037
    1,000,000       1,105,540  
Ohio, American Municipal Power, Inc. Revenue, Fremont Energy Center Project, Series B, 5.0%, 2/15/2037
    1,575,000       1,715,710  
        2,821,250  
Pennsylvania 3.0%
 
Butler County, PA, Hospital Authority Revenue, Butler Health Systems Project, 7.25%, 7/1/2039
    2,000,000       2,419,240  
Montgomery County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Revenue, Whitemarsh Continuing Care, 6.25%, 2/1/2035
    600,000       608,304  
Philadelphia, PA, Redevelopment Authority Revenue, First Lien Mortgage, Series A, 6.5%, 1/1/2029
    531,500       532,595  
Westmoreland County, PA, Industrial Development Authority Revenue, Retirement Community-Redstone, Series A, 5.875%, 1/1/2032
    1,000,000       1,022,980  
        4,583,119  
Puerto Rico 6.8%
 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Aqueduct & Sewer Authority Revenue, Series A, 6.0%, 7/1/2038
    4,000,000       4,107,920  
Puerto Rico, Public Buildings Authority Revenue, Series Q, 5.625%, 7/1/2039
    1,000,000       1,011,230  
Puerto Rico, Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue:
 
Series A, 5.375%, 8/1/2039
    1,000,000       1,050,730  
Series A, 6.5%, 8/1/2044
    2,000,000       2,273,640  
Puerto Rico, Sales Tax Financing Corp., Sales Tax Revenue, Convertible Capital Appreciation, Series A, Step-up Coupon, 0% to 8/1/2016, 6.75% to 8/1/2032
    2,000,000       2,048,920  
        10,492,440  
South Carolina 0.7%
 
Hardeeville, SC, Assessment Revenue, Anderson Tract Municipal Improvement District, Series A, 7.75%, 11/1/2039
    950,000       894,292  
South Carolina, Jobs Economic Development Authority, Hospital Facilities Revenue, Palmetto Health Alliance, Series C, Prerefunded, 7.0%, 8/1/2030
    170,000       171,918  
        1,066,210  
Tennessee 1.5%
 
Clarksville, TN, Natural Gas Acquisition Corp., Gas Revenue:
 
5.0%, 12/15/2017
    500,000       573,660  
5.0%, 12/15/2018
    540,000       616,399  
Johnson City, TN, Health & Educational Facilities Board Hospital Revenue, Mountain States Health Alliance, Series A, 7.75%, 7/1/2038
    1,000,000       1,205,640  
        2,395,699  
Texas 16.8%
 
Austin, TX, Austin-Bergstrom Landhost Enterprises, Inc., Airport Hotel Project, Series A, 3.375%, 4/1/2027 (a)
    1,960,000       939,232  
Austin, TX, Electric Utility System Revenue, 5.0%, 11/15/2040
    455,000       505,082  
Brazos River, TX, Harbor Navigation District, Brazoria County Environmental Health, Dow Chemical Co. Project:
               
Series B-2, 4.95%, 5/15/2033
    1,000,000       1,081,380  
Series A-3, AMT, 5.125%, 5/15/2033
    1,000,000       1,068,510  
Central Texas, Regional Mobility Authority Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 1/1/2043
    225,000       240,723  
Central Texas, Regional Mobility Authority Revenue, Senior Lien, 6.0%, 1/1/2041
    545,000       628,766  
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, International Airport Revenue:
 
Series F, AMT, 5.0%, 11/1/2035
    1,000,000       1,045,520  
Series D, AMT, 5.0%, 11/1/2038
    2,000,000       2,077,160  
Houston, TX, Transportation/Tolls Revenue, Special Facilities, Continental Airlines, Inc., Series E, AMT, 6.75%, 7/1/2029
    2,000,000       2,008,660  
Matagorda County, TX, Navigation District No. 1, Pollution Control Revenue, AEP Texas Central Co. Project, Series A, 4.4%, 5/1/2030, INS: AMBAC
    2,250,000       2,316,150  
North Texas, Tollway Authority Revenue, Toll Second Tier, Series F, 5.75%, 1/1/2033
    2,000,000       2,217,280  
Red River, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp., Retirement Facilities Revenue, Sears Methodist Retirement System Obligation Group Project, Series A, 5.45%, 11/15/2038
    2,410,000       2,197,173  
San Antonio, TX, Convention Center Hotel Finance Corp., Contract Revenue, Empowerment Zone, Series A, AMT, 5.0%, 7/15/2039, INS: AMBAC
    1,000,000       1,001,240  
Tarrant County, TX, Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Retirement Facility, Mirador Project, Series A, 8.25%, 11/15/2044
    570,000       641,677  
Texas, Industrial Development Revenue, Waste Disposal Authority, Series A, AMT, 6.1%, 8/1/2024
    1,000,000       1,004,030  
Texas, Love Field Airport Modernization Corp., Special Facilities Revenue, Southwest Airlines Co. Project, 5.25%, 11/1/2040
    1,055,000       1,136,066  
Texas, SA Energy Acquisition Public Facility Corp., Gas Supply Revenue, 5.5%, 8/1/2020
    2,000,000       2,345,000  
Texas, State Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp., III Gas Supply Revenue:
               
