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Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, et al. – ‘485BPOS’ on 3/4/15

On:  Wednesday, 3/4/15, at 5:20pm ET   ·   Effective:  3/4/15   ·   Accession #:  1104659-15-16750   ·   File #s:  2-89729, 811-03980

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 3/04/15  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     3/04/15    8:2.5M                                   Merrill Corp-MD/FAGlobal Multi-Asset Income Portfolio Class A (MSGOX) — Class I (MSGMX) — Class IS (MSMUX) — Class L

Post-Effective Amendment
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 485BPOS     Post-Effective Amendment                            HTML    984K 
 2: EX-99.(D)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     31K 
 3: EX-99.(G)   Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML    445K 
 4: EX-99.(H)(2)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML    309K 
 5: EX-99.(I)(20)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                            HTML     16K 
 6: EX-99.(M)(1)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     25K 
 7: EX-99.(M)(2)  Miscellaneous Exhibit                             HTML     28K 
 8: EX-99.(N)   Miscellaneous Exhibit                               HTML     49K 


485BPOS   —   Post-Effective Amendment


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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2015

1933 Act File No. 2-89729
1940 Act File No. 811-03980

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
  UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933  
x

  Pre-Effective Amendment No.  o

  Post-Effective Amendment No. 127  x

and/or

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY  

  ACT OF 1940  x

  Amendment No. 130  x

Morgan Stanley
Institutional Fund Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 548-7786

Joseph C. Benedetti, Esq.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copy to:

Carl Frischling, Esq.
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
  Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

       

X

 

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

 
               

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

 
               

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 
               

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 
               

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

 
               

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.

 

  If appropriate, check the following box:

               

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously

 
               

filed post-effective amendment.

 



INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust

Global
Multi-Asset
Income
Portfolio

Prospectus

March 4, 2015

Global Multi-Asset Income

  Ticker
Symbol
 

Class I

 

MSGMX

 

Class A

 

MSGOX

 

Class L

 

 

Class IS

 

MSMUX

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.



Table of Contents

   

Page

 

Portfolio Summary

   

1

   

Details of the Portfolio

   

6

   
Additional Information about the Portfolio's Investment
Strategies and Related Risks
   

10

   

Fund Management

   

16

   

Shareholder Information

   

17

   

Financial Highlights

   

27

   



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Portfolio Summary

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

Objective

The Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio's (the "Portfolio") investment objective is to maximize current income and to seek capital appreciation over time.

Fees and Expenses

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. For purchases of Class A shares, you may qualify for a sales charge discount if the cumulative net asset value ("NAV") of Class A shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of all Class A shares of other portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (the "Fund") or Class A shares of other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege") held in Related Accounts (as defined in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares"), amounts to $25,000 or more. More information about this combined purchase discount and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in the section of this Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares."

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

   

Class I

 

Class A

 

Class L

 

Class IS

 
Maximum sales charge
(load) imposed on
purchases (as a
percentage of
offering price)
   

None

     

5.25

%

   

None

     

None

   
Maximum deferred sales
charge (load) (as a
percentage based on
the lesser of the
offering price or NAV
at redemption)
   

None

     

None†

     

None

     

None

   

Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

   

Class I

 

Class A

 

Class L

 

Class IS

 

Advisory Fee

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

   

0.65

%

 
Distribution and/or
Shareholder Service
(12b-1) Fee
   

None

     

0.25

%

   

0.75

%

   

None

   

Other Expenses‡

   

1.20

%

   

1.26

%

   

1.31

%

   

1.85

%

 
Total Annual Portfolio
Operating Expenses*
   

1.85

%

   

2.16

%

   

2.71

%

   

2.50

%

 
Fee Waiver and/or
Expense Reimbursement*
   

0.90

%

   

0.90

%

   

0.91

%

   

1.60

%

 
Total Annual Portfolio
Operating Expenses
After Fee Waiver and/or
Expense Reimbursement*
   

0.95

%

   

1.26

%

   

1.80

%

   

0.90

%

 

Example

The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio, your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

   

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

Class I

 

$

97

   

$

303

   

Class A

 

$

647

   

$

904

   

Class L

 

$

183

   

$

566

   

Class IS

 

$

92

   

$

287

   

†  Investments that are not subject to any sales charges at the time of purchase are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1.00% that will be imposed if you sell your shares within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase, except for certain specific circumstances. See "Shareholder Information—How to Redeem Shares—CDSC on Class A Shares" for further information about the CDSC waiver categories.

‡  Other expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year.

*  The Portfolio's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Portfolio so that Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.95% for Class I, 1.30% for Class A, 1.80% for Class L and 0.90% for Class IS. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Total Annual Portfolio Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio's performance.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in a blend of equity and fixed income securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance current income. The Adviser will seek to generate income through (1) a global multi-asset core portfolio, (2) high yielding


1



Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (Cont'd)

investments and (3) an option writing strategy. The amount of the Portfolio's assets committed to any investment category will fluctuate and, as a result, at any given time the Portfolio's assets may be invested in certain categories and not others.

Equity securities may include common and preferred stocks, depositary receipts, convertible securities, equity-linked securities, real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), rights and warrants to purchase equity securities and limited partnership interests. Fixed income securities may include mortgage-related or mortgage-backed securities, floating rate securities, inflation-linked fixed income securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, securities issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, corporate bonds and notes issued by U.S. and non-U.S. entities.

In selecting individual securities for the Portfolio, the Adviser will utilize a top-down investment approach that focuses on asset class, sector, region, country and currency selection. The Portfolio's allocations will be based upon the Adviser's evaluations and analyses, taking into account its fundamental investment research, primarily driven by quantitative macroeconomic and market data. Investment decisions will be made without regard to any particular allocation as to geographical location, sector, credit rating, maturity, currency denomination or market capitalization. The Portfolio may invest in any country, including developing or emerging market countries. The Portfolio's investments may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

A portion of the Portfolio's investments will normally be allocated to higher yielding investments, which, based upon the Adviser's analysis, have the potential to generate premium yield to the equity market yield. This portion of the Portfolio's portfolio may include, but is not limited to, high quality, dividend paying stocks, investment grade and below investment grade fixed income securities, foreign and emerging markets debt, convertible securities, limited partnerships and REITs.

In executing the option writing strategy of the Portfolio, the Adviser will write (i.e., sell) call options and/or put options on equity securities in the Portfolio's portfolio (i.e., covered) and on broad based equity indices, exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") and/or baskets of securities in an attempt to generate current income from option premiums as a means of enhancing distributions paid to shareholders. Options written by the Portfolio may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or over-the-counter ("OTC"). Under normal market conditions, the Adviser expects to write call options and put options in an amount up to 40% and 20%, respectively, of the value of the Portfolio's assets.

The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in repurchase agreements and fixed income securities that are rated below "investment grade" or are not rated, but are of equivalent quality. These fixed income securities are often referred to as "high yield securities" or "junk bonds." High yield securities are fixed income securities rated below Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or below BBB- by Standard & Poor's Rating Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P"), or if unrated considered by the Adviser to be an appropriate investment for the Portfolio.

The mortgage-backed securities in which the Portfolio may invest include mortgage pass-through securities which represent a participation interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders such as bank. The Portfolio may also invest in restricted and illiquid securities.

In addition to the option writing strategy discussed above, the Portfolio may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. The Portfolio's use of derivatives may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments such as futures, swaps and structured investments, and other related instruments and techniques. The Portfolio may utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts, which are also derivatives, in connection with its investments in foreign securities. Derivative instruments used by the Portfolio will be counted toward the Portfolio's exposure to the types of securities listed above to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to such securities.

Principal Risks

There is no assurance that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective and you can lose money investing in this Portfolio. The principal risks of investing in the Portfolio include:

•  Equity Securities. In general, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities fluctuate, and sometimes widely fluctuate, in response to activities specific to the issuer of the security as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions. To the extent that the Portfolio invests in convertible securities, and the convertible security's investment value is greater than its conversion value, its price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying security.


2



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Portfolio Summary

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (Cont'd)

•  Fixed Income Securities. Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). The historically low interest rate environment increases the risk associated with rising interest rates, including the potential for periods of volatility and increased redemptions. The Portfolio may face a heightened level of interest rate risk, especially since the Federal Reserve Board has ended its quantitative easing program and may begin to raise rates. The Portfolio may be subject to certain liquidity risks, which may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities. The Portfolio is not limited as to the maturities (when a debt security provides its final payment) or durations (measure of interest rate sensitivity) of the securities in which it may invest. Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. To the extent that the Portfolio invests in convertible securities, and the convertible security's investment value is greater than its conversion value, its price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying security.

•  High Yield Securities ("Junk Bonds"). The Portfolio's investments in high yield securities expose it to a substantial degree of credit risk. High yield securities may be issued by companies that are restructuring, are smaller and less creditworthy or are more highly indebted than other companies, and therefore they may have more difficulty making scheduled payments of principal and interest. High yield securities may experience reduced liquidity, and sudden and substantial decreases in price. An economic downturn affecting an issuer of high yield securities may result in an increased incidence of default. In the event of a default, the Portfolio may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.

•  Mortgage Securities. Investments in mortgage securities are subject to the risk that if interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected which may adversely affect the Portfolio's return. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average

life and volatility of mortgage securities will increase and market price will decrease. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other traditional types of debt securities. In addition, an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Portfolio. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages.

•  REITs. Investing in REITs exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs are organized and operated. Operating REITs requires specialized management skills and the Portfolio indirectly bears management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Portfolio. REITs are also subject to certain provisions under federal tax law and the failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Portfolio.

•  Foreign and Emerging Market Securities. Investments in foreign markets entail special risks such as currency, political, economic and market risks. There also may be greater market volatility, less reliable financial information, higher transaction and custody costs, decreased market liquidity and less government and exchange regulation associated with investments in foreign markets. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than risks associated with investments in foreign developed countries. In addition, the Portfolio's investments may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of the investment will fluctuate with the U.S. dollar exchange rates. To the extent hedged by the use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the precise matching of the foreign currency forward exchange contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. There is additional risk that such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that foreign


3



Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (Cont'd)

currency forward exchange contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Portfolio's securities are not denominated. The use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract.

•  U.S. Government Securities. The U.S. government securities in which the Portfolio invests can be subject to two types of risk: credit risk and interest rate risk. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up. While the credit risk associated with U.S. government securities generally is considered to be minimal, the interest rate risk can be substantial. With respect to U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, there is the risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law.

•  Liquidity. The Portfolio's investments in restricted and illiquid securities may entail greater risk than investments in publicly traded securities. These securities may be more difficult to sell, particularly in times of market turmoil. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value. If the Portfolio is forced to sell an illiquid security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss.

•  Option Writing Strategy. Writing call options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to sell the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or below the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a call option, the Portfolio forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security or instrument covering the option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price, but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security or instrument decline. Additionally, the Portfolio's call option writing strategy may not fully protect it against declines in the value of the market.

During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or falling, or in a modestly rising market where the income from premiums exceeds the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its call option writing

strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in rising markets where the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a call writing strategy could significantly underperform the same portfolio without such an options writing strategy.

Writing put options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to buy the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or above the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. While the Portfolio's potential gain in writing a put option is limited to the premium received plus the interest earned on the liquid assets covering the put option, the Portfolio's risk of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security or instrument, offset only by the amount of the premium received. The Portfolio will also incur a form of economic leverage through its use of call and put options, which will increase the volatility of the Portfolio's returns and may increase the risk of loss to the Portfolio.

During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or rising, or in a modestly falling market where the income from premium exceeds the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its put option writing strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in declining markets where the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a put writing strategy could significantly underperform the same portfolio without the options writing strategy.

There are special risks associated with uncovered option writing which expose the Portfolio to potentially significant loss. As the seller of an uncovered call option, the Portfolio bears unlimited risk of loss should the price of the underlying security increase above the exercise price until the Portfolio covers its exposure. As with writing uncovered calls, the risk of writing uncovered put options is substantial. The seller of an uncovered put option bears a risk of loss if the value of the underlying instrument declines below the exercise price. Such loss could be substantial if there is a significant decline in the value of the underlying instrument.

•  Derivatives. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions,


4



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Portfolio Summary

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (Cont'd)

magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss.

Shares of the Portfolio are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

Performance Information

As of the date hereof, the Portfolio has not yet completed a full calendar year of investment operations. Upon the completion of a full calendar year of investment operations by the Portfolio, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to a benchmark index selected for the Portfolio. Performance information for the Portfolio will be available online at www.morganstanley.com/im.

Fund Management

Adviser. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Portfolio Managers. The Portfolio is managed by members of the Global Multi-Asset team. Information about the members jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio is shown below:

Name

 

Title with Adviser

  Date Began
Managing
Portfolio
 

Cyril Moullé-Berteaux

 

Managing Director

 

March 2015

 

Mark A. Bavoso

 

Managing Director

 

March 2015

 

Sergei Parmenov

 

Managing Director

 

March 2015

 

Purchase and Sale of Portfolio Shares

Class L shares of the Portfolio are not being offered at this time. You do not currently have the option of purchasing Class L shares.

The minimum initial investment generally is $5,000,000 for Class I shares and $1,000 for each of Class A and Class L shares of the Portfolio. To purchase Class IS shares, an investor must meet a minimum

initial investment of $10,000,000 or be a defined contribution, defined benefit or other employer sponsored employee benefit plan with minimum plan assets of $250,000,000, whether or not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), in each case subject to the discretion of the Adviser. The minimum initial investment may be waived for certain investments. For more information, please refer to the section of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—Minimum Investment Amounts."

Class A, Class I, Class L and Class IS shares may be purchased or sold on any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business directly from the Fund by mail (c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas City, MO 64121-9804), by telephone (1-800-548-7786) or by contacting an authorized third-party, such as a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary that has entered into a selling agreement with the Portfolio's "Distributor," Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (each a "Financial Intermediary"). In addition, you can sell Portfolio shares at any time by enrolling in a systematic withdrawal plan. If you sell Class A shares, your net sale proceeds are reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC. For more information, please refer to the sections of the Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Information—How to Purchase Portfolio Shares" and "—How to Redeem Portfolio Shares."

Tax Information

The Portfolio intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase Class I, Class A or Class L shares of the Portfolio through a Financial Intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Portfolio shares and related services. These payments, which may be significant in amount, may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Financial Intermediary's web site for more information.


5




Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

Objective

The Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio's investment objective is to maximize current income and to seek capital appreciation over time.

Approach

The Adviser seeks to achieve the Portfolio's investment objective by investing primarily in a blend of equity and fixed income securities of U.S. and non-U.S. issuers and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance current distributions. The Adviser will seek to generate income through (1) a global multi-asset core portfolio, (2) high yielding investments and (3) an option writing strategy. The amount of the Portfolio's assets committed to any investment category will fluctuate and, as a result, at any given time the Portfolio's assets may be invested in certain categories and not others.

Equity securities may include common and preferred stocks, depositary receipts, convertible securities, equity-linked securities, REITs, rights and warrants to purchase equity securities and limited partnership interests. Fixed income securities may include mortgage-related or mortgage-backed securities, floating rate securities, inflation-linked fixed income securities, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, securities issued or guaranteed by non-U.S. governments, their agencies or instrumentalities, corporate bonds and notes issued by U.S. and non-U.S. entities.

A portion of the Portfolio's investments will normally be allocated to higher yielding investments, which, based upon the Adviser's analysis, have the potential to generate premium yield to the equity market yield. This portion of the Portfolio's portfolio may include, but is not limited to, high quality, dividend paying stocks, investment grade and below investment grade fixed income securities, foreign and emerging markets debt, convertible securities, limited partnerships and REITs.

In executing the option writing strategy of the Portfolio, the Adviser will write (i.e., sell) call options and/or put options on equity securities in the Portfolio's portfolio (i.e., covered) and on broad based equity indices, ETFs and/or baskets of securities in an attempt to generate current income from option premiums as a means of enhancing distributions paid to shareholders. Options written by the Portfolio may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or OTC. Under normal market conditions, the Adviser expects to write call options and put options in an amount up to 40% and 20%, respectively, of the value of the Portfolio's assets.

As the writer of a call option, the Portfolio receives the premium from the purchaser of the option. If the purchaser exercises the option, the Portfolio pays the purchaser the difference between the price of the underlying security or instrument and the exercise price of the

option. If the option expires without being exercised, the Portfolio is not required to deliver the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value), but retains the premium received.

As the writer of a put option, the Portfolio receives the premium from the purchaser of the option. The Portfolio has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to pay the exercise price and receive delivery of the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value). If the option expires without being exercised, the Portfolio is not required to receive the underlying security or instrument in exchange for the exercise price and retains the option premium.

The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in repurchase agreements and fixed income securities that are rated below "investment grade" or are not rated, but are of equivalent quality. These fixed income securities are often referred to as "high yield securities" or "junk bonds." High yield securities are fixed income securities rated below Baa by Moody's or below BBB by S&P, or if unrated considered by the Adviser to be an appropriate investment for the Portfolio.

The mortgage-backed securities in which the Portfolio may invest include mortgage pass-through securities which represent a participation interest in a pool of mortgage loans originated by U.S. governmental or private lenders such as banks. The Portfolio may also invest in restricted and illiquid securities.

In addition to the option writing strategies discussed above, the Portfolio may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. The Portfolio's use of derivatives may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments such as futures, options, swaps and structured investments (including commodity-linked notes), and other related instruments and techniques. The Portfolio may utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts, which are also derivatives, in connection with its investments in foreign securities. Derivative instruments used by the Portfolio will be counted toward the Portfolio's exposure to the types of securities listed above to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to such securities.