5.0%, 12/15/2030
    165,000       175,491  
5.0%, 12/15/2031
    335,000       355,489  
5.0%, 12/15/2032
    1,000,000       1,058,740  
Texas, State Transportation Commission, Turnpike Systems Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 8/15/2041
    1,280,000       1,366,003  
Travis County, TX, Health Facilities Development Corp. Revenue, Westminster Manor Health, 7.125%, 11/1/2040
    510,000       601,703  
        26,011,075  
Virginia 1.7%
 
Virginia, Route 460 Funding Corp., Toll Road Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 7/1/2052
    1,000,000       1,036,380  
Washington County, VA, Industrial Development Authority, Hospital Facility Revenue, Mountain States Health Alliance, Series C, 7.75%, 7/1/2038
    1,370,000       1,665,632  
        2,702,012  
Washington 1.8%
 
Washington, State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Series C, 5.375%, 8/15/2028, INS: Radian
    595,000       626,226  
Washington, State Health Care Facilities Authority Revenue, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Series A, 6.125%, 8/15/2037
    2,000,000       2,171,340  
        2,797,566  
Wisconsin 3.2%
 
Wisconsin, Hospital & Healthcare Revenue, Health & Educational Facilities Authority, Aurora Health Care, Inc., 6.875%, 4/15/2030
    1,000,000       1,002,820  
Wisconsin, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Agnesian Healthcare, Inc., Series B, 5.0%, 7/1/2036
    500,000       549,635  
Wisconsin, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Prohealth Care, Inc. Obligation Group, 6.625%, 2/15/2039
    1,110,000       1,281,406  
Wisconsin, State Health & Educational Facilities Authority Revenue, Thedacare, Inc., Series A, 5.5%, 12/15/2038
    1,765,000       1,930,310  
Wisconsin, University Hospitals & Clinics Authority, Series A, 5.0%, 4/1/2038
    145,000       159,097  
        4,923,268  
Total Municipal Bonds and Notes (Cost $190,137,291)
      214,795,010  
   
Municipal Inverse Floating Rate Notes (b) 11.4%
 
California 2.9%
 
San Diego County, CA, Water Authority Revenue, Certificates of Participation, Series 2008-A, 5.0%, 5/1/2027, INS: AGMC (c)
    2,121,349       2,376,602  
San Diego County, CA, Water Authority Revenue, Certificates of Participation, Series 2008-A, 5.0%, 5/1/2028, INS: AGMC (c)
    1,930,312       2,162,578  
Trust: San Diego County, CA, Water Utility Improvements, Certificates of Participation, Series 2008-1104, 144A, 9.304%, 11/1/2015, Leverage Factor at purchase date: 2 to 1
               
        4,539,180  
New York 4.0%
 
New York, State Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Revenue, Series A, 5.0%, 3/15/2023 (c)
    5,535,000       6,241,143  
Trust: New York, State Dormitory Authority Revenue, Secondary Issues, Series 1955-2, 144A, 17.974%, 3/15/2015, Leverage Factor at purchase date: 4 to 1
               
Tennessee 4.5%
 
Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Metropolitan Government, 5.0%, 1/1/2024 (c)
    5,918,585       6,972,404  
Trust: Nashville & Davidson County, TN, Metropolitan Government, Series 2631-1, 144A, 17.986%, 1/1/2016, Leverage Factor at purchase date: 4 to 1
               
Total Municipal Inverse Floating Rate Notes (Cost $15,679,922)
      17,752,727  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $205,817,213)
    149.7       232,547,737  
MTPS, at Liquidation Value
    (38.9 )     (60,475,000 )
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (4.7 )     (7,255,160 )
ARPS, at Liquidation Value
    (6.1 )     (9,525,000 )
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders
    100.0       155,292,577  
 
The following table represents bonds that are in default:
Security
 
Coupon
 
Maturity Date
 
Principal Amount ($)
   
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
 
Austin, TX, Austin-Bergstrom Landhost Enterprises, Inc., Airport Hotel Project, Series A (a)
    3.375 %
4/1/2027
    1,960,000       1,960,000       939,232  
Mashantucket, CT, Sports Expo & Entertainment Revenue, Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Series B, 144A*
 
Zero Coupon
 
9/1/2017
    2,000,000       1,417,501       635,600  
Mashantucket, CT, Sports Expo & Entertainment Revenue, Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Series B, 144A*
 
Zero Coupon
 
9/1/2018
    1,000,000       667,388       299,500  
Mashantucket, CT, Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Special Revenue, Series A, 144A*
    6.5 %
9/1/2031
    705,000       733,004       328,629  
                        4,777,893       2,202,961  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
** Variable rate demand notes are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically at market levels. These securities are often payable on demand and are shown at their current rates as of May 31, 2013.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $194,056,786. At May 31, 2013, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $27,875,912. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $31,832,460 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $3,956,548.
 
(a) Partial interest-paying security. The rate shown represents 50% of the original coupon rate.
 
(b) Securities represent the underlying municipal obligations of inverse floating rate obligations held by the Fund.
 
(c) Security forms part of the below tender option bond trust. Principal Amount and Value shown take into account the leverage factor.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
AGC: Assured Guaranty Corp.
 
AGMC: Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.
 
AMBAC: Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
 
AMT: Subject to alternative minimum tax.
 
ETM: Bonds bearing the description ETM (escrow to maturity) are collateralized usually by U.S. Treasury securities which are held in escrow and used to pay principal and interest on bonds so designated.
 
FGIC: Financial Guaranty Insurance Co.
 
GTY: Guaranty Agreement
 
INS: Insured
 
LOC: Letter of Credit
 
NATL: National Public Finance Guarantee Corp.
 
Prerefunded: Bonds which are prerefunded are collateralized usually by U.S. Treasury securities which are held in escrow and used to pay principal and interest on tax-exempt issues and to retire the bonds in full at the earliest refunding date.
 
Radian: Radian Asset Assurance, Inc.
 
SPA: Standby Bond Purchase Agreement
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes 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.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of May 31, 2013 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Municipal Investments (d)
  $     $ 232,547,737     $     $ 232,547,737  
Total
  $     $ 232,547,737     $     $ 232,547,737  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended May 31, 2013.
 
(d) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in securities, at value (cost $205,817,213)
  $ 232,547,737  
Cash
    44,041  
Interest receivable
    3,224,016  
Other assets
    2,832  
Deferred offering costs
    276,691  
Total assets
    236,095,317  
Liabilities
 
Payable for floating rate notes issued
    10,615,039  
Distributions payable
    193  
Accrued management fee
    116,050  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    5,658  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    65,800  
MTPS, at liquidation value (see page 29 for more details)
    60,475,000  
Total liabilities
    71,277,740  
ARPS, at liquidation value (see page 29 for more details)
    9,525,000  
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, at value
  $ 155,292,577  
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    2,751,767  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    26,730,524  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (93,051 )
Paid-in capital
    125,903,337  
Net assets applicable to common shareholders, at value
  $ 155,292,577  
Net Asset Value
 
Net Asset Value per common share ($155,292,577 ÷ 11,106,707 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, $.01 par value, unlimited number of common shares authorized)
  $ 13.98  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Interest
  $ 6,108,771  
Expenses:
Management fee
    681,153  
Services to shareholders
    6,368  
Custodian fee
    3,883  
Professional fees
    45,696  
Reports to shareholders
    30,261  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    6,616  
Interest expense
    409,001  
Auction service fees
    12,085  
Stock exchange listing fees
    11,906  
Offering costs
    48,327  
Other
    32,048  
Total expenses
    1,287,344  
Net investment income
    4,821,427  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from investments
    124,432  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (5,117,608 )
Net gain (loss)
    (4,993,176 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (171,749 )
Distributions to ARPS
    (10,228 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders
  $ (181,977 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
 
Increase (Decrease) in Cash:
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (excluding distributions to ARPS)
  $ (171,749 )
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Purchases of long-term investments
    (28,124,233 )
Net amortization of premium/(accretion of discount)
    (35,933 )
Proceeds from sales and maturities of long-term investments
    29,053,975  
(Increase) decrease in interest receivable
    (26,286 )
(Increase) decrease in other assets
    2,851  
(Increase) decrease in receivable for investments sold
    200,000  
Increase (decrease) in payable for investments purchased — when-issued secuities
    (902,697 )
Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses and payables
    (161,981 )
Change in net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
    5,117,608  
Net realized (gain) loss from investments
    (124,432 )
Cash provided (used) by operating activities
    4,827,123  
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
 
(Increase) decrease in deferred offering cost on MTPS
    14,983  
Distributions paid (net of reinvestment of distributions)
    (4,886,403 )
Cash provided (used) by financing activities
    (4,871,420 )
Increase (decrease) in cash
    (44,297 )
Cash at beginning of period
    88,338  
Cash at end of period
  $ 44,041  
Supplemental Disclosure
 
Reinvestment of distributions
  $ 250,486  
Interest expense
  $ (409,001 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended May 31, 2013 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended November 30, 2012
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 4,821,427     $ 10,541,641  
Net realized gain (loss)
    124,432       (1,012,969 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (5,117,608 )     20,288,605  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (171,749 )     29,817,277  
Distributions to ARPS
    (10,228 )     (173,076 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to common shareholders
    (181,977 )     29,644,201  
Distributions to common shareholders from:
Net investment income
    (5,126,640 )     (10,294,498 )
Fund share transactions:
Net increase resulting from the tender of ARPS
          2,419,000  
Net proceeds from shares issued to common shareholders from reinvestment of distributions
    250,486       534,598  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions
    250,486       2,953,598  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (5,058,131 )     22,303,301  
Net assets at beginning of period applicable to common shareholders
    160,350,708       138,047,407  
Net assets at end of period applicable to common shareholders (including undistributed net investment income of $2,751,767 and $3,067,208, respectively)
  $ 155,292,577     $ 160,350,708  
Other Information
 