Process

In selecting individual securities for the Portfolio, the Adviser will utilize a top-down investment approach that focuses on asset class, sector, region, country and currency selection. The Portfolio's allocations will be based upon the Adviser's evaluations and analyses, taking into account its fundamental investment research, primarily driven by quantitative macroeconomic and market data. Investment decisions will be made without regard to any particular allocation as to geographical location, sector,


6



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Details of the Portfolio

Global Multi-Asset Income
Portfolio
(Cont'd)

credit rating, maturity, currency denomination or market capitalization. The Portfolio may invest in any country, including developing or emerging market countries. The Portfolio's investments may be denominated in U.S. dollars or in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

In implementing the Portfolio's option writing strategy, the Adviser will generally seek to write put and call options on broad-based equity securities indices that are broadly representative of the Portfolio's underlying equity portfolio. The Adviser will write individual options based on its investment views on an index, the income generating potential for the option and the liquidity of the option.

Principal Risks

The Portfolio's principal investment strategies are subject to the following principal risks:

The Portfolio is subject to various risks that could adversely affect its NAV, yield and total return. It is possible for an investor to lose money by investing in the Portfolio.

In general, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities fluctuate, and sometimes widely fluctuate, in response to activities specific to the issuer of the security as well as factors unrelated to the fundamental condition of the issuer, including general market, economic and political conditions.

The Portfolio is subject to the risks of investing in fixed income securities, which are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). The historically low interest rate environment increases the risk associated with rising interest rates, including the potential for periods of volatility and increased redemptions. The Portfolio may face a heightened level of interest rate risk, especially since the Federal Reserve Board has ended its quantitative easing program and may begin to raise rates. The Portfolio may be subject to certain liquidity risks, which may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities. The Portfolio is not limited as to the maturities (when a debt security provides its final payment) or durations (measure of interest rate sensitivity) of the securities in which it may invest. Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Securities with greater spread durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in spreads

between U.S. Treasury and non-Treasury securities, generally making them more volatile than securities with lesser spread durations. Spread duration measures the change in the value of a security (or portfolio) for a given change in the interest rate spread (difference) between Treasury and non-Treasury securities. Prices of fixed income securities generally will move in correlation to changes in an issuer's credit rating and inversely to movements in interest rates. Lower rated fixed income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. To the extent that the Portfolio invests in convertible securities, and the convertible security's investment value is greater than its conversion value, its price will be likely to increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. If the conversion value exceeds the investment value, the price of the convertible security will tend to fluctuate directly with the price of the underlying security.

The Portfolio's investments in high yield securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds") expose it to a substantial degree of credit risk. These investments are considered speculative under traditional investment standards. High yield securities range from those for which the prospect for repayment of principal and interest is predominantly speculative to those which are currently in default on principal or interest payments. High yield securities may be issued by companies that are restructuring, are smaller and less creditworthy or are more highly indebted than other companies. This means that they may have more difficulty making scheduled payments of principal and interest. Prices of high yield securities will rise and fall primarily in response to actual or perceived changes in the issuer's financial health, although changes in market interest rates also will affect prices. High yield securities may experience reduced liquidity and sudden and substantial decreases in price. An economic downturn affecting an issuer of high yield securities may result in an increased incidence of default. In the event of a default, the Fund may incur additional expenses to seek recovery.

Mortgage-backed securities entail prepayment risk, which generally increases during a period of falling interest rates. The Portfolio's return may be reduced if prepayments occur and the Portfolio has to reinvest at lower interest rates. Prepayment rates can also shorten or extend the average life of the Portfolio's mortgage securities. Rates of prepayment, faster or slower than anticipated by the Adviser, could result in reduced yields, increased volatility and/or reductions in NAV. Certain mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than other traditional types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed securities are also subject to the risk of delinquencies on mortgage loans underlying such securities and an unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely


7



Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (Cont'd)

affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Portfolio. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages.

REITs pool investors' funds for investments primarily in real estate properties. Like mutual funds, REITs have expenses, including advisory and administration fees, that are paid by their shareholders. As a result, shareholders will absorb duplicate levels of fees when the Portfolio invests in REITs. The performance of any Portfolio's REIT holdings ultimately depends on the types of real property in which the REITs invest and how well the property is managed. A general downturn in real estate values also can hurt REIT performance. In addition, REITs are subject to certain provisions under federal tax law. The failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Portfolio, including significantly reducing return to the Portfolio on its investment in such company.

Investing in the securities of foreign issuers, particularly those located in emerging market or developing countries, entails the risk that news and events unique to a country or region will affect those markets and their issuers. The value of the Portfolio's shares may vary widely in response to political and economic factors affecting companies in foreign countries. These same events will not necessarily have an effect on the U.S. economy or similar issuers located in the United States. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions.

The Portfolio's investments in foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies and therefore, to the extent unhedged, the value of the investment will fluctuate with the U.S. dollar exchange rates. To the extent hedged by the use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the precise matching of the foreign currency forward exchange contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible because the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date on which the contract is entered into and the date it matures. Furthermore, such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken. There is additional risk to the extent that foreign currency forward exchange contracts create exposure to currencies in which the Portfolio's securities

are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for the Portfolio than if it had not entered into such contracts. The use of foreign currency forward exchange contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract.

The U.S. government securities in which the Portfolio invests can be subject to two types of risk: credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a security will be unable to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt. Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up. While the credit risk associated with U.S. government securities generally is considered to be minimal, the interest rate risk can be substantial. Thus, a rise in the general level of interest rates may cause the price of the Portfolio's securities to fall substantially. The Portfolio may purchase U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. With respect to these U.S. government securities, there is the risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Portfolio may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

The Portfolio's investments in restricted and illiquid securities may entail greater risk than investments in publicly traded securities. These securities may be more difficult to sell, particularly in times of market turmoil. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to value. If the Portfolio is forced to sell an illiquid security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss.

There are several risks associated with transactions in options on an underlying security or instrument used in connection with the Portfolio's option writing strategy. There are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.


8



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Details of the Portfolio

Global Multi-Asset Income
Portfolio
(Cont'd)

Writing call options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to sell the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or below the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a call option, the Portfolio forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security or instrument covering the option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security or instrument decline. Additionally, the Portfolio's call option writing strategy may not fully protect it against declines in the value of the market.

During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or falling, or in a modestly rising market where the income from premiums exceeds the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its call option writing strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in rising markets where the aggregate appreciation of the underlying security or instrument over its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a call writing strategy could significantly underperform the same portfolio without such an options writing strategy.

Writing put options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to buy the underlying security or instrument (or settle in cash an amount of equal value) at a disadvantageous price or above the market price of such underlying security or instrument, at the time the option is exercised. While the Portfolio's potential gain in writing a put option is limited to the premium received plus the interest earned on the liquid assets covering the put option, the Portfolio's risks of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security or instrument, offset only by the amount of the premium received. The Portfolio will also incur a form of economic leverage through its use of call and put options, which will increase the volatility of the Portfolio's returns and may increase the risk of loss to the Portfolio.

During periods in which equity markets are generally unchanged or rising, or in a modestly falling market where the income from premium exceeds the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price, a diversified portfolio receiving premiums from its put option writing strategy may outperform the same portfolio without such an options strategy. However, in declining markets where the aggregate depreciation of the underlying security or instrument below its exercise price exceeds the income from premiums, a portfolio with a put writing strategy

could significantly underperform the same portfolio without such an options writing strategy.

There are special risks associated with uncovered option writing which expose the Portfolio to potentially significant loss. As the seller of an uncovered call option, the Portfolio bears unlimited risk of loss should the price of the underlying security increase above the exercise price until the Portfolio covers its exposure. As with writing uncovered calls, the risk of writing uncovered put options is substantial. The seller of an uncovered put option bears a risk of loss if the value of the underlying instrument declines below the exercise price. Such loss could be substantial if there is a significant decline in the value of the underlying instrument.

Unusual market conditions or the lack of a ready market for any particular option at a specific time may reduce the effectiveness of the Portfolio's option writing strategy. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Portfolio seeks to enter or close out an option position. The value of the options may be adversely affected if the market for the options becomes less liquid or smaller. If the Portfolio were unable to close out a covered call option that it had written on a security or instrument, it would not be able to sell the underlying security or instrument unless the option expired without exercise. In addition, the premiums the Portfolio receives for writing options may decrease as a result of a number of factors, including a reduction in interest rates generally, a decline in stock market volumes or a decrease in the price volatility of an underlying security or instrument.

The use of options will also increase the Portfolio's transaction costs. Options written by the Portfolio may be traded on either U.S. or foreign exchanges or OTC. Foreign and OTC options may present greater possibility of loss due to potential illiquidity and credit risks.

A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which they relate, and risks that the transactions may not be liquid. Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss.

Please see "Additional Information about the Portfolio's Investment Strategies and Related Risks" for further information about these and other risks of investing in the Portfolio.


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This section discusses additional information relating to the Portfolio's investment strategies, other types of investments that the Portfolio may make and related risk factors. The Portfolio's investment practices and limitations are also described in more detail in the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI"), which is incorporated by reference and legally is a part of this Prospectus. For details on how to obtain a copy of the SAI and other reports and information, see the back cover of this Prospectus.

Equity Securities

Equity securities may include common and preferred stocks, convertible securities and equity-linked securities, rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, depositary receipts, limited partnership interests and other specialty securities having equity features. The Portfolio may invest in equity securities that are publicly-traded on securities exchanges or OTC or in equity securities that are not publicly traded. Securities that are not publicly traded may be more difficult to sell and their value may fluctuate more dramatically than other securities. The prices of convertible securities are affected by changes similar to those of equity and fixed income securities.

Depositary receipts involve many of the same risks as those associated with direct investment in foreign securities. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, right, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation's capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities.

Fixed Income Securities

Fixed income securities are securities that pay a fixed or a variable rate of interest until a stated maturity date. Fixed income securities include U.S. government securities,

securities issued by federal or federally sponsored agencies and instrumentalities ("agencies"), corporate bonds and notes, asset-backed securities, mortgage securities, high yield securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds" or high risk securities), municipal bonds, loan participations and assignments, zero coupon bonds, convertible securities, Eurobonds, Brady Bonds, Yankee Bonds, securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or supranational organizations or any of their instrumentalities, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and cash equivalents.

Fixed income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer's inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. Fixed income securities may be called (i.e., redeemed by the issuer) prior to final maturity. If a callable security is called, the Portfolio may have to reinvest the proceeds at a lower rate of interest.

Duration

The average duration of a portfolio of fixed income securities represents its exposure to changing interest rates. For example, when the level of interest rates increases by 1%, a fixed income security having a positive duration of four years generally will decrease in value by 4%; when the level of interest rates decreases by 1%, the value of that same security generally will increase by 4%. A portfolio with a lower average duration generally will experience less price volatility in response to changes in interest rates than a portfolio with a higher average duration.

High Yield Securities

Fixed income securities that are not investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield, high risk securities. These securities offer a higher yield than other higher rated securities, but they carry a greater degree of risk and are considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies. High yield securities may be issued by companies that are restructuring, are smaller and less creditworthy or are more highly indebted than other companies. This means that they may have more difficulty making scheduled payments of principal and interest. Changes in the value of high yield


10



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Additional Information about the Portfolio's Investment Strategies
and Related Risks

securities are influenced more by changes in the financial and business position of the issuing company than by changes in interest rates when compared to investment grade securities.

Mortgage Securities

Mortgage securities are fixed income securities representing an interest in a pool of underlying mortgage loans. They are sensitive to changes in interest rates, but may respond to these changes differently from other fixed income securities due to the possibility of prepayment of the underlying mortgage loans. As a result, it may not be possible to determine in advance the actual maturity date or average life of a mortgage security. Rising interest rates tend to discourage refinancings, with the result that the average life and volatility of the security will increase and its market price will decrease. When interest rates fall, however, mortgage securities may not gain as much in market value because additional mortgage prepayments must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Prepayment risk may make it difficult to calculate the average maturity of a portfolio of mortgage securities and, therefore, to assess the volatility risk of that portfolio.

The Portfolio may invest in mortgage securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities. These securities are either direct obligations of the U.S. government or the issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations although it is not legally required to extend credit to the agency or instrumentality. Certain of these mortgage securities purchased by the Portfolio, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association and the Federal Housing Administration, are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Other of these mortgage securities purchased by the Portfolio, such as those issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and there is a risk that the U.S. Government will not provide financial support to these agencies if it is not obligated to do so by law. In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that the government would be taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and placing the companies into a conservatorship. In addition, the U.S. Treasury announced additional steps that it intended to take with respect to the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to support the conservatorship. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its respective obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its mortgage-backed securities. No assurance can be given

that these initiatives will be successful. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some of the mortgage securities held by the Portfolio may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

To the extent the Portfolio invests in mortgage securities offered by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers, the Portfolio may be subject to additional risks. Pools created by such non-governmental issuers generally offer a higher rate of interest than government and government-related pools because there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in such pools. However, timely payment of interest and principal of these pools may be supported by various forms of private insurance or guarantees, including individual loan, title, pool and hazard insurance and letters of credit. The insurance and guarantees are issued by governmental entities, private insurers and the mortgage poolers. There can be no assurance that the private insurers or guarantors can meet their obligations under the insurance policies or guarantee arrangements. Mortgage pools underlying mortgage securities offered by non-governmental issuers more frequently include second mortgages, high loan-to-value ratio mortgages and manufactured housing loans, in addition to commercial mortgages and other types of mortgages where a government or government-sponsored entity guarantee is not available. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to a Portfolio. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include subprime mortgages. Subprime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages. For these reasons, the loans underlying these securities have had in many cases higher default rates than those loans that meet government underwriting requirements. The risk of non-payment is greater for mortgage-related securities that are backed by loans that were originated under weak underwriting standards, including loans made to borrowers with limited means to make repayment. A level of risk exists for all loans, although, historically, the poorest performing loans have been those classified as subprime. Other types of privately issued mortgage-related securities, such as those classified as pay-option adjustable rate or Alt-A, have also performed poorly. Even loans classified as prime have experienced higher levels of delinquencies and defaults.


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Real Estate Investment Trusts

Investing in REITs exposes investors to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs are organized and operated. REITs generally invest directly in real estate, in mortgages or in some combination of the two. Operating REITs require specialized management skills and the Portfolio indirectly bears management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Portfolio. Individual REITs may own a limited number of properties and may concentrate in a particular region or property type. REITs may also be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers and self-liquidation. REITs also must satisfy specific requirements of the Code, in order to qualify for tax-free pass-through income. The failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Portfolio, including significantly reducing the return to the Portfolio on its investment in such company. In addition, REITs, like mutual funds, have expenses, including management and administration fees, that are paid by their shareholders. As a result, shareholders will absorb their proportionate share of duplicate levels of fees when the Portfolio invests in REITs.

Foreign Securities

Foreign issuers generally are subject to different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards than U.S. issuers. There may be less information available to the public about foreign issuers. Securities of foreign issuers can be less liquid and experience greater price movements. In addition, the prices of such securities may be susceptible to influence by large traders, due to the limited size of many foreign securities markets. Moreover, investments in certain foreign markets, which have historically been considered stable, may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Also, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. In some foreign countries, there is also the risk of government expropriation, excessive taxation, political or social instability, the imposition of currency controls, or diplomatic developments that could affect the Portfolio's investment. There also can be difficulty obtaining and enforcing judgments against issuers in foreign countries. Foreign stock exchanges, broker-dealers, and listed issuers may be subject to less government regulation and oversight. The cost of investing in foreign securities, including brokerage commissions and custodial expenses, can be higher than in the United States.

Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Portfolio's ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Portfolio's investments in such securities harder to value. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, may adversely affect the Portfolio's foreign holdings or exposures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in foreign countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Portfolio's investments. For example, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Portfolio's ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Portfolio's assets back into the U.S., or otherwise adversely affect the Portfolio's operations. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Portfolio, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Certain foreign investments may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities. When the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value.

The Portfolio may invest in debt obligations known as "sovereign debt," which are obligations of governmental issuers in emerging market or developing countries and industrialized countries. Certain emerging market or developing countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be willing or able to repay the principle and/or pay interest when due in accordance with the terms of such obligations. Additional factors


12



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Additional Information about the Portfolio's Investment Strategies
and Related Risks

that may influence the ability or willingness to service debt include, but are not limited to, a country's cash flow situation, the availability of sufficient foreign exchange on the date a payment is due, the relative size of its debt service burden to the economy as a whole and its government's policy towards the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other multilateral agencies. A country whose exports are concentrated in a few commodities or whose economy depends on certain strategic imports could be vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices of these commodities or imports. If a foreign sovereign obligor cannot generate sufficient earnings from foreign trade to service its external debt, it may need to depend on continuing loans and aid from foreign governments, commercial banks and multilateral organizations, and inflows of foreign investment. The commitment on the part of these foreign governments, multilateral organizations and others to make such disbursements may be conditioned on the government's implementation of economic reforms and/or economic performance and the timely service of its obligations. Failure to implement such reforms, achieve such levels of economic performance or repay principal or interest when due may result in the cancellation of such third-parties' commitments to lend funds, which may further impair the foreign sovereign obligor's ability or willingness to timely service its debts. In addition, there is no legal process for collecting on a sovereign debt that a government does not pay or bankruptcy proceeding by which all or part of the sovereign debt that a government entity has not repaid may be collected.

In connection with its investments in foreign securities, the Portfolio also may enter into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. In addition, the Portfolio may use cross currency hedging or proxy hedging with respect to currencies in which the Portfolio has or expects to have portfolio or currency exposure. Cross currency hedges involve the sale of one currency against the positive exposure to a different currency and may be used for hedging purposes or to establish an active exposure to the exchange rate between any two currencies.

Foreign Currency

The Portfolio's investments may be denominated in foreign currencies. The value of foreign currencies may fluctuate relative to the value of the U.S. dollar. Since the Portfolio may invest in such non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities, and therefore may convert the value of such securities into U.S. dollars, changes in currency exchange rates can increase or decrease the U.S. dollar value of the Portfolio's assets. The Adviser may use derivatives to reduce this risk. The Adviser may in its discretion choose not to hedge against currency risk. In addition, certain market conditions may make it impossible or uneconomical to hedge against currency risk.