Common shares outstanding at beginning of period
    11,089,387       11,050,828  
Shares issued to common shareholders from reinvestment of distributions
    17,320       38,559  
Common shares outstanding at end of period
    11,106,707       11,089,387  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended November 30,
 
   
Six Months Ended 5/31/13 (Unaudited)
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Selected Per Share Data Applicable to Common Shareholders
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 14.46     $ 12.49     $ 12.40     $ 12.01     $ 9.66     $ 12.11  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .43       .95       1.01       1.00       1.01       .95  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.45 )     1.75       .08       .35       2.25       (2.50 )
Total from investment operations
    (.02 )     2.70       1.09       1.35       3.26       (1.55 )
Distributions to ARPS from net investment income (common share equivalent)
    (.00 )***     (.02 )     (.02 )     (.03 )     (.05 )     (.24 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (.02 )     2.68       1.07       1.32       3.21       (1.79 )
Less distributions to common shareholders from:
Net investment income
    (.46 )     (.93 )     (.92 )     (.93 )     (.86 )     (.66 )
Net realized gains
                (.06 )                  
Total distributions
    (.46 )     (.93 )     (.98 )     (.93 )     (.86 )     (.66 )
NAV accretion resulting from ARPS tendered at a discounta
          .22                          
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 13.98     $ 14.46     $ 12.49     $ 12.40     $ 12.01     $ 9.66  
Market price, end of period
  $ 14.48     $ 15.49     $ 13.33     $ 12.78     $ 12.33     $ 7.80  
Total Return
 
Based on net asset value (%)c
    (.19 )**     23.77       9.32       11.18       35.09       (14.99 )b
Based on market price (%)c
    (3.49 )**     24.23       13.20       11.61       71.76       (23.67 )
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    155       160       138       136       132       106  
Ratio of expenses before fee reductions (%) (including interest expense)d,e
    1.64 *     1.30       1.29       1.32       1.48       1.90  
Ratio of expenses after fee reductions (%) (including interest expense)d,f
    1.64 *     1.30       1.29       1.32       1.48       1.89  
Ratio of expenses after fee reductions (%) (excluding interest expense)g
    1.12 *     1.23       1.23       1.26       1.39       1.33  
Ratio of net investment income (%)h
    6.13 *     7.06       8.40       8.00       9.35       8.34  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    12 **     41       26       26       79       65  
Financial Highlights (continued)
 
           
Years Ended November 30,
 
 
Six Months Ended 5/31/13 (Unaudited)
      2012       2011       2010       2009       2008  
Senior Securities
 
Preferred shares information at end of period, aggregate amount outstanding:
ARPS ($ millions)
    10       10       70       70       70       70  
MTPS ($ millions)
    60       60                          
Asset coverage per share ($)i
    80,462       82,268       74,303       73,726       72,033       62,784  
Liquidation and market price per share ($)
    25,000       25,000       25,000       25,000       25,000       25,000  
 

a Based on average common shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain fees not been reduced.
c Total return based on net asset value reflects changes in the Fund's net asset value during each period. Total return based on market price reflects changes in market price. Each figure assumes that dividend and capital gain distributions, if any, were reinvested. These figures will differ depending upon the level of any discount from or premium to net asset value at which the Fund's shares traded during the period.
d Interest expense represents interest and fees on short-term floating rate notes issued in conjunction with inverse floating rate securities and interest paid to shareholders of MTPS.
e The ratio of expenses before fee reductions (based on net assets of common and preferred shares, including interest expense) were 1.13%, 0.89%, 0.85%, 0.88%, 0.93% and 1.22% for the periods ended May 31, 2013, November 30, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
f The ratio of expenses after fee reductions (based on net assets of common and preferred shares, including interest expense) were 1.13%, 0.89%, 0.85%, 0.88%, 0.93% and 1.21% for the periods ended May 31, 2013, November 30, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
g The ratio of expenses after fee reductions (based on net assets of common and preferred shares, excluding interest expense) were 0.77%, 0.85%, 0.81%, 0.84%, 0.88% and 0.86% for the periods ended May 31, 2013, November 30, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
h The ratio of net investment income after distributions paid to ARPS were 6.12%, 6.94%, 8.23%, 7.80%, 8.92% and 4.01% for the periods ended May 31, 2013, November 30, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
i Asset coverage per share equals net assets of common shares plus the liquidation value of the preferred shares divided by the total number of preferred shares outstanding at the end of the period.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
*** Amount is less than $.005.
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as a closed-end, diversified management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, and credit risk). Level 3 includes 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.
 
Municipal debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund's Board, whose valuations are intended to reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, the securities are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and asked quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from one or more broker-dealers. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics and other data, as well as broker quotes. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors used in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
New Accounting Pronouncement. In January 2013, Accounting Standard Update 2013-01 (ASU 2013-01), Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, replaced Accounting Standards Update 2011-11 (ASU 2011-11), Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2013-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. ASU 2011-11 was intended to enhance disclosure requirements on the offsetting of financial assets and liabilities. The ASU 2013-01 limits the scope of the new balance sheet offsetting disclosures to derivatives, repurchase agreements, and securities lending transactions to the extent that they are (1) offset in the financial statements or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. Management is currently evaluating the application of ASU 2013-01 and its impact, if any, on the Fund's financial statements.
 
When Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. At the time the Fund enters into a purchase transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
 
Inverse Floaters. The Fund invests in inverse floaters. Inverse floaters are debt instruments with a weekly floating rate of interest that bears an inverse relationship to changes in the short-term interest rate market. Inverse floaters are created by depositing a fixed-rate municipal bond into a special purpose trust (the "Trust"). In turn the Trust issues a short-term floating rate note and an inverse floater. The income stream from the underlying bond in the Trust is divided between the floating rate note and the inverse floater. The income provided by the inverse floater bears an inverse relationship with the short-term rate paid to the floating rate note holder. The short-term floating rate note is issued in a face amount equal to some fraction of the underlying bond's par amount and is paid to a third party, usually a tax-exempt money market fund, at rates that generally reset weekly. The inverse floater earns all of the interest from the underlying fixed-rate bond less the amount of interest paid on the floating rate note and the expenses of the Trust. The inverse floater represents an investment in the underlying bond on a leveraged basis; the Fund bears all of the price risk of the underlying bond in the Trust and receives all the benefits from any potential appreciation of the underlying bond's value. The floating rate notes issued by the Trust are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
 
By holding the inverse floater, the Fund has the right to collapse the Trust by causing the holders of the floating rate instrument to tender their notes at par and have the broker transfer the underlying bond to the Fund. The floating rate note holder can also elect to tender the note for redemption at par at each reset date. The Fund accounts for these transactions as a form of secured borrowing, by reflecting the value of the underlying bond in the investments of the Fund and the amount owed to the floating rate note holder as a liability under the caption "Payable for floating rate notes issued" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Income earned on the underlying bond is included in interest income, and interest paid on the floaters and the expenses of the Trust are included in "Interest expense" in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, interest expense related to floaters amounted to $37,249.
 
The Fund may enter into shortfall and forbearance agreements by which the Fund agrees to reimburse the Trust, in certain circumstances, for the difference between the liquidation value of the underlying bond held by the Trust and the liquidation value of the floating rate notes plus any shortfalls in interest cash flows. This could potentially expose the Fund to losses in excess of the value of the Fund's inverse floater investments. In addition, the value of inverse floaters may decrease significantly when interest rates increase. The market for inverse floaters may be more volatile and less liquid than other municipal bonds of comparable maturity. The Trust could be terminated outside of the Fund's control, resulting in a reduction of leverage and disposal of portfolio investments at inopportune times and prices. Investments in inverse floaters generally involve greater risk than in an investment in fixed-rate bonds.
 
The weighted average outstanding daily balance of the floating rate notes during the six months ended May 31, 2013 was approximately $10,615,000, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.70%.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt income to its shareholders.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At November 30, 2012, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $1,256,000, including $367,000 of pre-enactment losses, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until November 30, 2019, the expiration date, whichever occurs first; and $889,000 of post-enactment long-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of November 30, 2012 and has determined that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund are declared and distributed to shareholders monthly. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed, and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss and accretion of market discount on debt securities. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Preferred Shares. At May 31, 2013, the Fund had issued and outstanding 2,419 floating rate municipal preferred shares ("MTPS") and 381 Series T municipal auction rate cumulative preferred shares ("ARPS"), each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share. With respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Fund, the MTPS and the ARPS rank on parity with each other, and are both senior in priority to the Fund's outstanding common shares.
 
The MTPS are a floating rate form of preferred shares with a term redemption date of December 1, 2015, unless extended, as a general matter, by the holders of the MTPS, and dividends that are set weekly to a fixed spread (dependent on the then current credit rating of the MTPS) against the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") Municipal Swap Index. The average annualized dividend rate on the MTPS for the six months ended May 31, 2013 was 1.23%. In the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities, the MTPS' aggregate liquidation preference is shown as a liability since the MTPS have a stated mandatory redemption date. Dividends paid on the MTPS are treated as interest expense and recorded as incurred. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, interest expense related to MTPS amounted to $371,752.
 
APRS are preferred shares whose dividend rate is set through a "Dutch" auction process, and the dividends are generally paid every seven days. An auction fails if there are more ARPS offered for sale than there are buyers. Since February 2008, auctions for the ARPS have failed. Under the terms of the ARPS designation statement, in the event of a failed auction, the ARPS' dividend rate adjusts to a "maximum rate." Based on current ARPS ratings, the maximum rate is 110% times the higher of the "Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate" (defined as the approximate taxable yield equivalent of the yield on short-term municipal securities derived by reference to a specified index) and the applicable AA Composite Commercial Paper Rate. During the year ended November 30, 2012, the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate was calculated by reference to the S&P Weekly High Grade Index. S&P Capital IQ subsequently ceased production of the S&P Weekly High Grade Index, and on January 8, 2013, the Fund announced the designation of the S&P Municipal Bond 7 Day High Grade Rate Index as the successor index to the S&P Weekly High Grade Index for purposes of calculating the Taxable Equivalent of the Short-Term Municipal Bond Rate. ARPS shareholders may offer their shares for sale at the next scheduled auction, subject to the same risk that the subsequent auction will not attract sufficient demand for a successful auction to occur. Broker-dealers may also try to facilitate secondary trading in the ARPS, although such secondary trading may be limited and may only be available for shareholders willing to sell at a discount. While prolonged auction failures have affected the liquidity for the ARPS, a failed auction does not represent a default on or loss of capital of, the Fund's ARPS and the ARPS shareholders have continued to receive dividends at the previously defined "maximum rate." During the six months ended May 31, 2013, the ARPS dividend rates ranged from 0.131% to 0.377%. Prolonged auction failures may increase the cost of leverage to the Fund.
 