Emerging Market Securities

The Portfolio may invest in emerging market or developing countries, which are countries that major international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, generally consider to be less economically mature than developed nations, such as the United States or most nations in Western Europe. Emerging market or developing countries may be more likely to experience political turmoil or rapid changes in economic conditions than more developed countries, and the financial condition of issuers in emerging market or developing countries may be more precarious than in other countries. In addition, emerging market securities generally are less liquid and subject to wider price and currency fluctuations than securities issued in more developed countries. These characteristics result in greater risk of price volatility in emerging market or developing countries, which may be heightened by currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar.

Derivatives

In addition to the option writing strategy discussed above, the Portfolio may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the


13



risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments.

Certain derivative transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Leverage associated with derivative transactions may cause the Portfolio to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet earmarking or segregation requirements, pursuant to applicable SEC rules and regulations, or may cause the Portfolio to be more volatile than if the Portfolio had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Portfolio's investment objective, there is no assurance that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

The derivative instruments and techniques that the Portfolio may use include:

Futures. A futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures contracts can be highly volatile, using futures can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures can exceed the Portfolio's initial investment in such contracts. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. There is also the risk of loss by the Portfolio of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has open positions in the futures contract.

Swaps. The Portfolio may enter into OTC swap contracts or cleared swap transactions. An OTC swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Typically swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are

netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Portfolio's obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each party. Cleared swap transactions held may reduce counterparty credit risk. In a cleared swap, the Portfolio's ultimate counterparty is the clearinghouse rather than a bank, dealer or other financial institution. OTC swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Both OTC and cleared swaps could result in losses if interest rate or foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by the Portfolio or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected. The Portfolio's use of swaps may include those based on the credit of an underlying security, commonly referred to as "credit default swaps." Where the Portfolio is the buyer of a credit default swap contract, it would typically be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the contract only in the event of a default or similar event by the issuer of the debt obligation. If no default occurs, the Portfolio would have paid to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and received no benefit from the contract. When the Portfolio is the seller of a credit default swap contract, it typically receives the stream of payments but is obligated to pay an amount equal to the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation upon the default or similar event of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulatory developments require the clearing and exchange-trading of certain standardized swap transactions. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis.

Structured Investments. The Portfolio also may invest a portion of its assets in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Structured investments may come in various forms including notes (such as exchange-traded notes), warrants and options to purchase securities. The Portfolio will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to a market is limited or inefficient from a tax or cost standpoint. There can be no assurance that structured investments will trade at the same price or have the same value as the underlying security, currency, commodity or market. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk,


14



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Additional Information about the Portfolio's Investment Strategies
and Related Risks

counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the Portfolio is relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and has no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Portfolio's illiquidity to the extent that the Portfolio, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these securities.

Investment Discretion

In pursuing the Portfolio's investment objective, the Adviser has considerable leeway in deciding which investments it buys, holds or sells on a day-to-day basis, and which trading strategies it uses. For example, the Adviser, in its discretion, may determine to use some permitted trading strategies while not using others. The success or failure of such decisions will affect the Portfolio's performance.

Temporary Defensive Investments

When the Adviser believes that changes in market, economic, political or other conditions warrant, the Portfolio may invest without limit in cash, cash equivalents or other fixed income securities for temporary defensive purposes that may be inconsistent with the Portfolio's principal investment strategies. If the Adviser incorrectly predicts the effects of these changes, such defensive investments may adversely affect the Portfolio's performance and the Portfolio may not meet its investment objective.

Portfolio Turnover

Consistent with its investment policies, the Portfolio will purchase and sell securities without regard to the effect on portfolio turnover. Higher portfolio turnover (e.g., over 100% per year) will cause the Portfolio to incur additional transaction costs and may result in taxable gains being passed through to shareholders. The Portfolio may engage in frequent trading of securities to achieve its investment objective.


15



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Fund Management

Adviser

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., with principal offices at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036, conducts a worldwide portfolio management business and provides a broad range of portfolio management services to customers in the United States and abroad. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: "MS") is the direct parent of the Adviser and the indirect parent of the Distributor. Morgan Stanley is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment

banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. As of December 31, 2014, the Adviser, together with its affiliated asset management companies, had approximately $403 billion in assets under management or supervision.

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees' approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement will be available in the Portfolio's Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended March 31, 2015.

Advisory Fees

The Adviser receives a fee for advisory services equal to 0.65% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets.

The Adviser has agreed to reduce its advisory fee and/or reimburse the Portfolio, if necessary, if such fees would cause the total annual operating expenses of the Portfolio to exceed 0.95% for Class I, 1.30% for Class A, 1.80% for Class L and 0.90% for Class IS. In determining the actual amount of fee waiver and/or expense reimburse-

ment for the Portfolio, if any, the Adviser excludes from total annual operating expenses certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation). The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the Portfolio will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

Portfolio Management

The Portfolio is managed by members of the Global Multi-Asset 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 Portfolio are Cyril Moullé-Berteaux, Sergei Parmenov and Mark A. Bavoso. Mr. Moullé-Berteaux has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 2011. Mr. Moullé-Berteaux was a founding partner and portfolio Manager of Traxis Partners LP from March 2003 to July 2011. Mr. Parmenov has been associated with the Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 2011. In addition, Mr. Parmenov has been associated with Lyncean Capital Management in an investment management capacity since January 2009. Mr. Bavoso has been associated with

the Adviser in an investment management capacity since 1988, with a focus on multi-asset portfolios throughout this period.

Team members collaborate to manage the assets of the Portfolio.

Additional Information

The Portfolio's SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and the portfolio managers' ownership of securities in the Portfolio.

The composition of each team may change from time to time.


16



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information

Share Class Arrangements

Class L shares of the Portfolio are not being offered at this time. You do not currently have the option of purchasing Class L shares.

This Prospectus offers Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio. Neither Class I, Class L nor Class IS shares are subject to a sales charge, and Class I and Class IS shares are not subject to a distribution and/or shareholder service (12b-1) fee. In addition, no sub-accounting or other similar fees, or any finder's fee payments are charged or paid on Class IS shares. Class I and Class IS shares generally require investments in minimum amounts that are substantially higher than Class A and Class L shares.

Minimum Investment Amounts

Class I, Class A and Class L Shares

The minimum initial investment generally is $5,000,000 for Class I shares and $1,000 for each of Class A and Class L shares of the Portfolio. The minimum initial investment may be waived for the following categories: (1) sales through banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in (i) discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs, (ii) fund supermarkets, (iii) asset allocation programs, (iv) other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Portfolio shares or for otherwise participating in the program or (v) certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; (2) qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code, and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); (3) defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; (4) certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by Morgan Stanley Investment Management or its affiliates for their employees or the Fund's Trustees; (5) current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary; (6) current or retired Directors or Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Funds, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary; (7) certain other registered open-end investment companies, whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; (8) investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved

by the Adviser; (9) the reinvestment of dividends in additional Portfolio shares; or (10) certain other institutional investors based on assets under management or other considerations at the discretion of the Adviser.

Class IS Shares

Class IS shares are offered only to eligible investors meeting certain minimum investment requirements. To purchase Class IS shares, an investor must meet a minimum initial investment of $10,000,000 or be a defined contribution, defined benefit or other employer sponsored employee benefit plan with minimum plan assets of $250,000,000, whether or not qualified under the Code, in each case subject to the discretion of the Adviser. Initial omnibus trades of $10,000,000 or more shall be accepted from certain platforms, including (i) banks and trust companies; (ii) insurance companies; and (iii) registered investment advisory firms. The $10,000,000 minimum initial investment amount may be waived for Portfolio shares purchased by or through: (1) certain registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; or (2) investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser.

If the value of your account falls below the minimum initial investment amount for Class I shares, Class A shares, Class L shares or Class IS shares as a result of share redemptions or you no longer meet one of the waiver criteria set forth above, as applicable, your account may be subject to involuntary conversion or involuntary redemption, as applicable. You will be notified prior to any such conversions or redemptions. No CDSC will be imposed on any involuntary conversion or involuntary redemption.

Distribution of Portfolio Shares

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. is the exclusive Distributor of Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio. The Distributor receives no compensation from the Fund for distributing Class I and Class IS shares of the Portfolio. The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan with respect to the Class A shares of the Portfolio and a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan with respect to the Class L shares of the Portfolio (the "Plans") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). Under the Plans, the Portfolio pays the Distributor a shareholder services fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each of the Class A shares and Class L shares on an


17



Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

annualized basis and a distribution fee of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of Class L shares on an annualized basis. The Distributor may compensate other parties for providing distribution-related and/or shareholder support services to investors who purchase Class A and Class L shares. Such fees relate solely to the Class A and Class L shares and will reduce the net investment income and total return of the Class A and Class L shares, respectively.

The Adviser and/or Distributor may pay compensation to certain authorized third-parties, such as brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries that have entered into a selling agreement with the Distributor (each a "Financial Intermediary") in connection with the sale, distribution, marketing and retention of the Portfolio's Class I, Class A and Class L shares and/or shareholder servicing. Such compensation may be significant in amount and the prospect of receiving any such additional compensation may provide affiliated or unaffiliated Financial Intermediaries with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Portfolio over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the NAV or the price of the Portfolio's Class I, Class A and Class L shares. For more information, please see the Portfolio's SAI.

About Net Asset Value

The NAV per share of a class of shares of the Portfolio is determined by dividing the total of the value of the Portfolio's investments and other assets attributable to the class, less any liabilities attributable to the class, by the total number of outstanding shares of that class of the Portfolio. In making this calculation, the Portfolio values its securities at market value. When no market quotations are readily available for securities, including circumstances under which the Adviser determines that a security's market price is not accurate, we will determine the value for those securities in good faith at fair value using methods approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees.

In addition, with respect to securities that primarily are listed on foreign exchanges, when an event occurs after the close of such exchanges that is likely to have changed the value of the securities (e.g., a percentage change in value of one or more U.S. securities indices in excess of specified thresholds), such securities will be valued at their fair value, as determined under procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. Securities also may be fair valued in the event of a significant development affecting a country or region or an issuer-specific development which is likely to have changed the

value of the security. In these cases, the Portfolio's NAV will reflect certain portfolio securities' fair value rather than their market price. To the extent the Portfolio invests in open-end management companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio's NAV is calculated based upon the NAV of such funds. The prospectuses for such funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and its effects.

Fair value pricing involves subjective judgment and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security. With respect to securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the values of the Portfolio's investment securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your shares.

Pricing of Portfolio Shares

You may buy or sell (redeem) Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio at the NAV next determined for the class after receipt of your order. The Fund determines the NAV per share for the Portfolio as of the close of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each day the NYSE is open for business (the "Pricing Time"). Shares will generally not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed. The Portfolio may, however, elect to remain open and price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary securities markets on which the Portfolio's securities trade remain open. Trading of securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges may take place on weekends and other days when the Portfolio does not price its shares. Therefore, to the extent, if any, that the Portfolio invests in securities primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the value of the Portfolio's portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your shares.

Portfolio Holdings

A description of the policies and procedures of the Fund with respect to the disclosure of the Portfolio's securities is available in the Portfolio's SAI.

How To Purchase Portfolio Shares

Class L shares of the Portfolio are not being offered at this time. You do not currently have the option of purchasing Class L shares.

You may purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio on each day that the Portfolio is open for business by contacting your Financial Intermediary or directly from the Fund.


18



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

Purchasing Shares Through a Financial Intermediary

You may open a new account and purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio through a Financial Intermediary. The Financial Intermediary will assist you with the procedures to invest in Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio. Investors purchasing or selling Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares through a Financial Intermediary, including Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, may be charged transaction-based or other fees by the Financial Intermediary for its services. If you are purchasing Class I, Class A, Class L or Class IS shares through a Financial Intermediary, please consult your Financial Intermediary for more information regarding any such fees and for purchase instructions.

Purchasing Shares Directly From the Fund

Initial Purchase by Mail

You may open a new account, subject to acceptance by the Fund, and purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by completing and signing a New Account Application provided by Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. ("BFDS"), the Fund's transfer agent, which you can obtain by calling BFDS at 1-800-548-7786 and mailing it to Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas City, MO 64121-9804 together with a check payable to Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust.

Please note that payments to investors who redeem Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares purchased by check will not be made until payment of the purchase has been collected, which may take up to 15 calendar days after purchase. You can avoid this delay by purchasing Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by wire.

Initial Purchase by Wire

You may purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio by wiring Federal Funds (monies credited by a Federal Reserve Bank) to State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Custodian"). You must forward

a completed New Account Application to BFDS in advance of the wire by following the instructions under "Initial Purchase by Mail." You should instruct your bank to send a Federal Funds wire in a specified amount to the Custodian using the following wire instructions:

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111-2101
ABA #011000028
DDA #00575373
Attn: Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust
Subscription Account
Ref: (Portfolio Name, Account Number, Account Name)

Additional Investments

You may purchase additional Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares for your account at any time by contacting your Financial Intermediary or by contacting the Fund directly. For additional purchases directly from the Fund, you should write a "letter of instruction" that includes your account name, account number, the Portfolio name and the class selected, signed by the account owner(s), to assure proper crediting to your account. The letter must be mailed along with a check in accordance with the instructions under "Initial Purchase by Mail." You may also purchase additional Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by wire by following the instructions under "Initial Purchase by Wire."

Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares

Class A shares are subject to a sales charge equal to a maximum of 5.25% calculated as a percentage of the offering price on a single transaction as shown in the table below. For Class A shares sold by the Distributor, the Distributor will receive the sales charge imposed on purchases of Class A shares (or any CDSC paid on redemption) and will retain the full amount of such sales charge. As shown below, the sales charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 and over.

   

Front End Sales Charge

     

Amount of Single Transaction

  Percentage of
Public Offering Price
  Approximate Percentage
of Net Amount Invested
  Dealer Commission as a
Percentage of Offering Price
 

Less than $25,000

   

5.25

%

   

5.54

%

   

5.00

%

 

$25,000 but less than $50,000

   

4.75

%

   

4.99

%

   

4.50

%

 

$50,000 but less than $100,000

   

4.00

%

   

4.17

%

   

3.75

%

 

$100,000 but less than $250,000

   

3.00

%

   

3.09

%

   

2.75

%

 

$250,000 but less than $500,000

   

2.50

%

   

2.56

%

   

2.25

%

 

$500,000 but less than $1 million

   

2.00

%

   

2.04

%

   

1.80

%

 
$1 million and over*    

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

   

0.00

%

 

*  The Distributor may pay a commission of up to 1% to a Financial Intermediary for purchase amounts of $1 million or more.


19



Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

You may benefit from a reduced sales charge schedule (i.e., breakpoint discount) for purchases of Class A shares of the Portfolio by combining, in a single transaction, your purchase with purchases of Class A shares of the Portfolio by the following related accounts ("Related Accounts"):

•  A single account (including an individual, a joint account, a trust or fiduciary account).

•  A family member account (limited to spouse, and children under the age of 21, but include trust accounts established solely for the benefit of a spouse, or children under the age of 21).

•  An UGMA/UTMA account.

•  An individual retirement account.

Investments of $1 million or more are not subject to an initial sales charge, but are generally subject to a CDSC of 1.00% on sales made within 18 months after the last day of the month of purchase. The CDSC is assessed on an amount equal to the lesser of the then market value of the shares or the historical cost of the shares (which is the amount actually paid for the shares at the time of original purchase) being redeemed. Accordingly, no sales charge is imposed on increases in NAV above the initial purchase price. In determining whether a CDSC applies to a redemption, it is assumed that the shares being redeemed first are any shares in the shareholder's account that are not subject to a CDSC, followed by shares held the longest in the shareholder's account.

In addition to investments of $1 million or more, purchases of Class A shares are not subject to a front-end sales charge if your account qualifies under one of the following categories:

•  Sales through banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in (i) discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs, (ii) asset allocation programs, (iii) other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Portfolio shares or for otherwise participating in the program or (iv) certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee, as outlined in an agreement between the Distributor and such financial institution.

•  Sales through Financial Intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer Portfolio shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts, which may or may not charge a transaction fee.

•  Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code (subject to all applicable terms and conditions).

•  Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code, where such plans purchase Class A shares through a plan-level or omnibus account sponsored or serviced by a Financial Intermediary that has an agreement with the Fund, the Distributor and/or the Adviser pursuant to which Class A shares are available to such plans without an initial sales charge.

•  Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by Morgan Stanley Investment Management or its affiliates for their employees or the Fund's Trustees.

•  Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Funds, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary.

•  Current or retired directors, officers and employees of Morgan Stanley and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such persons is a beneficiary.

•  Certain other registered open-end investment companies, whose shares are distributed by the Distributor.

•  Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser.

•  The reinvestment of dividends in additional Portfolio shares.

•  The reinvestment of dividends from Class A shares of the Portfolio in additional Class A shares of the Portfolio.

Certain waivers may not be available depending on the policies at certain Financial Intermediaries. Please consult your Financial Intermediary for more information.

Combined Purchase Privilege

You will have the benefit of a reduced sales charge by combining your purchase of Class A shares of the Portfolio in a single transaction with your purchase of Class A shares of any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (as defined herein) for any Related Account.

Right of Accumulation

You may benefit from a reduced sales charge if the cumulative NAV of Class A shares of the Portfolio purchased in a single transaction, together with the NAV of any Class A shares of the Portfolio and any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds (as defined herein) and Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust which you acquired in an exchange from Class A shares of the Portfolio or Class A shares of another Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund) held in Related Accounts, amounts to $25,000 or more.


20



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

Notification

You must notify your Financial Intermediary at the time a purchase order is placed, that the purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge under any of the privileges discussed above. The reduced sales charge will not be granted if: (i) notification is not furnished at the time of the order; or (ii) a review of the records of your Financial Intermediary or the Fund's transfer agent, BFDS, does not confirm your represented holdings. Certain waivers may not be available depending on the policies at certain Financial Intermediaries. Please consult your Financial Intermediary for more information.