On September 27, 2012, the Fund announced that its Board of Trustees had authorized the Fund to conduct a tender offer for up to 100% of its then outstanding 2,800 shares of ARPS at a price equal to 96% of the ARPS' liquidation preference of $25,000 per share ($24,000 per share) plus any unpaid dividends accrued through the expiration date of the tender offer. The tender offer expired on November 16, 2012, and the Fund accepted for repurchase 2,419 shares of the Fund's ARPS (approximately 86.4% of the Fund's then outstanding ARPS) with an aggregate liquidation preference of $60,475,000 for an aggregate purchase price of $58,056,000. On November 20, 2012, the Fund issued 2,419 MTPS in a private offering, each with a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, for an aggregate liquidation preference of $60,475,000. The proceeds from the issuance of the MTPS were used to complete the purchase of ARPS accepted for purchase in the tender offer. The total liquidation preference of the Fund's outstanding preferred shares, comprised of untendered ARPS and MTPS, remained unchanged as a result of the ARPS tender offer and the MTPS issuance.
 
The difference between the liquidation preference of the ARPS and the actual repurchase price of the tendered ARPS (i.e., the 4% discount on the per share liquidation preference of the tendered ARPS) was recognized by the Fund in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended November 30, 2012 as an increase in net assets applicable to common shares resulting from the tender of ARPS by the Fund. Costs directly related to the issuance of the MTPS have been deferred and are being amortized into expense over the life of the MTPS.
 
Under the terms of a Purchase Agreement between the Fund and the initial purchaser of the MTPS, the Fund is subject to various investment restrictions that are, in certain respects, more restrictive than those to which the Fund is otherwise subject in accordance with its investment objective and policies. Such restrictions may limit the investment flexibility that might otherwise be pursued by the Fund if the MTPS were not outstanding.
 
In addition, the Fund is subject to certain restrictions on its investments imposed by guidelines of the rating agencies that rate the ARPS and the MTPS. These guidelines may impose asset coverage or portfolio composition requirements that are more stringent than those imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act. Moreover, the Fund is required to maintain various asset coverage ratios with respect to the ARPS and the MTPS as defined in the Fund's charter documents and the 1940 Act. The Fund is not permitted to declare common share dividends unless the ARPS and the MTPS have a minimum asset coverage ratio of 200% at the time of declaration of the common share dividends after deducting the amount of such dividend.
 
The 1940 Act requires that the preferred shareholders of the Fund, voting as a separate class, have the right to: a) elect at least two trustees at all times, and b) elect a majority of the trustees at any time when dividends on the preferred shares are unpaid for two full years. Unless otherwise required by law or under the terms of the preferred shares, each preferred share is entitled to one vote and preferred shareholders will vote together with common shareholders as a single class.
 
Leverage involves risks and special considerations for the Fund's common shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of, and dividends on, the Fund's common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage; the risk that fluctuations in interest rates will reduce the return to common shareholders; and the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the Fund's common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the Fund's common shares. Changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio will be borne entirely by the common shareholders. If there is a net decrease (or increase) in the value of the Fund's investment portfolio, leverage will decrease (or increase) the net asset value per share to a greater extent than if leverage were not used. It is also possible that the Fund will be required to sell assets at a time when it would otherwise not do so, possibly at a loss, in order to redeem preferred shares to comply with asset coverage or other restrictions imposed by the rating agencies that rate the preferred shares. There is no assurance that the Fund's leveraging strategy will be successful.
 
Statement of Cash Flows. Information on financial transactions which have been settled through the receipt and disbursement of cash is presented in the Statement of Cash Flows. The cash amount shown in the Statement of Cash Flows represents the cash position at the Fund's custodian bank at May 31, 2013.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis and may include proceeds from litigation. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for financial reporting purposes, with the exception of securities in default of principal.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended May 31, 2013, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $28,124,233 and $29,053,975, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund. In addition to portfolio management services, the Advisor provides certain administrative services in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement. The management fee payable under the Investment Management Agreement is equal to an annual rate of 0.60% of the Fund's average weekly net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. Average weekly net assets, for purposes of determining the management fee, means the average weekly value of the total assets of the Fund, minus the sum of accrued liabilities of the Fund (other than the liquidation value of the ARPS and MTPS).
 
Service Provider Fees. DWS Investments Service Company ("DISC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DISC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DISC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DISC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the amount charged to the Fund by DISC aggregated $3,579, of which $1,896 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "reports to shareholders" aggregated $7,587, of which $6,488 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Other Related Parties. Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an affiliate of the Advisor, is the auction agent with respect to the ARPS. The auction agent pays each broker-dealer a service charge from funds provided by the Fund ("Auction Service Fee"). The Auction Service Fee charged to the Fund for the six months ended May 31, 2013 aggregated $12,085, of which $199 is unpaid.
 
In addition, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas charges an administration fee for the ARPS and the MTPS. For the six months ended May 31, 2013, the amount charged to the Fund by Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas included in the Statement of Operations under "other" aggregated $5,485, of which $486 is unpaid.
 
D. Share Repurchases
 
The Board has authorized the Fund to effect periodic repurchases of its outstanding shares in the open market from time to time when the Fund's shares trade at a discount to their net asset value. During the six months ended May 31, 2013 and the year ended November 30, 2012, the Fund did not repurchase shares in the open market.
 
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
 
A summary of the Fund's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan") is set forth below. Shareholders may obtain a copy of the entire Plan by visiting the Fund's Web site at www.dws-investments.com or by writing or calling DWS Investment Service Company ("DISC") at:
 
P.O. Box 219066
 
Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9066
 
(800) 294-4366
 
If you wish to participate in the Plan and your shares are held in your own name, simply contact DISC for the appropriate form. If your shares are held in the name of a broker or other nominee, you should contact the broker or nominee in whose name your shares are held to determine whether and how you may participate in the Plan. The Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent") will establish a Dividend Investment Account (the "Account") for each shareholder participating in the Plan. The Transfer Agent will credit to the Account of each participant any cash dividends and capital gains distributions (collectively, "Distributions") paid on shares of the Fund (the "Shares"). Shares in a participant's Account are transferable upon proper written instructions to the Transfer Agent. Upon request to the Transfer Agent, a certificate for any or all full Shares in a participant's Account will be sent to the participant.
 
If, on the record date for a Distribution (the "Record Date"), Shares are trading at a discount from net asset value per Share, funds credited to a participant's Account will be used to purchase Shares (the "Purchase"). The Plan Agent (currently Computershare Inc.) will attempt, commencing five days prior to the Payment Date and ending at the close of business on the Payment Date ("Payment Date" as used herein shall mean the last business day of the month in which such Record Date occurs), to acquire Shares in the open market. If and to the extent that the Plan Agent is unable to acquire sufficient Shares to satisfy the Distribution by the close of business on the Payment Date, the Fund will issue to the Plan Agent, Shares valued at net asset value per Share in the aggregate amount of the remaining value of the Distribution. If, on the Record Date, Shares are trading at a premium over net asset value per Share, the Fund will issue on the Payment Date Shares valued at net asset value per Share on the Record Date to the Transfer Agent in the aggregate amount of the funds credited to the participants' Accounts. The Fund will increase the price at which Shares may be issued under the Plan to 95% of the fair market value of the shares on the Record Date if the net asset value per Share of the Shares on the Record Date is less than 95% of the fair market value of the Shares on the Record Date.
 
Although the Fund seeks income that is exempt from federal income tax, a portion of the Distributions may be subject to federal, state and local taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. The reinvestment of Distributions does not relieve the participant of any tax that many be payable on the Distributions. The Transfer Agent will report to each participant the taxable amount of Distributions credited to his or her account. Participants will be treated for federal income tax purposes as receiving the amount of the Distributions made by the Fund, which amount generally will be either equal to the amount of the cash distribution the shareholder would have received if the shareholder had elected to receive cash or, for shares issued by the Fund, the fair market value of the shares issued to the shareholder.
 
The cost of Shares acquired for each participant's Account in connection with a Purchase shall be determined by the average cost per Share, including brokerage commissions, of the Shares acquired in connection with that Purchase. There will be no brokerage charges with respect to Shares issued directly by the Fund as a result of Distributions. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to open market purchases. Brokerage charges for purchasing small amounts of Shares for individual Accounts through the Plan will probably be less than the usual brokerage charges for such transactions, as the Plan Agent will be purchasing Shares for all participants in blocks and prorating the lower commission thus attainable.
 
A participant may from time to time make voluntary cash contributions to his Account in a minimum amount of $100 (no more than $500 may be contributed per month). Participants making voluntary cash investments will be charged a $0.75 service fee for each such investment and will be responsible for their pro rata share of brokerage commissions. Please contact DISC for more information on voluntary cash contributions.
 
The Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan, including provisions with respect to any Distribution paid, subsequent to notice thereof sent to participants in the Plan at least ninety days before the record date for such Distribution, except when such amendment is necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules or policies of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority, in which case such amendment shall be effective as soon as practicable. The Plan may be terminated by the Fund.
 
Shareholders may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving the Transfer Agent a written notice. A notice of withdrawal will be effective for the next Distribution following receipt of the notice by the Transfer Agent provided the notice is received by the Transfer Agent at least ten days prior to the Record Date for the Distribution. When a participant withdraws from the Plan, or when the Plan is terminated by the Fund, the participant will receive a certificate for full Shares in the Account, plus a check for any fractional Shares based on market price; or, if a participant so desires, the Transfer Agent will notify the Plan Agent to sell his Shares in the Plan and send the proceeds to the participant, less brokerage commissions and a $2.50 service fee.
 