In order to obtain a reduced sales charge for Class A shares of the Portfolio under any of the privileges discussed above, it may be necessary at the time of purchase for you to inform your Financial Intermediary of the existence of any Related Accounts in which there are holdings eligible to be aggregated to meet the sales load breakpoint and/or right of accumulation threshold. In order to verify your eligibility, you may be required to provide account statements and/or confirmations regarding your purchases and/or holdings of any Class A shares of the Portfolio or any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (including shares of Morgan Stanley Money Market Funds and Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust which you acquired in an exchange from Class A shares of the Portfolio or any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund) held in all Related Accounts at your Financial Intermediary, in order to determine whether you have met the sales load breakpoint and/or right of accumulation threshold.

Letter of Intent

The above schedule of reduced sales charges for larger purchases also will be available to you if you enter into a written "Letter of Intent." A Letter of Intent provides for the purchase of Class A shares of the Portfolio and Class A shares of other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds within a 13-month period. The initial purchase of Class A shares of the Portfolio under a Letter of Intent must be at least 5% of the stated investment goal. The Letter of Intent does not preclude the Portfolio (or any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund) from discontinuing sales of its shares. To determine the applicable sales charge reduction, you may also include (1) the cost of Class A shares of the Fund or any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund which were previously purchased at a price including a front-end sales charge during the 90-day period prior to the Distributor receiving the Letter of Intent and (2) the historical cost of shares of any Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund or Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley

Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust which you acquired in an exchange from Class A shares of the Fund or any other Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund purchased during that period at a price including a front-end sales charge. You may also combine purchases and exchanges by any Related Accounts during such 90-day period. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate historical costs because the Fund, BFDS and your Financial Intermediary may not maintain this information. You can obtain a Letter of Intent by contacting your Financial Intermediary. If you do not achieve the stated investment goal within the 13-month period, you are required to pay the difference between the sales charges otherwise applicable and sales charges actually paid, which may be deducted from your investment. Shares acquired through reinvestment of distributions are not aggregated to achieve the stated investment goal.

General

Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares may, in the Fund's discretion, be purchased with investment securities (in lieu of or, in conjunction with, cash) acceptable to the Fund. The securities would be accepted by the Fund at their market value in return for Portfolio shares of equal value, taking into account any applicable sales charge.

To help the U.S. Government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you is that when you open an account, we will ask your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. If we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to restrict additional transactions and/or liquidate your account at the next calculated NAV after your account is closed (less any applicable sales/account charges and/or tax penalties) or take any other action required by law. In accordance with federal law requirements, the Fund has implemented an anti-money laundering compliance program, which includes the designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officer.

When you buy Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares, the shares (plus any applicable sales charge) will be purchased at the next share price calculated after we receive your purchase order. Your payment is due on the third business day after you place your purchase order. We reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of Portfolio shares for any reason.


21



Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

The Fund may suspend the offering of shares, or any class of shares, of the Portfolio or reject any purchase orders when we think it is in the best interest of the Portfolio.

Certain patterns of past exchanges and/or purchase or sale transactions involving the Portfolio may result in the Fund rejecting, limiting or prohibiting, at its sole discretion and without prior notice additional purchases and/or exchanges and may result in a shareholder's account being closed. Determinations in this regard may be made based on the frequency or dollar amount of the previous exchanges or purchase or sale transactions. For more information, please refer to the section of this Prospectus entitled "Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Shares."

How To Redeem Portfolio Shares

You may process a redemption request by contacting your Financial Intermediary. Otherwise, you may redeem Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio by mail or, if authorized, by telephone, at no charge other than as described below. The value of shares redeemed may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the NAV at the time of redemption. Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio will be redeemed at the NAV next determined after we receive your redemption request in good order and will be reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC.

Redemptions by Letter

Requests should be addressed to Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas City, MO 64121-9804.

To be in good order, redemption requests must include the following documentation:

(a) A letter of instruction, if required, or a stock assignment specifying the account name, the account number, the name of the Portfolio and the number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, signed by all registered owners of the shares in the exact names in which the shares are registered, and whether you wish to receive the redemption proceeds by check or by wire to the bank account we have on file for you;

(b) The share certificates, if issued;

(c) Any required signature guarantees if you are requesting payment to anyone other than the registered owner(s) or that payment be sent to any address other

than the address of the registered owner(s) or pre-designated bank account; and

(d) Other supporting legal documents, if required, in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianship, corporations, pension and profit sharing plans and other organizations.

Redemptions by Telephone

You automatically have telephone redemption and exchange privileges unless you indicate otherwise by checking the applicable box on the New Account Application or calling BFDS to opt out of such privileges. You may request a redemption of Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by calling the Fund at 1-800-548-7786 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed or wired to you. You cannot redeem Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by telephone if you hold share certificates for those shares. For your protection when calling the Fund, we will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated over the telephone are genuine. These procedures may include requiring various forms of personal identification (such as name, mailing address, social security number or other tax identification number), tape-recording telephone communications and providing written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Morgan Stanley, BFDS or the Fund will be liable for following telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. Telephone redemptions and exchanges may not be available if you cannot reach BFDS by telephone, whether because all telephone lines are busy or for any other reason; in such case, a shareholder would have to use the Fund's other redemption and exchange procedures described in this section. Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by BFDS between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any day the NYSE is open for business. During periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that the telephone privileges may be difficult to implement, although this has not been the case with the Fund in the past. To opt out of telephone privileges, please contact BFDS at 1-800-548-7786.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

If your investment in all of the Morgan Stanley Funds has a total market value of at least $10,000, you may elect to withdraw amounts of $25 or more, or in any whole percentage of a fund's balance (provided the amount is at least $25), on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis, from any fund with a balance of


22



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

at least $1,000. Each time you add a fund to the plan, you must meet the plan requirements.

Amounts withdrawn are subject to any applicable CDSC. A CDSC may be waived under certain circumstances. See the Class A waiver categories listed below.

To sign up for the systematic withdrawal plan, contact your Financial Intermediary or call toll-free (800) 548-7786. You may terminate or suspend your plan at any time. Please remember that withdrawals from the plan are sales of shares, not Portfolio "distributions," and ultimately may exhaust your account balance. The Fund may terminate or revise the plan at any time.

CDSC on Class A Shares

The CDSC on Class A shares will be waived in connection with sales of Class A shares for which no commission or transaction fee was paid by the Distributor or Financial Intermediary at the time of purchase of such shares. In addition, a CDSC, if otherwise applicable, will be waived in the case of:

•  Sales of shares held at the time you die or become disabled (within the definition in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code, which relates to the ability to engage in gainful employment), if the shares are: (i) registered either in your individual name or in the names of you and your spouse as joint tenants with right of survivorship; (ii) registered in the name of a trust of which (a) you are the settlor and that is revocable by you (i.e., a "living trust") or (b) you and your spouse are the settlors and that is revocable by you or your spouse (i.e., a "joint living trust"); or (iii) held in a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan, IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account; provided in each case that the sale is requested within one year after your death or initial determination of disability.

•  Sales in connection with the following retirement plan "distributions": (i) lump-sum or other distributions from a qualified corporate or self-employed retirement plan following retirement (or, in the case of a "key employee" of a "top heavy" plan, following attainment of age 591/2); (ii) required minimum distributions and certain other distributions (such as those following attainment of age 591/2) from an IRA or 403(b) Custodial Account; or (iii) a tax-free return of an excess IRA contribution (a "distribution" does not include a direct transfer of IRA, 403(b) Custodial Account or retirement plan assets to a successor custodian or trustee).

•  Sales of shares in connection with the systematic withdrawal plan of up to 12% annually of the value of each fund from which plan sales are made. The percentage is determined on the date you establish the

systematic withdrawal plan and based on the next calculated share price. You may have this CDSC waiver applied in amounts up to 1% per month, 3% per quarter, 6% semi-annually or 12% annually. Shares with no CDSC will be sold first, followed by those with the lowest CDSC. As such, the waiver benefit will be reduced by the amount of your shares that are not subject to a CDSC. If you suspend your participation in the plan, you may later resume plan payments without requiring a new determination of the account value for the 12% CDSC waiver.

The Distributor may require confirmation of your entitlement before granting a CDSC waiver. If you believe you are eligible for a CDSC waiver, please contact your Financial Intermediary or call toll-free 1-800-548-7786.

Redemption Proceeds

The Fund will ordinarily distribute redemption proceeds in cash within one business day of your redemption request, but it may take up to seven days. However, if you purchased Class I, Class A, Class L or Class IS shares by check, the Fund will not distribute redemption proceeds until it has collected your purchase payment, which may take up to 15 calendar days.

If we determine that it is in the best interest of the Fund or Portfolio not to pay redemption proceeds in cash, we may distribute to you securities held by the Portfolio. If requested, we will pay a portion of your redemption(s) in cash (during any 90 day period) up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of the Portfolio at the beginning of such period. If the Fund redeems your shares in-kind, you will bear any market risks associated with the securities paid as redemption proceeds. Such in-kind securities may be illiquid and difficult or impossible for a shareholder to sell at a time and at a price that a shareholder would like. Redemptions paid in such securities generally will give rise to income, gain or loss for income tax purposes in the same manner as redemptions paid in cash. In addition, you may incur brokerage costs and a further gain or loss for income tax purposes when you ultimately sell the securities.

Exchange Privilege

You may exchange shares of any class of the Portfolio for the same class of shares of other portfolios of the Fund and portfolios of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. ("MSIF Inc."), if available, without the imposition of an exchange fee. In addition, you may exchange shares of any class of the Portfolio for the same class of shares of Morgan Stanley European Equity Fund Inc., Morgan Stanley Global Fixed Income Opportunities Fund, Morgan Stanley Global Infrastructure Fund,


23



Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, Morgan Stanley Mortgage Securities Trust, Morgan Stanley Multi Cap Growth Trust and Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust, (each, a "Morgan Stanley Retail Fund" and, together with the Fund and MSIF Inc., the "Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds"), if available, without the imposition of an exchange fee. Front-end sales charges (loads) are not imposed on exchanges of Class A shares. In addition, you may exchange Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Portfolio for shares of Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust, Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc., Morgan Stanley New York Municipal Money Market Trust, Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust and Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust (each, a "Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund" and, together with the Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Funds, the "Morgan Stanley Funds") or for Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, if available, without the imposition of an exchange fee. Exchanges are effected based on the respective NAVs of the applicable Morgan Stanley Fund (subject to any applicable redemption fee). To obtain a prospectus for another Morgan Stanley Fund, contact your Financial Intermediary or call the Fund at 1-800-548-7786. Prospectuses are also available on our internet site at www.morganstanley.com/im. If you purchased Portfolio shares through a Financial Intermediary, certain Morgan Stanley Funds may be unavailable for exchange. Contact your Financial Intermediary to determine which Morgan Stanley Funds are available for exchange.

The current prospectus for each Morgan Stanley Fund describes its investment objective(s), policies and investment minimums, and should be read before investment. Since exchanges are available only into continuously offered Morgan Stanley Funds, exchanges are not available into Morgan Stanley Funds or classes of Morgan Stanley Funds that are not currently being offered for purchase.

You can process your exchange by contacting your Financial Intermediary. You may also send exchange requests to the Fund's transfer agent, BFDS, by mail to Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas City, MO 64121-9804 or by calling 1-800-548-7786.

There are special considerations when you exchange Class A shares of the Portfolio that are subject to a CDSC. When determining the length of time you held the Class A shares, any period (starting at the end of the month) during which you held such shares will be

counted. In addition, any period (starting at the end of the month) during which you held (i) Class A shares of other portfolios of the Fund; (ii) Class A shares of a Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund; (iii) shares of a Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund or (iv) Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, any of which you acquired in an exchange from such Class A shares of the Portfolio, will also be counted; however, if you sell shares of (i) such other portfolio of the Fund; (ii) the Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund; (iii) the Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund; or (iv) the Advisor Class shares of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, before the expiration of the CDSC "holding period," you will be charged the CDSC applicable to such shares.

When you exchange for shares of another Morgan Stanley Fund, your transaction will be treated the same as an initial purchase. You will be subject to the same minimum initial investment and account size as an initial purchase. Your exchange price will be the price calculated at the next Pricing Time after the Morgan Stanley Fund receives your exchange order. The Morgan Stanley Fund, in its sole discretion, may waive the minimum initial investment amount in certain cases. The Fund may terminate or revise the exchange privilege upon required notice or in certain cases without notice. The Fund reserves the right to reject an exchange order for any reason.

If you exchange shares of the Portfolio for shares of another Morgan Stanley Fund, there are important tax considerations. For tax purposes, the exchange out of the Portfolio is considered a sale of Portfolio shares and the exchange into the other fund is considered a purchase. As a result, you may realize a capital gain or loss. You should review the "Tax Considerations" section and consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an exchange.

Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Shares

Frequent purchases and redemptions of shares by Portfolio shareholders are referred to as "market-timing" or "short-term trading" and may present risks for other shareholders of the Portfolio, which may include, among other things, diluting the value of the Portfolio's shares held by long-term shareholders, interfering with the efficient management of the Portfolio, increasing brokerage and administrative costs, incurring unwanted taxable gains and forcing the Portfolio to hold excess levels of cash.

In addition, the Portfolio is subject to the risk that market-timers and/or short-term traders may take


24



Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Information (Cont'd)

advantage of time zone differences between the foreign markets on which the Portfolio's securities trade and the time the Portfolio's NAV is calculated ("time-zone arbitrage"). For example, a market-timer may purchase shares of the Portfolio based on events occurring after foreign market closing prices are established, but before the Portfolio's NAV calculation, that are likely to result in higher prices in foreign markets the following day. The market-timer would redeem the Portfolio's shares the next day when the Portfolio's share price would reflect the increased prices in foreign markets for a quick profit at the expense of long-term Portfolio shareholders.

Investments in other types of securities also may be susceptible to short-term trading strategies. These investments include securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid, which have the risk that the current market price for the securities may not accurately reflect current market values. A shareholder may seek to engage in short-term trading to take advantage of these pricing differences (referred to as "price arbitrage"). Investments in certain fixed income securities may be adversely affected by price arbitrage trading strategies.

The Fund discourages and does not accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares by Portfolio shareholders and the Fund's Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures with respect to such frequent purchases and redemptions.

The Fund's policies with respect to purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Portfolio shares are described in the "Shareholder Information—How To Purchase Portfolio Shares," "Shareholder Information—Sales Charges Applicable to Purchases of Class A Shares," "Shareholder Information—General," "Shareholder Information—How To Redeem Portfolio Shares" and "Shareholder Information—Exchange Privilege" sections of this Prospectus. Except as described in each of these sections, and with respect to trades that occur through omnibus accounts at Financial Intermediaries, as described below, the Fund's policies regarding frequent trading of Portfolio shares are applied uniformly to all shareholders. With respect to trades that occur through omnibus accounts at Financial Intermediaries, such as investment advisers, broker-dealers, transfer agents and third-party administrators, the Fund (i) has requested assurance that such Financial Intermediaries currently selling Portfolio shares have in place internal policies and procedures reasonably designed to address market-timing concerns and has instructed such Financial Intermediaries to notify the

Fund immediately if they are unable to comply with such policies and procedures and (ii) requires all prospective Financial Intermediaries to agree to cooperate in enforcing the Fund's policies (or, upon prior written approval only, a Financial Intermediary's own policies) with respect to frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Portfolio shares.

With respect to trades that occur through omnibus accounts at Financial Intermediaries, to some extent, the Fund relies on the Financial Intermediary to monitor frequent short-term trading within the Portfolio by the Financial Intermediary's customers. However, the Fund has entered into agreements with Financial Intermediaries whereby Financial Intermediaries are required to provide certain customer identification and transaction information upon the Fund's request. The Fund may use this information to help identify and prevent market-timing activity in the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to identify or prevent all market-timing activities.

Tax Considerations

As with any investment, you should consider how your Portfolio investment will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in the Portfolio. Unless your investment in the Portfolio is through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when the Portfolio makes distributions and when you sell shares, including an exchange to another Morgan Stanley Fund.

Taxation of Distributions. Your distributions normally are subject to federal and state income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in Portfolio shares. A distribution also may be subject to local income tax. Any income dividend distributions and any short-term capital gain distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares in the Portfolio.

If certain holding period requirements are met with respect to your shares, a portion of the income dividends you receive may be taxed at the same rates as long-term capital gains. However, even if income received in the form of income dividends is taxed at the same rates as long-term capital gains, such income will not be considered long-term capital gains for other federal income tax purposes. For example, you will not be


25



permitted to offset income dividends with capital losses. Short term capital gain distributions will continue to be taxed as ordinary income taxes.

If certain holding period requirements are met, corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends-received deduction for the portion of dividends they receive which are attributable to dividends received by such portfolios from U.S. corporations.

Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income taxes.

You will be sent a statement (Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") Form 1099-DIV) by February of each year showing the taxable distributions paid to you in the previous year. The statement provides information on your dividends and any capital gains for tax purposes.

Taxation of Sales. Your sale of Portfolio shares normally is subject to federal and state income tax and may result in a taxable gain or loss to you. A sale also may be subject to local income tax. Your exchange of Portfolio shares for shares of another Morgan Stanley Fund is treated for tax purposes like a sale of your original shares and a purchase of your new shares. Thus, the exchange may, like a sale, result in a taxable gain or loss to you and will give you a new tax basis for your shares.

The Portfolio (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the IRS and furnish to Portfolio shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO ("first-in, first-out") or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012. If average cost is used for the first sale of Portfolio shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Portfolio shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from redemptions or other taxable

dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

When you open your account, you should provide your social security or tax identification number on your investment application. By providing this information, you will avoid being subject to federal backup withholding at a rate of 28% on taxable distributions and redemption proceeds. Any withheld amount would be sent to the IRS as an advance payment of your taxes due on your income for such year.

Dividends paid by the Portfolio to a foreign shareholder will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower treaty rate as may be applicable).

The Portfolio is required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and, effective January 1, 2017, redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Portfolio to enable the Portfolio to determine whether withholding is required.

Because each investor's tax circumstances are unique and the tax laws may change, you should consult your tax advisor about your investment.

Dividends and Distributions

The Portfolio normally declares dividends and distributes substantially all of its net investment income to shareholders quarterly.

If any net gains are realized from the sale of underlying securities, the Portfolio normally distributes the gains with the last distributions for the calendar year. All dividends and distributions are automatically paid in additional shares of the Portfolio unless you elect otherwise. If you want to change how your dividends are paid, you must notify the Fund in writing.


26




Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust Prospectus

Financial Highlights

Financial Highlights

No financial information is provided for the Portfolio because it had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.


27



(This page intentionally left blank)


28




Where to Find Additional Information

In addition to this Prospectus, the Fund has a Statement of Additional Information, dated March 4, 2015, which contains additional, more detailed information about the Fund and the Portfolio. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and, therefore, legally forms a part of this Prospectus.

The Fund publishes Annual and Semiannual Reports to Shareholders ("Shareholder Reports") that contain additional information about the Portfolio's investments. In the Portfolio's Annual Report to Shareholders, when available, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and the investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolio's performance during the last fiscal year. For additional Fund information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Portfolio, please call the toll-free number below.

You may obtain the Statement of Additional Information and Shareholder Reports without charge by contacting the Fund at the toll-free number below or on our internet site at: www.morganstanley.com/im. If you purchased shares through a Financial Intermediary, you may also obtain these documents, without charge, by contacting your Financial Intermediary.

Information about the Fund (including the Statement of Additional Information and Shareholder Reports) can be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (202) 551-8090. Shareholder Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 219804
Kansas City, MO 64121-9804

For Shareholder Inquiries,
call toll-free 1-800-548-7786.

Prices and Investment Results are available at www.morganstanley.com/im.

The Fund's Investment Company Act registration number is 811-03980.

IFTGMAIPRO-0315




MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL FUND TRUST
522 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10036

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

March 4, 2015

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust (the "Fund") is a mutual fund consisting of nine portfolios offering a variety of investment alternatives. This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") sets forth information about the Fund applicable to Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares of the Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio (the "Portfolio").

   

Share Class and Ticker Symbol

 
   

Class I

 

Class A

 

Class L*

 

Class IS

 

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

 

MSGMX

 

MSGOX

   

MSMUX

 

*  Class L shares of the Portfolio are not being offered at this time. You do not currently have the option of purchasing Class L shares.

This SAI is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Portfolio's prospectus, dated March 4, 2015, as may be supplemented from time to time ("Prospectus"). To obtain the Prospectus, please call Shareholder Services at the number indicated below.

The Portfolio is "diversified" and, as such, the Portfolio's investments are required to meet certain diversification requirements under federal securities laws.

SHAREHOLDER SERVICES: 1-800-548-7786
PRICES AND INVESTMENT RESULTS: WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM/IM



TABLE OF CONTENTS

   

Page

 

THE PORTFOLIO'S INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES

   

1

   
INVESTMENTS AND RISKS    

4

   

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

   

34

   

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

   

36

   

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

   

38

   
ACCOUNT POLICIES AND FEATURES    

39

   

VALUATION OF SHARES

   

40

   
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND    

41

   

COMPENSATION

   

53

   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

   

54

   

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

   

55

   

FUND ADMINISTRATION

   

55

   

DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS

   

58

   

BROKERAGE PRACTICES

   

59

   

GENERAL INFORMATION

   

62

   

TAXES

   

63

   

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

   

69

   

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

   

69

   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   

69

   
APPENDIX A — MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
   

A-1

   

APPENDIX B — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

   

B-1

   


-i-



THE PORTFOLIO'S INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIES

This SAI provides additional information about the investment policies and operations of the Fund and the Portfolio. The following table summarizes the permissible strategies and investments for the Portfolio. This table should be read in conjunction with the investment summaries for the Portfolio contained in the Prospectus in order to provide a more complete description of the Portfolio's investment policies. The table excludes investments that the Portfolio may make solely for temporary defensive purposes. More details about each investment and related risks are provided in the discussion following the table.

   

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

 

Investments:

 

ADRs

   

x

   

Agencies

   

x

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

x

   

Borrowing

   

x

   

Brady Bonds

   

x

   

Cash Equivalents

   

x

   

Commercial Paper

   

x

   

Common Stock

   

x

   

Convertibles

   

x

   

Corporates

   

x

   

Depositary Receipts

   

x

   

Derivatives

   

x

   

Emerging Market Securities

   

x

   

Equity Securities

   

x

   

Fixed Income Securities

   

x

   

Floaters

   

x

   

Foreign Currency

   

x

   

Foreign Securities

   

x

   

Forwards

   

x

   

Futures Contracts

   

x

   

High Yield Securities

   

x

   

Inverse Floaters

   

x

   


1



   

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

 

Investment Companies

   

x

   

Investment Funds

   

x

   

Investment Grade Securities

   

x

   

Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests

   

x

   

Loan Participations and Assignments

   

x

   

Mortgage Related Securities

   

x

   
Mortgage-Backed Securities    

x

   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations    

x

   
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities    

x

   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities    

x

   
Non-Publicly Traded Securities, Private Placements and
Restricted Securities
   

x

   

Options

   

x

   

Preferred Stock

   

x

   

Private Investments in Public Equity

   

x

   

Real Estate Investing

   

x

   
Real Estate Investment Trusts    

x

   
Foreign Real Estate Companies    

x

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

x

   

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

   

x

   

Rights

   

x

   

Securities Lending

   

x

   

Short Selling

   

x

   

Structured Investments

   

x

   

Swaps

   

x

   

U.S. Government Securities

   

x

   

Warrants

   

x

   
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and
Forward Commitments
   

x

   


2



   

Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio

 

When, As and If Issued Securities

   

x

   

Yankee and Eurobond Obligations

   

x

   

Zero Coupons

   

x

   


3




INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is the adviser (the "Adviser") to the Fund.

ADRs: American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") are dollar-denominated securities which are listed and traded in the United States, but which represent claims to shares of foreign stocks. They are treated as U.S. equity securities for purposes of the Portfolio's investment policies. ADRs may be either sponsored or unsponsored. Sponsored ADRs are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas unsponsored ADRs may be established by a depositary without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of unsponsored ADRs generally bear all the costs associated with establishing unsponsored ADRs. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the ADRs. ADRs also include American Depositary Shares.

Agencies: Agencies refer to fixed income securities issued or guaranteed by federal agencies and U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities. They may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. If they are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself in the event the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. Agencies which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include the Export-Import Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Financing Bank and others. Certain debt issued by Resolution Funding Corporation has both its principal and interest backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury in that its principal is backed by U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues, while the U.S. Treasury is explicitly required to advance funds sufficient to pay interest on it, if needed. Certain agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), are, in effect, backed by the full faith and credit of the United States through provisions in their charters that they may make "indefinite and unlimited" drawings on the Treasury if needed to service its debt. Debt from certain other agencies and instrumentalities, including the Federal Home Loan Bank, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), are not guaranteed by the United States, but those institutions are protected by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Treasury to purchase certain amounts of their securities to assist them in meeting their debt obligations. Finally, other agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Farm Credit System, are federally chartered institutions under U.S. Government supervision, but their debt securities are backed only by the credit worthiness of those institutions, not the U.S. Government. Some of the U.S. government agencies that issue or guarantee securities include the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration and The Tennessee Valley Authority (the "TVA").

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that the U.S. Government would be taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and placing the companies into a conservatorship. In addition, the U.S. Treasury announced additional steps that it intended to take with respect to the debt and mortgage-backed securities ("MBS") issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to support the conservatorship. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its respective obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its MBS. No assurance can be given that these initiatives will be successful. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Portfolio may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

An instrumentality of the U.S. Government is a government agency organized under federal charter with government supervision. Instrumentalities issuing or guaranteeing securities include, among others, Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Land Banks, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Fannie Mae.

Asset-Backed Securities: The Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities utilize the securitization techniques used to develop MBS. These techniques are also applied to a broad range of other assets. Various types of assets, primarily automobile and credit card receivables and home equity loans, are being securitized in pass-through structures similar to the mortgage pass-through structures. These types of securities are known as asset-backed securities. The Portfolio may invest in any type of asset-backed security. Asset-backed securities have risk characteristics similar to MBS. Like MBS, they generally decrease in value as a result of interest


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rate increases, but may benefit less than other fixed-income securities from declining interest rates, principally because of prepayments. Also, as in the case of MBS, prepayments generally increase during a period of declining interest rates although other factors, such as changes in credit use and payment patterns, may also influence prepayment rates. Asset-backed securities also involve the risk that various federal and state consumer laws and other legal, regulatory and economic factors may result in the collateral backing the securities being insufficient to support payment on the securities.

Borrowing: The Portfolio is permitted to borrow money from banks in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), or the rules and regulations promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") thereunder. Currently, the 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow money from banks in an amount up to 331/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities (not including any borrowings but including the fair market value at the time of computation of any other senior securities then outstanding). The Portfolio may also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions. The Portfolio will only borrow when the Adviser believes that such borrowings will benefit the Portfolio after taking into account considerations such as interest income and possible gains or losses upon liquidation. The Portfolio will maintain asset coverage in accordance with the 1940 Act.

Borrowing by the Portfolio creates an opportunity for increased net income but, at the same time, creates special risks. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in and increase the volatility of the net asset value ("NAV") of Portfolio shares. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio's portfolio securities. The use of leverage also may cause the Portfolio to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or to maintain asset coverage.

In general, the Portfolio may not issue any class of senior security, except that the Portfolio may (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all Portfolio borrowings and in the event such asset coverage falls below 300% the Portfolio will within three days or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including but not limited to options, futures, forward contracts and reverse repurchase agreements, provided that the Portfolio earmarks cash or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.

Brady Bonds: Brady Bonds are both Emerging Market Securities and Foreign Fixed Income Securities. They are created by exchanging existing commercial bank loans to foreign entities for new obligations for the purpose of restructuring the issuers' debts under a plan introduced by former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Nicholas F. Brady. They may be collateralized or uncollateralized and issued in various currencies (although most are U.S. dollar-denominated). They are actively traded in the over-the-counter ("OTC") secondary market. The Portfolio will only invest in Brady Bonds consistent with its quality specifications.

Dollar-denominated, collateralized Brady Bonds may be fixed rate par bonds or floating rate discount bonds. These Brady Bonds are generally collateralized in full as to principal due at maturity by U.S. Treasury Zero Coupon Obligations having the same maturity as the Brady Bonds. Interest payments on these Brady Bonds generally are collateralized by cash or securities in an amount that, in the case of fixed rate bonds, is equal to at least one year of rolling interest payments or, in the case of floating rate bonds, initially is equal to at least one year's rolling interest payments based on the applicable interest rate at that time and is adjusted at regular intervals thereafter. Certain Brady Bonds are entitled to "value recovery payments" in certain circumstances, which in effect constitute supplemental interest payments but generally are not collateralized.

Brady Bonds are often viewed as having three or four valuation components: (i) the collateralized repayment of principal at final maturity; (ii) the collateralized interest payments; (iii) the uncollateralized interest payments; and (iv) any uncollateralized repayment of principal at maturity (these uncollateralized amounts constitute the "residual risk"). In the event of a default with respect to collateralized Brady Bonds as a result of which the payment obligations of the issuer are accelerated, the U.S. Treasury Zero Coupon Obligations held as collateral for the payment of principal will not be distributed to investors, nor will such obligations be sold and the proceeds distributed. The collateral will be held by the collateral agent to the scheduled maturity of the defaulted Brady Bonds, which will continue to be outstanding, at which time the face amount of the collateral will equal the principal payments due on the Brady Bonds in the normal course. However, Brady Bonds should be viewed as


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speculative in light of the history of defaults with respect to commercial bank loans by public and private entities of countries issuing Brady Bonds.

Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents are short-term fixed income securities comprising:

(1) Time deposits, certificates of deposit (including marketable variable rate certificates of deposit) and bankers' acceptances issued by a commercial bank or savings and loan association. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Certificates of deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued by commercial banks or savings and loan associations against funds deposited in the issuing institution. Variable rate certificates of deposit are certificates of deposit on which the interest rate is periodically adjusted prior to their stated maturity based upon a specified market rate. A bankers' acceptance is a time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection with an international commercial transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods).

The Portfolio may invest in obligations of U.S. banks, foreign branches of U.S. banks (Eurodollars) and U.S. branches of foreign banks (Yankee dollars). Eurodollar and Yankee dollar investments will involve some of the same risks of investing in international securities that are discussed in various foreign investing sections of this SAI.

The Portfolio will not invest in any security issued by a commercial bank unless (i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the equivalent in other currencies, or, in the case of domestic banks which do not have total assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate investment made in any one such bank is limited to $250,000 principal amount per certificate and the principal amount of such investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), (ii) in the case of U.S. banks, it is a member of the FDIC and (iii) in the case of foreign branches of U.S. banks, the security is deemed by the Adviser to be of an investment quality comparable with other debt securities which the Portfolio may purchase.

(2) The Portfolio may invest in commercial paper (see below) rated at time of purchase by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") in one of their two highest categories (e.g., A-l or A-2 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") or Prime 1 or Prime 2 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's")) or, if not rated, issued by a corporation having an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated high-grade by a NRSRO (e.g., A or better by Moody's, S&P or Fitch IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch"));

(3) Short-term corporate obligations rated high-grade at the time of purchase by a NRSRO (e.g., A or better by Moody's, S&P or Fitch);

(4) U.S. government obligations including bills, notes, bonds and other debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and differ mainly in interest rates, maturities and dates of issue;

(5) Government agency securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities and Federal agencies. These include securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Land Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Farm Credit Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, Fannie Mae, Federal Financing Bank, the TVA and others; and

(6) Repurchase agreements collateralized by the securities listed above.

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper refers to short-term fixed income securities with maturities ranging from 1 to 270 days. They are primarily issued by corporations needing to finance large amounts of receivables, but may be issued by banks and other borrowers. Commercial paper is issued either directly or through broker-dealers, and may be discounted or interest-bearing. Commercial paper is unsecured, but is almost always backed by bank lines of credit. Virtually all commercial paper is rated by Moody's or S&P.

Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P has the following characteristics: (1) liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; (2) long-term senior debt is rated "A" or better; (3) the issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing; (4) basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with allowance made for


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unusual circumstances; (5) typically, the issuer's industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry; and (6) the reliability and quality of management are unquestioned. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determine whether the issuer's commercial paper is A-1, A-2 or A-3.

The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's. Among the factors considered by Moody's in assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation of the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and the appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; (3) evaluation of the issuer's products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and quality of long-term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7) financial strength of a parent company and the relationships that exist with the issuer; and (8) recognition by the management of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations.

Commercial Paper: See Cash Equivalents.

Common Stock: Common stocks are equity securities representing an ownership interest in a corporation, entitling the stockholder to voting rights and receipt of dividends paid based on proportionate ownership.

Convertibles: A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, right, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation's capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities. Certain of the convertible securities in which the Portfolio may invest are rated below investment grade or are unrated. The prices of such securities are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes, resulting in increased volatility of market prices of these securities during periods of economic uncertainty, or adverse individual corporate developments, than higher-rated securities. In addition, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, lower rated issuers may experience financial stress.

Corporates: Corporate bonds ("Corporates") are fixed income securities issued by private corporations. Bondholders, as creditors, have a prior legal claim over common and preferred stockholders of the corporation as to both income and assets for the principal and interest due to the bondholder. The Portfolio will buy Corporates subject to any quality constraints as described in the Prospectus. If the Portfolio holds a security that is downgraded, the Portfolio may retain the security if the Adviser deems retention of the security to be in the best interests of the Portfolio.

Depositary Receipts: Depositary receipts are Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and other similar types of depositary shares. Depositary receipts are securities that can be traded in U.S. or foreign securities markets but which represent ownership interests in a security or pool of securities by a foreign or U.S. corporation. Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored. The depositary of unsponsored depositary receipts may provide less information to receipt holders.

Holders of unsponsored GDRs and EDRs generally bear all the costs associated with establishing the unsponsored GDRs and EDRs. The depositary of unsponsored GDRs and EDRs is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through to the holders of the unsponsored GDRs and EDRs voting rights with respect to the deposited securities or pool of securities. GDRs and EDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities to which they may be connected. Generally, GDRs or EDRs in registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities market and GDRs or EDRs in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. The Portfolio may invest in sponsored and unsponsored GDRs and EDRs. For purposes of the Fund's investment policies, the Portfolio's investments in GDRs or EDRs will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities.


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Derivatives: The Portfolio may, but is not required to, use various derivatives and related investment strategies as described below. Derivatives may be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Any or all of the investment techniques described herein may be used at any time and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as the use of any derivative by the Portfolio is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. The Portfolio complies with applicable regulatory requirements when using derivatives, including the earmarking of cash or the segregation of liquid assets when mandated by SEC rules or SEC staff positions. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Portfolio's investment objective, no assurance can be given that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.

General Risks of Derivatives. Derivatives utilized by the Portfolio may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which depends upon (or derives from) the value of another asset, security, interest rate or index. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying instruments, including equity and debt securities, indices, interest rates, currencies and other assets. Certain derivative instruments which the Portfolio may use and the risks of those instruments are described in further detail below. The Portfolio may in the future also utilize derivatives techniques, instruments and strategies that may be newly developed or permitted as a result of regulatory changes, consistent with the Portfolio's investment objective and policies. Such newly developed techniques, instruments and strategies may involve risks different than or in addition to those described herein. No assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed by the Portfolio will be successful.

The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments underlying such derivatives. Derivatives are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from other portfolio investments. The use of derivative instruments requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself. Certain risk factors generally applicable to derivative transactions are described below.

•  Derivatives are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to the Portfolio's interests. The Portfolio bears the risk that the Adviser may incorrectly forecast future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate or currency when establishing a derivatives position for the Portfolio.

•  Derivatives may be subject to pricing risk, which exists when a derivative becomes extraordinarily expensive (or inexpensive) relative to historical prices or corresponding instruments. Under such market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

•  Many derivatives are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Portfolio.