Shareholders will receive tax information annually for personal records and to assist in preparation of their federal income tax returns.
 
Additional Information
     
Automated Information Line
 
DWS Investments Closed-End Fund Info Line
(800) 349-4281
Web Site
 
www.dws-investments.com
Obtain fact sheets, financial reports, press releases and webcasts when available.
Written Correspondence
 
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Legal Counsel
 
Vedder Price P.C.
222 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, IL 60601
Dividend Reinvestment Plan Agent
 
Computershare Inc.
P.O. Box 43078
Providence, RI 02940-3078
Shareholder Service Agent and Transfer Agent
 
DWS Investments Service Company
P.O. Box 219066
Kansas City, MO 64121-9066
(800) 294-4366
Custodian
 
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Lafayette Corporate Center
2 Avenue De Lafayette
Boston, MA 02111
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, MA 02116
Proxy Voting
 
The fund's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — www.dws-investments.com (click on "proxy voting"at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — www.sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the fund's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 

     
Portfolio Holdings
 
Following the fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. This form will be available on the SEC's Web site at www.sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The fund's portfolio holdings as of the month-end are posted on www.dws-investments.com on or after the last day of the following month. More frequent posting of portfolio holdings information may be made from time to time on www.dws-investments.com.
Investment Management
 
Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), which is part of Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management, is the investment advisor for the fund. DIMA and its predecessors have more than 80 years of experience managing mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory services to both institutional and retail clients.
DIMA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. Deutsche Bank AG is a major global banking institution engaged in a wide variety of financial services, including investment management, retail, private and commercial banking, investment banking and insurance.
DWS Investments is the retail brand name in the U.S. for the asset management activities of Deutsche Bank AG and DIMA. As such, DWS is committed to delivering the investing expertise, insight and resources of this global investment platform to American investors.
NYSE Symbol
 
KSM
 

CUSIP Number
 
Common Shares
23338T 101
   
Auction Rate Preferred Shares
23338T 200
 
Privacy Statement
FACTS
 
What Does DWS Investments Do With Your Personal Information?
Why?
 
Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?
 
The types of personal information we collect and share can include:
Social Security number
• Account balances
Purchase and transaction history
Bank account information
Contact information such as mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number
How?
 
All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information, the reasons DWS Investments chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.
 

Reasons we can share your personal information
Does DWS Investments share?
Can you limit this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes — such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders or legal investigations
Yes
No
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you
Yes
No
For joint marketing with other financial companies
No
We do not share
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences
No
We do not share
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
No
We do not share
For non-affiliates to market to you
No
We do not share
 

Questions?
Call (800) 728-3337 or e-mail us at dws-investments.info@dws.com
 

Who we are
Who is providing this notice?
 
DWS Investments Distributors, Inc.; Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.; DeAM Investor Services, Inc.; DWS Trust Company; the DWS Funds
What we do
How does DWS Investments protect my personal information?
 
To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.
How does DWS Investments collect my personal information?
 
We collect your personal information, for example. When you:
open an account
give us your contact information
provide bank account information for ACH or wire transactions
tell us where to send money
seek advice about your investments
Why can't I limit all sharing?
 
Federal law gives you the right to limit only
sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
affiliates from using your information to market to you
sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.
Definitions
Affiliates
 
Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial or non-financial companies. Our affiliates include financial companies with the DWS or Deutsche Bank ("DB") name, such as DB AG Frankfurt and DB Alex Brown.
Non-affiliates
 
Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
Non-affiliates we share with include account service providers, service quality monitoring services, mailing service providers and verification services to help in the fight against money laundering and fraud.
Joint marketing
 
A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. DWS Investments does not jointly market.
 

 
Rev. 09/2012
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
Notes
 
 
   
ITEM 2.
CODE OF ETHICS
   
 
Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 4.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 5.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 6.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 9.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
   
Period
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
(d)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 1 through December 31
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
January 1 through January 31
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
February 1 through February 28
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
March 1 through March 31
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
April 1 through April 30
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
May 1 through May 31
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 n/a
Total
 -
 
n/a
 
n/a
 
 
               
The Fund may from time to time repurchase shares in the open market.
   
ITEM 10.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
 
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Kenneth C. Froewiss, Independent Chairman, DWS Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 78, Short Hills, NJ 07078.
   
ITEM 11.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
 
(a)
The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
 
(b)
There have been 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 controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12.
EXHIBITS
   
 
(a)(1)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
 
(b)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


Form N-CSRS Item F

SIGNATURES

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

Registrant:
DWS Strategic Municipal Income Trust
   
   
By:
/s/W. Douglas Beck
W. Douglas Beck
President
   
Date:
July 29, 2013

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

By:
/s/W. Douglas Beck
W. Douglas Beck
President
   
Date:
July 29, 2013
   
   
   
By:
/s/Paul Schubert
Paul Schubert
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   
Date:
July 29, 2013