•  Using derivatives as a hedge against a portfolio investment subjects the Portfolio to the risk that the derivative will have imperfect correlation with the portfolio investment, which could result in the Portfolio incurring substantial losses. This correlation risk may be greater in the case of derivatives based on an index or other basket of securities, as the portfolio securities being hedged may not duplicate the components of the underlying index or the basket may not be of exactly the same type of obligation as those underlying the derivative. The use of derivatives for "cross hedging" purposes (using a derivative based on one instrument as a hedge on a different instrument) may also involve greater correlation risks.

•  While using derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce the Portfolio's risk of loss, it may also limit the Portfolio's opportunity for gains or result in losses by offsetting or limiting the Portfolio's ability to participate in favorable price movements in portfolio investments.

•  Derivatives transactions for non-hedging purposes involve greater risks and may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio securities or declines in the cost of securities to be acquired. In the event that the Portfolio enters into a derivatives transaction as an alternative to purchasing or selling the underlying instrument or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the Portfolio will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the underlying instruments directly as well as additional risks associated with derivatives transactions.

•  The use of certain derivatives transactions, including OTC derivatives, involves the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure by the counterparty


8



to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Portfolio may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction.

•  Liquidity risk exists when a particular derivative is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, the Portfolio may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.

•  While some derivatives are cleared through a regulated, central clearinghouse, many derivatives transactions are not entered into or traded on exchanges or in markets regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") or the SEC. Instead, such bilateral OTC derivatives are entered into directly by the Portfolio and a counterparty and may be traded only through financial institutions acting as market makers. OTC derivatives transactions can only be entered into with a willing counterparty that is approved by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines established by the Board. Where no such counterparty is available, the Portfolio will be unable to enter into a desired OTC transaction. There also may be greater risk that no liquid secondary market in the trading of OTC derivatives will exist, in which case the Portfolio may be required to hold such instruments until exercise, expiration or maturity. Many of the protections afforded to participants in the cleared derivatives markets are not available to participants in bilateral OTC derivatives transactions. Bilateral OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of a clearinghouse and, as a result, the Portfolio would bear greater risk of default by the counterparties to such transactions.

•  The Portfolio may be required to make physical delivery of portfolio securities underlying a derivative in order to close out a derivatives position or to sell portfolio securities at a time or price at which it may be disadvantageous to do so in order to obtain cash to close out or to maintain a derivatives position.

•  As a result of the structure of certain derivatives, adverse changes in, among other things, interest rates, volatility or the value of the underlying instrument can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

•  Certain derivatives may be considered illiquid and therefore subject to the Portfolio's limitation on investments in illiquid securities.

•  Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on foreign exchanges. Many of the risks of OTC derivatives transactions are also applicable to derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States. Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States are subject to the risk of governmental action affecting the trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions could be adversely affected by foreign political and economic factors; lesser availability of data on which to make trading decisions; delays on the Portfolio's ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets; and less liquidity than U.S. markets.

•  Currency derivatives are subject to additional risks. Currency derivatives transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages and manipulations. Currency exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a country's economy. There is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to foreign currencies. As a result, the available information on which trading in currency derivatives will be based may not be as complete as comparable data for other transactions. Events could occur in the foreign currency market which will not be reflected in currency derivatives until the following day, making it more difficult for the Portfolio to respond to such events in a timely manner.

Regulatory Matters. As described herein, the Portfolio may be required to cover its potential economic exposure to certain derivatives transactions by holding an offsetting financial position and/or earmarking cash or segregating liquid assets equal in value to the Portfolio's potential economic exposure under the transaction. The Portfolio will cover such transactions as described herein or in such other manner in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Assets used to cover derivatives transactions cannot be sold while the derivatives position is open, unless they are replaced by other appropriate assets. Earmarked cash or segregated liquid assets and assets held in margin accounts are not otherwise available to the Portfolio for investment purposes. If a large portion of the Portfolio's assets are used to cover derivatives transactions or are otherwise earmarked or segregated, it could affect portfolio management or the Portfolio's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.


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With respect to derivatives which are cash settled (i.e., have no physical delivery requirement), the Portfolio is permitted to earmark cash or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the Portfolio's daily marked-to-market net obligations (i.e., the Portfolio's daily net liability) under the derivative, if any, rather than the derivative's full notional amount or the market value of the instrument underlying the derivative, as applicable. By segregating assets equal to only its net obligations under cash-settled derivatives, the Portfolio will have the ability to employ leverage to a greater extent than if the Portfolio were required to segregate assets equal to the full notional amount of the derivative or the market value of the underlying instrument, as applicable.

Regulatory developments affecting the exchange-traded and OTC derivatives markets may impair the Portfolio's ability to manage or hedge its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act") and the rules promulgated thereunder may limit the ability of the Portfolio to enter into one or more exchange-traded or OTC derivatives transactions.

The Portfolio's use of derivatives may also be limited by the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for qualification as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, has filed a notice of eligibility with the National Futures Association ("NFA") claiming an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" ("CPO") pursuant to CFTC Regulation 4.5, as promulgated under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended ("CEA"), with respect to the Portfolio's operations. Therefore, neither the Portfolio nor the Adviser (with respect to the Portfolio) is subject to registration or regulation as a CPO under the CEA. If the Portfolio becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, the Portfolio may incur additional compliance and other expenses.

With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other commodity interests used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order for its investment adviser to claim an exemption from being considered a CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company's positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company's portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company's portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets.

Emerging Market Securities: The Portfolio may invest in emerging market securities. An emerging market security is one issued by a foreign government or private issuer that has one or more of the following characteristics: (i) its principal securities trading market is in an emerging market or developing country, (ii) alone or on a consolidated basis it derives 50% or more of its annual revenue from goods produced, sales made or services performed in emerging markets or (iii) it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging market or developing country. Based on these criteria it is possible for a security to be considered issued by an issuer in more than one country. Therefore, it is possible for the securities of any issuer that has one or more of these characteristics in connection with any emerging market or developing country to be an emerging market security when held in one Portfolio, but not considered an emerging market security when held in another Portfolio if it has one or more of these characteristics in connection with a developed country.

Emerging market describes any country which is generally considered to be an emerging or developing country by major organizations in the international financial community, such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (more commonly known as the World Bank) and the International Finance Corporation.

The economies of individual emerging market or developing countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation or deflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in


10



relative currency values and other protectionist measures. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.

Prior governmental approval for foreign investments may be required under certain circumstances in some emerging market or developing countries, and the extent of foreign investment in certain fixed income securities and domestic companies may be subject to limitations in other emerging market or developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies in emerging market or developing countries to prevent, among other concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging countries. The Portfolio could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental registration or approval for such repatriation. Any investment subject to such repatriation controls will be considered illiquid if it appears reasonably likely that this process will take more than seven days.

Investment in emerging market or developing countries may entail purchasing securities issued by or on behalf of entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise engaged in an attempt to reorganize or reschedule their obligations, and in entities that have little or no proven credit rating or credit history. In any such case, the issuer's poor or deteriorating financial condition may increase the likelihood that the Portfolio will experience losses or diminution in available gains due to bankruptcy, insolvency or fraud. Emerging market or developing countries also pose the risk of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political changes, government regulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war) that could adversely affect the economies of such countries or the value of the Portfolio's investments in those countries. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment in a court outside the United States.

The Portfolio may also be exposed to an extra degree of custodial and/or market risk, especially where the securities purchased are not traded on an official exchange or where ownership records regarding the securities are maintained by an unregulated entity (or even the issuer itself).

Equity Securities: Equity securities generally represent an ownership interest in an issuer, or may be convertible into or represent a right to acquire an ownership interest in an issuer. While there are many types of equity securities, prices of all equity securities will fluctuate. Economic, political and other events may affect the prices of broad equity markets. For example, changes in inflation or consumer demand may affect the prices of equity securities generally in the United States. Similar events also may affect the prices of particular equity securities. For example, news about the success or failure of a new product may affect the price of a particular issuer's equity securities. Equity securities may include the following types of instruments, each of which is described in this SAI: ADRs, Common Stock, Convertibles, Depositary Receipts, Investment Companies, Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests, Preferred Stock, Real Estate Investing, Rights and Warrants.

Fixed Income Securities: Fixed income securities generally represent an issuer's obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical fixed income security specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.

Fixed income securities come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). Prices of fixed income securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk, and spread risk. Fixed income securities may include the following types of instruments, each of which is described in this SAI: Agencies, Asset-Backed Securities, Cash Equivalents, Corporates, Floaters, High Yield Securities, Inverse Floaters, Investment Grade Securities, Loan Participations and Assignments, Mortgage Related Securities, Municipals, Public Bank Loans, Repurchase Agreements, U.S. Government Securities, When, As and If Issued Securities, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments, Yankee and Eurobond Obligations and Zero Coupons.

Interest rate risk arises due to general changes in the level of market rates after the purchase of a fixed income security. Generally, the values of fixed income securities vary inversely with changes in interest rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of most outstanding fixed income securities generally rise and during periods of rising interest rates, the values of most fixed income securities generally decline. The historically low interest rate environment increases the risk associated with rising interest rates. The Fund may face a heightened level of risk, especially since the Federal Reserve Board has ended its quantitative easing program and may begin to raise rates.


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While fixed income securities with longer final maturities often have higher yields than those with shorter maturities, they usually possess greater price sensitivity to changes in interest rates and other factors. Traditionally, the remaining term to maturity has been used as a barometer of a fixed income security's sensitivity to interest rate changes. This measure, however, considers only the time until the final principal payment and takes no account of the pattern or amount of principal or interest payments prior to maturity. Duration combines consideration of yield, coupon, interest and principal payments, final maturity, and call (prepayment) features. Duration measures the likely percentage change in a fixed income security's price for a small parallel shift in the general level of interest rates; it is also an estimate of the weighted average life of the remaining cash flows of a fixed income security. In almost all cases, the duration of a fixed income security is shorter than its term to maturity.

Credit risk, also known as default risk, represents the possibility that an issuer may be unable to meet scheduled interest and principal payment obligations. It is most often associated with corporate bonds, although it can be present in other fixed income securities, as well (note that the market generally assumes that obligations of the U.S. Treasury are free from credit risk). Credit ratings and quantitative models attempt to measure the degree of credit risk in fixed income securities, and provide insight as to whether prevailing yield spreads afford sufficient compensation for such risk. Other things being equal, fixed income securities with high degrees of credit risk should trade in the market at lower prices (and higher yields) than fixed income securities with low degrees of credit risk.

Prepayment risk, also known as call risk, arises due to the issuer's ability to prepay all or most of the fixed income security prior to the stated final maturity date. Prepayments generally rise in response to a decline in interest rates as debtors take advantage of the opportunity to refinance their obligations. This risk is often associated with mortgage securities where the underlying mortgage loans can be refinanced, although it can also be present in corporate or other types of bonds with call provisions. When a prepayment occurs, the Portfolio may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding fixed income securities. Quantitative models are designed to help assess the degree of prepayment risk, and provide insight as to whether prevailing yield spreads afford sufficient compensation for such risk.

Spread risk is the potential for the value of the Portfolio's assets to fall due to the widening of spreads. Fixed income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference (or "spread") between the yield of a security and the yield of a benchmark, such as a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity, measures the additional interest paid for credit risk. As the spread on a security widens (or increases), the price (or value) of the security falls. Spread widening may occur, among other reasons, as a result of market concerns over the stability of the market, excess supply, general credit concerns in other markets, security- or market-specific credit concerns or general reductions in risk tolerance.

While assets in fixed income markets have grown rapidly in recent years, the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. For example, primary dealer inventories of corporate bonds, which provide a core indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to "make markets," are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. This reduction in market-making capacity may be a persistent change, to the extent it is resulting from broader structural changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks at broker-dealers and increased regulatory capital requirements. Because market makers provide stability to a market through their intermediary services, the significant reduction in dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed income markets. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty.

Economic, political and other events also may affect the prices of broad fixed income markets, although the risks associated with such events are transmitted to the market via changes in the prevailing levels of interest rates, credit risk, prepayment risk or spread risk.

Floaters: Floaters are fixed income securities with a floating or variable rate of interest, i.e., the rate of interest varies with changes in specified market rates or indices, such as the prime rate, or at specified intervals. Certain floating or variable rate obligations may carry a demand feature that permits the holder to tender them back to the issuer of the underlying instrument, or to a third-party, at par value prior to maturity. When the demand feature of certain floating or variable rate obligations represents an obligation of a foreign entity, the demand feature will be subject to certain risks discussed under the various foreign investing sections.

Foreign Currency: The Portfolio will regularly transact security purchases and sales in foreign currencies when investing in foreign securities. The Portfolio may hold foreign currency or purchase or sell currencies on a forward basis. See Forwards, below.


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Foreign Currency Warrants. The Portfolio may invest in foreign currency warrants, which entitle the holder to receive from the issuer an amount of cash (generally, for warrants issued in the United States, in U.S. dollars) which is calculated pursuant to a predetermined formula and based on the exchange rate between a specified foreign currency and the U.S. dollar as of the exercise date of the warrant. Foreign currency warrants generally are exercisable upon their issuance and expire as of a specified date and time.

Foreign currency warrants have been issued in connection with U.S. dollar-denominated debt offerings by major corporate issuers in an attempt to reduce the foreign currency exchange risk which, from the point of view of prospective purchasers of the securities, is inherent in the international fixed income marketplace. Foreign currency warrants may attempt to reduce the foreign exchange risk assumed by purchasers of a security by, for example, providing for a supplemental payment in the event that the U.S. dollar depreciates against the value of a major foreign currency such as the Japanese Yen. The formula used to determine the amount payable upon exercise of a foreign currency warrant may make the warrant worthless unless the applicable foreign currency exchange rate moves in a particular direction (e.g., unless the U.S. dollar appreciates or depreciates against the particular foreign currency to which the warrant is linked or indexed). Foreign currency warrants are severable from the debt obligations with which they may be offered, and may be listed on exchanges.

Foreign currency warrants may be exercisable only in certain minimum amounts, and an investor wishing to exercise warrants who possesses less than the minimum number required for exercise may be required either to sell the warrants or to purchase additional warrants, thereby incurring additional transaction costs. In the case of any exercise of warrants, there may be a delay between the time a holder of warrants gives instructions to exercise and the time the exchange rate relating to exercise is determined, during which time the exchange rate could change significantly, thereby affecting both the market and cash settlement values of the warrants being exercised. The expiration date of the warrants may be accelerated if the warrants should be delisted from an exchange or if their trading should be suspended permanently, which would result in the loss of any remaining "time value" of the warrants (i.e., the difference between the current market value and the exercise value of the warrants), and, in the case where the warrants were "out-of-the-money," in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants.

Foreign currency warrants are generally unsecured obligations of their issuers and are not standardized foreign currency options issued by the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"). Unlike foreign currency options issued by the OCC, the terms of foreign exchange warrants generally will not be amended in the event of governmental or regulatory actions affecting exchange rates or in the event of the imposition of other regulatory controls affecting the international currency markets. The initial public offering price of foreign currency warrants is generally considerably in excess of the price that a commercial user of foreign currencies might pay in the interbank market for a comparable option involving significantly larger amounts of foreign currencies. Foreign currency warrants are subject to complex political or economic factors.

Principal Exchange Rate Linked Securities. Principal exchange rate linked securities are debt obligations the principal on which is payable at maturity in an amount that may vary based on the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and a particular foreign currency at or about that time. The return on "standard" principal exchange rate linked securities is enhanced if the foreign currency to which the security is linked appreciates against the U.S. dollar, and is adversely affected by increases in the foreign exchange value of the U.S. dollar; "reverse" principal exchange rate linked securities are like the "standard" securities, except that their return is enhanced by increases in the value of the U.S. dollar and adversely impacted by increases in the value of foreign currency. Interest payments on the securities are generally made in U.S. dollars at rates that reflect the degree of foreign currency risk assumed or given up by the purchaser of the notes (i.e., at relatively higher interest rates if the purchaser has assumed some of the foreign exchange risk, or relatively lower interest rates if the issuer has assumed some of the foreign exchange risk, based on the expectations of the current market). Principal exchange rate linked securities may in limited cases be subject to acceleration of maturity (generally, not without the consent of the holders of the securities), which may have an adverse impact on the value of the principal payment to be made at maturity.

Performance indexed paper. Performance indexed paper is U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper the yield of which is linked to certain foreign exchange rate movements. The yield to the investor will be within a range stipulated at the time of purchase of the obligation, generally with a guaranteed minimum rate of return that is below, and a potential maximum rate of return that is above, market yields on U.S. dollar-denominated commercial paper, with both the minimum and maximum rates of return on the investment corresponding to the minimum and maximum values of the spot exchange rate two business days prior to maturity.


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Foreign Securities: Foreign securities may include Brady Bonds, Emerging Market Securities, Foreign Currency, Foreign Equity Securities (defined below), Foreign Fixed Income Securities (defined below) and Investment Funds. Investing in foreign securities involves certain special risks not typically associated with investing in domestic securities. Since the securities of foreign issuers are frequently denominated in foreign currencies, and since the Portfolio may temporarily hold uninvested reserves in bank deposits in foreign currencies, the Portfolio will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency rates and in exchange control regulations, and may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. The Portfolio may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge their respective holdings and commitments against changes in the level of future currency rates. See Forwards, below. Such contracts involve an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date at a price set at the time of the contract.

As non-U.S. companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers, there may be less publicly available information about certain foreign securities than about domestic securities. Securities of some foreign issuers are generally less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed issuers than in the United States. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect U.S. investments in those countries.

Although the Adviser will endeavor to achieve most favorable execution costs in their portfolio transactions, fixed commissions on many foreign exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets which have historically been considered stable may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. In addition, it is expected that the expenses for custodian arrangements of the Portfolio's foreign securities will be somewhat greater than the expenses for the custodian arrangements for handling U.S. securities of equal value.

Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Portfolio's ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Portfolio's investments in such securities harder to value. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, may adversely affect the Portfolio's foreign holdings or exposures. Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets, or the imposition of punitive taxes. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in foreign countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Portfolio's investments. For example, the governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Portfolio's ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Portfolio's assets back into the U.S., or otherwise adversely affect the Portfolio's operations. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Portfolio, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Certain foreign investments may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities. When the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value.

Certain foreign governments may levy withholding or other taxes on dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes is recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income received from investments in such countries. The Portfolio may be able to pass through to its shareholders a credit for U.S. tax purposes with respect to any such foreign taxes.

The Adviser considers an issuer to be from a particular country or geographic region if (i) its principal securities trading market is in that country or geographic region; (ii) alone or on a consolidated basis it derives 50%


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or more of its annual revenue from goods produced, sales made or services performed in that country or geographic region; or (iii) it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, that country or geographic region. By applying these tests, it is possible that a particular company could be deemed to be from more than one country or geographic region.

Foreign Equity Securities. Foreign equity securities are equity securities of foreign issuers denominated in foreign currency and traded primarily in non-U.S. markets, including Depositary Receipts.

Foreign Fixed Income Securities. Foreign fixed income securities are fixed income securities which may be U.S. dollar denominated or denominated in a foreign currency, which include: (1) obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign national governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, or political subdivisions ("sovereign debt"); (2) debt securities issued, guaranteed or sponsored by supranational organizations established or supported by several national governments, including the World Bank, the European Community, the Asian Development Bank and others; (3) non-government foreign corporate debt securities; and (4) foreign mortgage securities and various other mortgages and asset-backed securities.

Certain emerging market countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. The issuer or governmental authority that controls the repayment of sovereign debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or pay interest when due in accordance with the terms of such obligations.

Forwards: A foreign currency forward exchange contract is a negotiated agreement between two parties to exchange specified amounts of two or more currencies at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate specified by the foreign currency forward exchange contract can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Currency futures are similar to foreign currency forward exchange contracts, except that they are traded on an exchange and standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in losses to the Portfolio and poorer overall performance for the Portfolio than if it had not entered into foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts under various circumstances. The typical use of a foreign currency forward exchange contract is to "lock in" the price of a security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency, which the Portfolio is holding in its portfolio. By entering into a foreign currency forward exchange contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Portfolio may be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign currency in which the security is denominated during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. The Adviser also may from time to time utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts for other purposes. For example, they may be used to hedge a foreign security held in the portfolio against a decline in value of the applicable foreign currency. They also may be used to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in which those securities anticipated to be purchased are denominated. At times, the Portfolio may enter into "cross-currency" hedging transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities are held or proposed to be purchased are denominated.

The Portfolio will not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or maintain a net exposure to these contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate the Portfolio to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Portfolio's portfolio securities.

When required by law, the Portfolio will earmark cash or segregate U.S. government securities or other appropriate liquid portfolio securities in an amount equal to the value of the Portfolio's total assets committed to the consummation of foreign currency forward exchange contracts entered into under the circumstances set forth above. If the value of the securities so earmarked declines, additional cash or securities will be segregated or earmarked on a daily basis so that the value of such securities will equal the amount of the Portfolio's commitments with respect to such contracts.

The Portfolio may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions involving foreign currency forward exchange contracts by the Code requirements relating to qualification as a regulated investment company.

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts also may increase the Portfolio's volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash.


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Futures Contracts: A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time (the "settlement date"). Futures contracts may be based on, among other things, a specified equity security (securities futures), a specified debt security or reference rate (interest rate futures), the value of a specified securities index (index futures) or the value of a foreign currency (currency futures). The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. The buyer of a futures contract agrees to purchase the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be "long" the contract. The seller of a futures contract agrees to sell the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be "short" the contract. Futures contracts call for settlement only on the expiration date and cannot be "exercised" at any other time during their term.

Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date (such as in the case of securities futures based on a specified debt security) or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date (such as in the case of futures contracts relating to broad-based securities indices). In the case of cash-settled futures contracts, the settlement amount is equal to the difference between the reference instrument's price on the last trading day of the contract and the reference instrument's price at the time the contract was entered into. Most futures contracts, particularly futures contracts requiring physical delivery, are not held until the settlement date, but instead are offset before the settlement date through the establishment of an opposite and equal futures position (buying a contract that had been sold, or selling a contract that had been purchased). All futures transactions are effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the futures are traded.

The buyer and seller of a futures contract are not required to deliver or pay for the underlying commodity unless the contract is held until the settlement date. However, both the buyer and seller are required to deposit "initial margin" with a futures commission merchant when the futures contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as a percentage of the contract's market value. If the value of either party's position declines, the party will be required to make additional "variation margin" payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The process is known as "marking-to-market." Upon the closing of a futures position through the establishment of an offsetting position, a final determination of variation margin will be made and additional cash will be paid by or released to the Portfolio.

In addition, the Portfolio may be required to earmark cash or segregate liquid assets or maintain earmarked cash or segregated liquid assets in order to cover futures transactions. The Portfolio will earmark cash or segregate liquid assets in an amount equal to the difference between the market value of a futures contract entered into by the Portfolio and the aggregate value of the initial and variation margin payments made by the Portfolio with respect to such contract or as otherwise permitted by SEC rules or SEC staff positions. See "Regulatory Matters" above.

Additional Risks of Futures Transactions. The risks associated with futures contract transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Futures are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of futures requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the futures contract itself. Futures may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

•  The risk of loss in buying and selling futures contracts can be substantial. Small price movements in the commodity underlying a futures position may result in immediate and substantial loss (or gain) to the Portfolio.

•  Buying and selling futures contracts may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the position in the form of initial margin. In the event of adverse price movements in the underlying commodity, security, index, currency or instrument, the Portfolio would be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. The Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio securities, or make or take delivery of the underlying securities in order to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The Portfolio could lose margin payments deposited with a futures commission merchant if the futures commission merchant breaches its agreement with the Portfolio, becomes insolvent or declares bankruptcy.

•  Most exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during any single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular futures contract, no trades may be made on that day at prices beyond that limit. If futures contract prices were to move to the daily limit for several trading days with little or no trading, the Portfolio could be prevented from prompt liquidation of a futures


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position and subject to substantial losses. The daily limit governs only price movements during a single trading day and therefore does not limit the Portfolio's potential losses.

•  Index futures based upon a narrower index of securities may present greater risks than futures based on broad market indices, as narrower indices are more susceptible to rapid and extreme fluctuations as a result of changes in value of a small number of securities.

High Yield Securities: High yield securities are fixed income securities, generally Corporates, Preferred Stocks and Convertibles, rated Ba through C by Moody's or BB through D by S&P, and unrated fixed income securities considered to be of equivalent quality. Securities rated less than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P are classified as non-investment grade securities and are commonly referred to as "junk bonds" or high yield, high risk securities. Such securities carry a high degree of risk and are considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies. See Appendix B for more information about fixed income security ratings. Investment grade securities that the Portfolio holds may be downgraded to below investment grade by the rating agencies. If the Portfolio holds a security that is downgraded, the Portfolio may choose to retain the security.

While fixed income securities rated below investment grade offer high yields, they also normally carry with them a greater degree of risk than securities with higher ratings. Lower-rated bonds are considered speculative by traditional investment standards. High yield securities may be issued as a consequence of corporate restructuring or similar events. Also, high yield securities are often issued by smaller, less credit worthy companies, or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more established or less leveraged firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. High yield securities issued under these circumstances pose substantial risks. The price movement of high yield securities is influenced less by changes in interest rates and more by the financial and business position of the issuing corporation when compared to investment grade bonds. Compared with investment grade securities, the values of high yield securities tend to be more volatile and may react with greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates.

The high yield market is subject to credit risk. Default rates and recoveries fluctuate, driven by numerous factors including the general economy. In addition, the secondary market for high yield securities is generally less liquid than that for investment grade corporate securities. In periods of reduced market liquidity, high yield bond prices may become more volatile, and both the high yield market and the Portfolio may experience sudden and substantial price declines.

A lower level of liquidity might have an effect on the Portfolio's ability to value or dispose of such securities. Also, there may be significant disparities in the prices quoted for high yield securities by various dealers. Under such conditions, the Portfolio may find it difficult to value its securities accurately. The Portfolio may also be forced to sell securities at a significant loss in order to meet shareholder redemptions. These factors add to the risks associated with investing in high yield securities.

High yield bonds may also present risks based on payment expectations. For example, high yield bonds may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a declining interest rate market, the Portfolio would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for investors.

Certain types of high yield bonds are non-income paying securities. For example, zero coupons pay interest only at maturity and payment-in-kind bonds pay interest in the form of additional securities. Payment in the form of additional securities, or interest income recognized through discount accretion, will, however, be treated as ordinary income which will be distributed to shareholders even though the Portfolio does not receive periodic cash flow from these investments.

Inverse Floaters: Inverse floating rate obligations are obligations which pay interest at rates that vary inversely with changes in market rates of interest. Because the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations is generally determined by subtracting a variable or floating rate from a predetermined amount, the interest rate paid to holders of such obligations will decrease as such variable or floating rate increases and increase as such variable or floating rate decreases.

Like most other fixed-income securities, the value of inverse floaters will decrease as interest rates increase. They are more volatile, however, than most other fixed-income securities because the coupon rate on an inverse floater typically changes at a multiple of the change in the relevant index rate. Thus, any rise in the index rate (as a


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consequence of an increase in interest rates) causes a correspondingly greater drop in the coupon rate of an inverse floater while a drop in the index rate causes a correspondingly greater increase in the coupon of an inverse floater. Some inverse floaters may also increase or decrease substantially because of changes in the rate of prepayments.

Inverse floating rate investments are variable debt instruments that pay interest at rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates. 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.

Investment Companies: Investment company securities are equity securities and include securities of other open-end, closed-end and unregistered investment companies, including foreign investment companies, hedge funds and exchange-traded funds. The 1940 Act generally prohibits the Portfolio from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment company and limits such investments to no more than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets in any one investment company and no more than 10% in any combination of investment companies. The 1940 Act also prohibits the Portfolio from acquiring in the aggregate more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of any registered closed-end investment company. The Portfolio may invest in investment company securities of investment companies managed by the Adviser or its affiliates to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or as otherwise authorized by the SEC. To the extent the Portfolio invests a portion of its assets in investment company securities, those assets will be subject to the risks of the purchased investment company's portfolio securities, and a shareholder in the Portfolio will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Portfolio, but also, indirectly the expenses of the purchased investment company.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Portfolio may invest all or some of its short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. In connection with any such investments, the Portfolio, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, will pay its share of all expenses (other than advisory and administrative fees) of a money market fund in which it invests which may result in the Portfolio bearing some additional expenses. The SEC recently adopted changes to the rules that govern money market funds. These changes have a phase-in period ranging from mid-2015 (primarily for certain new disclosure-related requirements) to the latter half of 2016 (for the most significant changes, such as the imposition of a floating NAV and the possible imposition of redemption fees and/or the temporary suspension of redemption privileges if a fund's portfolio liquidity falls below certain required minimum levels because of market conditions or other factors). While the industry is still assessing the impact of these rule changes, they may affect the investment strategies, performance, operating expenses and structure of money market funds.

Exchange-Traded Funds ("ETFs"). The Portfolio may invest in ETFs. Investments in ETFs are subject to a variety of risks, including risks of a direct investment in the underlying securities that the ETF holds. For example, the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of the underlying investments of the ETF and, consequently, the value of the ETF. In addition, the market value of the ETF shares may differ from their NAV because the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities. Also, ETFs that track particular indices typically will be unable to match the performance of the index exactly due to, among other things, the ETF's operating expenses and transaction costs. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Portfolio. Therefore, as a shareholder in an ETF, the Portfolio would bear its ratable share of that entity's expenses. At the same time, the Portfolio would continue to pay its own investment management fees and other expenses. As a result, the Portfolio and its shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in ETFs. Further, certain of the ETFs in which the Portfolio may invest are leveraged. The more the Portfolio invests in such leveraged ETFs, the more this leverage will magnify any losses on those investments.

Investment Funds: Some emerging market countries have laws and regulations that currently preclude or limit direct foreign investment in the securities of their companies. However, certain emerging market countries through investment funds permit indirect foreign investment in the securities of companies listed and traded on the stock exchanges in these countries. The Portfolio will invest in such Investment Funds only where appropriate given that the Portfolio's shareholders will bear indirectly the layer of expenses of the underlying investment funds in addition to their proportionate share of the expenses of the Portfolio.

Investment Grade Securities: Investment grade securities are fixed income securities that are (a) rated by one or more NRSROs in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P or Fitch or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody's); (b) guaranteed by the U.S. Government or a private issuer; or (c) considered by the Adviser to be investment grade quality. Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the


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lowest of four levels of investment grade securities and are regarded as borderline between definitely sound obligations and those in which the speculative element begins to predominate. The Portfolio is permitted to hold investment grade securities or "high grade" securities, and may hold unrated securities if the Adviser considers the risks involved in owning that security to be equivalent to the risks involved in holding an investment grade security. The Adviser may retain securities if their ratings fall below investment grade if it deems retention of the security to be in the best interests of the Portfolio.

Mortgage securities, including mortgage pass-throughs and CMOs, deemed investment grade by the Adviser, will either carry a guarantee from an agency or instrumentality of the U.S. Government or a private issuer of the timely payment of principal and interest (such guarantees do not extend to the market value of such securities or the NAV per share of the Portfolio) or, in the case of unrated securities, are considered by the Adviser to be investment grade quality.

Leverage Risks: Certain transactions may give rise to a form of leverage. To mitigate leveraging risk, the Portfolio will earmark or segregate liquid assets or otherwise cover the transactions that may give rise to such risk as required by applicable rules and regulatory pronouncements of the SEC. The use of leverage may cause the Portfolio to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet segregation requirements. Leverage, including borrowing, may cause the Portfolio to be more volatile than if the Portfolio had not been leveraged. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Portfolio's portfolio securities.

Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests: A limited partnership interest entitles the Portfolio to participate in the investment return of the partnership's assets as defined by the agreement among the partners. As a limited partner, the Portfolio generally is not permitted to participate in the management of the partnership. However, unlike a general partner whose liability is not limited, a limited partner's liability generally is limited to the amount of its commitment to the partnership. The Portfolio may invest in limited liability company interests to the same extent it invests in limited partnership interests. Limited liability company interests have similar characteristics as limited partnership interests.

Loan Participations and Assignments: Loan participations and assignments are fixed income securities. The Portfolio may invest in fixed rate and floating rate loans ("Loans") arranged through private negotiations between an issuer and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). The Portfolio's investments in Loans are expected in most instances to be in the form of participation in Loans ("Participations") and assignments of all or a portion of Loans ("Assignments") from third-parties. In the case of a Participation, the Portfolio will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. If a Lender selling a Participation becomes insolvent, the Portfolio may be treated as a general creditor of the Lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the Lender and the borrower. Certain Participations may be structured in a manner designed to avoid purchasers of Participations being subject to the credit risk of the Lender with respect to the Participation. Even under such a structure, in the event of the Lender's insolvency, the Lender's servicing of the Participation may be delayed and the assignability of the Participation may be impaired. The Portfolio will acquire Participations only if the Lender interpositioned between the Portfolio and the borrower is determined by the Adviser to be creditworthy.

When the Portfolio purchases Assignments from Lenders it will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the Loan. However, because Assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by the Portfolio as the purchaser of an Assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning Lender. Because there is no liquid market for such securities, the Portfolio anticipates that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the value of such securities and the Portfolio's ability to dispose of particular Assignments or Participations when necessary to meet the Portfolio's liquidity needs or in response to a specific economic event, such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the borrower. The lack of a liquid secondary market for Assignments and Participations also may make it more difficult for the Portfolio to assign a value to those securities for purposes of valuing the Portfolio's holdings and calculating its NAV.

Participations and Assignments involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the borrower. In addition, they may offer less legal protection to the Portfolio in the event of fraud or misrepresentation and may involve a risk of insolvency of the Lender. Certain Participations and Assignments may also include standby financing commitments that obligate the Portfolio to supply additional cash to the borrower on demand.


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Participations involving emerging market country issuers may relate to Loans as to which there has been or currently exists an event of default or other failure to make payment when due, and may represent amounts owed to Lenders that are themselves subject to political and economic risks, including the risk of currency devaluation, expropriation, or failure. Those Participations and Assignments present additional risk of default or loss.

Mortgage Related Securities: Mortgage related securities are securities that, directly or indirectly, represent a participation in, or are secured by and payable from, mortgage loans on real property. Mortgage related securities include collateralized mortgage obligations and MBS issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government or by private sector entities.

Mortgage-Backed Securities. With MBS, many mortgagees' obligations to make monthly payments to their lending institution are pooled together and passed through to investors. The pools are assembled by various governmental, government-related and private organizations. The Portfolio may invest in securities issued or guaranteed by Ginnie Mae, Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, private issuers and other government agencies. MBS issued by non-agency issuers, whether or not such securities are subject to guarantees, may entail greater risk, since private issuers may not be able to meet their obligations under the policies. If there is no guarantee provided by the issuer, the Portfolio will purchase only MBS that, at the time of purchase, are rated investment grade by one or more NRSROs or, if unrated, are deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable quality.

MBS are issued or guaranteed by private sector originators of or investors in mortgage loans and structured similarly to governmental pass-through securities. Because private pass-throughs typically lack a guarantee by an entity having the credit status of a governmental agency or instrumentality, however, they are generally structured with one or more of the types of credit enhancement described below. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac obligations are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government as Ginnie Mae certificates are. Freddie Mac securities are supported by Freddie Mac's right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. Each of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantees timely distributions of interest to certificate holders. Each of Ginnie Mae and Fannie Mae also guarantees timely distributions of scheduled principal. Although Freddie Mac has in the past guaranteed only the ultimate collection of principal of the underlying mortgage loan, Freddie Mac now issues MBS (Freddie Mac Gold PCS) that also guarantee timely payment of monthly principal reductions. Resolution Funding Corporation ("REFCORP") obligations are backed, as to principal payments, by zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds and, as to interest payments, ultimately by the U.S. Treasury.

There are two methods of trading MBS. A specified pool transaction is a trade in which the pool number of the security to be delivered on the settlement date is known at the time the trade is made. This is in contrast with the typical MBS transaction, called a TBA (To Be Announced) transaction, in which the type of MBS to be delivered is specified at the time of trade but the actual pool numbers of the securities that will be delivered are not known at the time of the trade. The pool numbers of the pools to be delivered at settlement are announced shortly before settlement takes place. The terms of the TBA trade may be made more specific if desired. Generally, agency pass-through MBS are traded on a TBA basis. See also "Leverage Risks."

Like fixed income securities in general, MBS will generally decline in price when interest rates rise. Rising interest rates also tend to discourage refinancings of home mortgages, with the result that the average life of MBS held by the Portfolio may be lengthened. As average life extends, price volatility generally increases. This extension of average life causes the market price of the MBS to decrease further when interest rates rise than if their average lives were fixed. However, when interest rates fall, mortgages may not enjoy as large a gain in market value due to prepayment risk because additional mortgage prepayments must be reinvested at lower interest rates. Faster prepayment will shorten the average life and slower prepayments will lengthen it. However, it is possible to determine what the range of the average life movement could be and to calculate the effect that it will have on the price of the MBS. In selecting MBS, the Adviser looks for those that offer a higher yield to compensate for any variation in average maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Portfolio may fail to fully recoup its initial investment in these securities, even if the security is in one of the highest rating categories. The Portfolio may invest, without limit, in MBS issued by private issuers when the Adviser deems that the quality of the investment, the quality of the issuer, and market conditions warrant such investments. The Portfolio will purchase securities issued by private issuers that are rated investment grade at the time of purchase by Moody's, Fitch or S&P or are deemed by the Adviser to be of comparable investment quality.

Fannie Mae Certificates. Fannie Mae is a federally chartered and privately owned corporation organized and existing under the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act of 1938. Each Fannie Mae certificate represents a pro rata interest in one or more pools of mortgage loans insured by the FHA under the Housing Act,


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or Title V of the Housing Act of 1949 ("FHA Loans"), or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, as amended ("VA Loans") or conventional mortgage loans (i.e., mortgage loans that are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency) of the following types: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate growing equity mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (iv) variable rate California mortgage loans; (v) other adjustable rate mortgage loans; and (vi) fixed rate and adjustable mortgage loans secured by multi-family projects.

Freddie Mac Certificates. Freddie Mac is a corporate instrumentality of the United States created pursuant to the Emergency Home Finance Act of 1970, as amended (the "FHLMC Act"). Freddie Mac certificates represent a pro rata interest in a group of mortgage loans (a "Freddie Mac Certificate group") purchased by Freddie Mac. The mortgage loans underlying the Freddie Mac Certificates consist of fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage loans with original terms to maturity of between ten and thirty years, substantially all of which are secured by first liens on one-to-four-family residential properties or multi-family projects. Each mortgage loan must meet the applicable standards set forth in the FHLMC Act. A Freddie Mac Certificate group may include whole loans, participation interests in whole loans and undivided interests in whole loans and participations comprising another Freddie Mac Certificate group.

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that the government would be taking over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and placing the companies into a conservatorship. In addition, the U.S. Treasury announced additional steps that it intended to take with respect to the debt and MBS issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in order to support the conservatorship. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to operate as going concerns while in conservatorship and each remains liable for all of its respective obligations, including its guaranty obligations, associated with its MBS. No assurance can be given that these initiatives will be successful. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Portfolio may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future.

Ginnie Mae Certificates. Ginnie Mae is a wholly-owned corporate instrumentality of the United States within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The National Housing Act of 1934, as amended (the "Housing Act"), authorizes Ginnie Mae to guarantee the timely payment of the principal and interest on certificates that are based on and backed by a pool of FHA Loans, VA Loans or by pools of other eligible mortgage loans. The Housing Act provides that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged to the payment of all amounts that may be required to be paid under any guaranty. In order to meet its obligations under such guaranty, Ginnie Mae is authorized to borrow from the U.S. Treasury with no limitations as to amount.

Each Ginnie Mae certificate represents a pro rata interest in one or more of the following types of mortgage loans: (i) fixed rate level payment mortgage loans; (ii) fixed rate graduated payment mortgage loans; (iii) fixed rate growing equity mortgage loans; (iv) fixed rate mortgage loans secured by manufactured (mobile) homes; (v) mortgage loans on multi-family residential properties under construction; (vi) mortgage loans on completed multi-family projects; (vii) fixed rate mortgage loans as to which escrowed funds are used to reduce the borrower's monthly payments during the early years of the mortgage loans ("buydown" mortgage loans); (viii) mortgage loans that provide for adjustments in payments based on periodic changes in interest rates or in other payment terms of the mortgage loans; and (ix) mortgage-backed serial notes. All of these mortgage loans will be FHA Loans or VA loans and, except as otherwise specified above, will be fully-amortizing loans secured by first liens on one to four-family housing units.

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations. The Portfolio may invest in collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), which are MBS that are collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities, and multi-class pass-through securities, which are equity interests in a trust composed of mortgage loans or other MBS. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the discussion of CMOs below also applies to multi-class pass through securities.

CMOs may be issued by governmental or government-related entities or by private entities, such as banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market traders. CMOs are issued in multiple classes, often referred to as "tranches," with each tranche having a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and stated maturity or final distribution date. Under the traditional CMO structure, the cash flows generated by the mortgages or mortgage pass-through securities in the collateral pool are used to first pay interest and then pay principal to the holders of the CMOs. Subject to the various provisions of individual CMO issues, the cash flow generated by the underlying collateral (to the extent it exceeds the amount required to pay the stated interest) is used to retire the bonds.


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The principal and interest on the underlying collateral may be allocated among the several tranches of a CMO in innumerable ways. In a common CMO structure, the tranches are retired sequentially in the order of their respective stated maturities or final distribution dates (as opposed to the pro-rata return of principal found in traditional pass-through obligations). The fastest-pay tranches would initially receive all principal payments. When those tranches are retired, the next tranches in the sequence receive all of the principal payments until they are retired. The sequential retirement of bond groups continues until the last tranche is retired. Accordingly, the CMO structure allows the issuer to use cash flows of long maturity, monthly-pay collateral to formulate securities with short, intermediate, and long final maturities and expected average lives and risk characteristics.

The primary risk of CMOs is the uncertainty of the timing of cash flows that results from the rate of prepayments on the underlying mortgages serving as collateral and from the structure of the particular CMO transaction (that is, the priority of the individual tranches). An increase or decrease in prepayment rates (resulting from a decrease or increase in mortgage interest rates) may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates and will affect the yield and price of CMOs. In addition, if the collateral securing CMOs or any third-party guarantees are insufficient to make payments, the Portfolio could sustain a loss. The prices of certain CMOs, depending on their structure and the rate of prepayments, can be volatile. Some CMOs may also not be as liquid as other types of mortgage securities. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible to sell the securities at an advantageous time or price.

Privately issued CMOs are arrangements in which the underlying mortgages are held by the issuer, which then issues debt collateralized by the underlying mortgage assets. Such securities may be backed by mortgage insurance, letters of credit, or other credit enhancing features. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies and instrumentalities, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities or any other person or entity. Privately issued CMOs are subject to prepayment risk due to the possibility that prepayments on the underlying assets will alter the cash flow. Yields on privately issued CMOs have been historically higher than the yields on CMOs backed by mortgages guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities. The risk of loss due to default on privately issued CMOs, however, is historically higher since the U.S. Government has not guaranteed them.

New types of CMO tranches have evolved. These include floating rate CMOs, inverse floating rate CMOs, planned amortization classes, accrual bonds and CMO residuals. These newer structures affect the amount and timing of principal and interest received by each tranche from the underlying collateral. Under certain of these newer structures, given classes of CMOs have priority over others with respect to the receipt of prepayments on the mortgages. Therefore, depending on the type of CMOs in which the Portfolio invests, the investment may be subject to a greater or lesser risk of prepayment than other types of MBS.

CMOs may include real estate investment conduits ("REMICs"). REMICs, which were authorized under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, are private entities formed for the purpose of holding a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code and invests in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in real property.

The Portfolio may invest in, among others, parallel pay CMOs and Planned Amortization Class CMOs ("PAC Bonds"). Parallel pay CMOs are structured to provide payments of principal on each payment date to more than one tranche. These simultaneous payments are taken into account in calculating the stated maturity date or final distribution date of each tranche which, as with other CMO structures, must be retired by its stated maturity date or final distribution date but may be retired earlier. PAC Bonds are a form of parallel pay CMO, with the required principal payment on such securities having the highest priority after interest has been paid to all classes. PAC Bonds generally require payments of a specified amount of principal on each payment date.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities. The Portfolio may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities ("SMBS"). An SMBS is a derivative multi-class mortgage security. SMBS usually are structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distribution on a pool of mortgage assets. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the interest-only or "IO" class), while the other class will receive all of the principal (the principal-only or "PO" class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on such security's yield to maturity. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Portfolio may fail to


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fully recoup its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, if the underlying mortgage assets experience less than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield of POs could be materially adversely affected. The market values of IOs and POs are subject to greater risk of fluctuation in response to changes in market rates of interest than many other types of government securities. To the extent the Portfolio invests in IOs and POs, it may increase the risk of fluctuations in the NAV of the Portfolio.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities ("CMBS"). CMBS are generally multi-class or pass-through securities issued by special purpose entities that represent an undivided interest in a portfolio of mortgage loans backed by commercial properties, including, but not limited to, industrial and warehouse properties, office buildings, retail space and shopping malls, hotels, healthcare facilities, multifamily properties and cooperative apartments. Private lenders, such as banks or insurance companies, originate these loans and then sell the loans directly into a CMBS trust or other entity. The commercial mortgage loans that underlie CMBS are generally not amortizing or not fully amortizing. That is, at their maturity date, repayment of the remaining principal balance or "balloon" is due and is repaid through the attainment of an additional loan or sale of this property. An extension of the final payment on commercial mortgages will increase the average life of the CMBS, generally resulting in a lower yield for discount bonds and a higher yield for premium bonds.

CMBS are subject to credit risk and prepayment risk. Although prepayment risk is present, it is of a lesser degree in the CMBS than in the residential mortgage market; commercial real estate property loans often contain provisions which substantially reduce the likelihood that such securities will be prepaid (e.g., significant prepayment penalties on loans and, in some cases, prohibition on principal payments for several years following origination).

Non-Publicly Traded Securities, Private Placements and Restricted Securities: The Portfolio may invest in securities that are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded OTC, including privately placed and restricted securities. Such unlisted securities may involve a higher degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions, the prices realized from these sales could be less than those originally paid by the Portfolio or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. Furthermore, companies whose securities are not publicly traded may not be subject to the disclosure and other investor protection requirements which might be applicable if their securities were publicly traded. The illiquidity of the market, as well as the lack of publicly available information regarding these securities, may also adversely affect the ability of the Portfolio to arrive at a fair value for certain securities at certain times and could make it difficult for the Portfolio to sell certain securities. If such securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being sold, the Portfolio may be required to bear the expenses of registration.

As a general matter, the Portfolio may not invest more than 15% of its net assets determined at the time of investment, in illiquid securities, such as securities for which there is not a readily available secondary market or securities that are restricted from sale to the public without registration. However, certain Restricted Securities can be offered and sold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") ("Rule 144A Securities"), and may be deemed to be liquid under guidelines adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Portfolio may invest without limit in liquid Rule 144A Securities. Rule 144A Securities may become illiquid if qualified institutional buyers are not interested in acquiring the securities.

Options: An option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call option) or sell to (in the case of a put option) the seller of the option (the "option writer") the underlying security at a specified fixed price (the "exercise price") on or prior to a specified date for American options or only at expiration for European options (the "expiration date"). The buyer of the option pays to the option writer the option premium, which is the purchase price of the option.

Exchange-traded options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation ("OCC"), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to counterparties through direct bilateral agreement between the Portfolio and its counterparties. Certain options, such as options on individual securities, are settled through physical delivery of the underlying security, whereas other options, such as index options, may be settled in cash in an amount based on the difference between the value of the underlying instrument and the strike price, which is then multiplied by a specified multiplier.


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Writing Options. The Portfolio may write call and put options. As the writer of a call option, the Portfolio receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price. If the option expires without being exercised the Portfolio is not required to deliver the underlying security but retains the premium received.

Selling call options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to sell the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, below the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a covered call option, the Portfolio forgoes, during the option's life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security covering the option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.

The Portfolio may write put options. As the writer of a put option, the Portfolio receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to pay the exercise price and receive delivery of the underlying security. If the option expires without being exercised, the Portfolio is not required to receive the underlying security in exchange for the exercise price and retains the option premium.

Selling put options involves the risk that the Portfolio may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, above the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. While the Portfolio's potential gain in writing a covered put option is limited to the premium received plus the interest earned on the liquid assets covering the put option, the Portfolio's risks of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security, offset only by the amount of the premium received.

The Portfolio may close out an options position which it has written through a closing purchase transaction. The Portfolio could execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a written call option by purchasing a call option on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the call option written by the Portfolio. The Portfolio could execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a put option written by purchasing a put option on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the put option written by the Portfolio. A closing purchase transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Portfolio. The Portfolio can close out its position as an option writer only if a liquid market exists for options on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the option written by the Portfolio. There is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option.

The writer of an American option generally has no control over the time when the option is exercised and the option writer is required to deliver or acquire the underlying security. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option. Thus, the use of options may require the Portfolio to buy or sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than the current market values of such securities, may limit the amount of appreciation the Portfolio can realize on an investment, or may cause the Portfolio to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.

Purchasing Options. The Portfolio may purchase call and put options. As the buyer of a call option, the Portfolio pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to purchase the underlying security from the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security rises above the exercise price, the Portfolio could exercise the option and acquire the underlying security at a below-market price, which could result in a gain to the Portfolio, minus the premium paid. As the buyer of a put option, the Portfolio pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to sell the underlying security to the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security declines below the exercise price, the Portfolio could exercise the option and sell the underlying security at an above-market price, which could result in a gain to the Portfolio, minus the premium paid. The Portfolio may buy call and put options whether or not it holds the underlying securities.

As a buyer of a call or put option, the Portfolio may sell put or call options that it has purchased at any time prior to such option's expiration date through a closing sale transaction. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security, the underlying security's dividend policy, and the time remaining until the expiration date. A closing sale transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Portfolio. The Portfolio's ability to initiate a closing sale transaction is dependent upon the liquidity of the options market and there is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option. If the Portfolio does not exercise or sell an option prior to its expiration date, the option expires and becomes worthless.


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OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options generally are established through negotiation between the parties to the options contract. This type of arrangement allows the purchaser and writer greater flexibility to tailor the option to their needs. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities or baskets of securities, and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices than exchange-traded options. However, unlike exchange-traded options, which are issued and guaranteed by a regulated intermediary, such as the OCC, OTC options are entered into directly with the counterparty. Unless the counterparties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function for an OTC option. Therefore, OTC options are subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the option will be satisfied. There can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time. As a result, the Portfolio may be unable to enter into closing sale transactions with respect to OTC options.

Index Options. Call and put options on indices operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash determined by reference to the difference between the value of the underlying index and the strike price. The underlying index may be a broad-based index or a narrower market index. Unlike many options on securities, all settlements are in cash. The settlement amount, which the writer of a index option must pay to the holder of the option upon exercise, is generally equal to the difference between the strike price of the option and the value of the underlying index, multiplied by a specified multiplier. The multiplier determines the size of the investment position the option represents. Gain or loss to the Portfolio on index options transactions will depend, in part, on price movements in the underlying index generally or in a particular segment of the index rather than price movements of individual components of the index. As with other options, the Portfolio may close out its position in index options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid secondary market exists for such options.

Index options written by the Portfolio will generally be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or segregating or earmarking cash or liquid assets. The Portfolio may cover call options written on an index by owning securities whose price changes, in the opinion of the Adviser, are expected to correlate to those of the underlying index.

Foreign Currency Options. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on foreign currencies give the holder the right to buy or sell foreign currency for a fixed amount in U.S. dollars or other base currencies. Options on foreign currencies are traded primarily in the OTC market, but may also be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges. The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the underlying foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other base currency. The price of the option may vary with changes in, among other things, the value of either or both currencies and has no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence foreign exchange rates and foreign investment generally. As with other options, the Portfolio may close out its position in foreign currency options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid market exists for such options.

Foreign currency options written by the Portfolio will generally be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or segregating or earmarking cash or liquid assets.

Options on Futures Contracts. Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that options on futures contracts give the purchasers the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position in the case of a call option and a short position in the case of a put option) at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the parties will be subject to all of the risks associated with futures transactions and subject to margin requirements. As the writer of options on futures contracts, the Portfolio would also be subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position.

Options on futures contracts written by the Portfolio will generally be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or segregating or earmarking cash or liquid assets. The Portfolio may cover an option on a futures contract by purchasing or selling the underlying futures contract. In such instances the exercise of the option will serve to close out the Portfolio's futures position.


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Additional Risks of Options Transactions. The risks associated with options transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Options are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of options requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the option itself. Options may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

•  The exercise of options written or purchased by the Portfolio could cause the Portfolio to sell portfolio securities, thus increasing the Portfolio's portfolio turnover.

•  The Portfolio pays brokerage commissions each time it writes or purchases an option or buys or sells an underlying security in connection with the exercise of an option. Such brokerage commissions could be higher relative to the commissions for direct purchases of sales of the underlying securities.

•  The Portfolio's options transactions may be limited by limitations on options positions established by the SEC, the CFTC or the exchanges on which such options are traded.

•  The hours of trading for exchange-listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities that cannot be reflected in the options markets.

•  Index options based upon a narrow index of securities or other assets may present greater risks than options based on broad market indices, as narrower indices are more susceptible to rapid and extreme fluctuations as a result of changes in the values of a smaller number of securities or other assets.

•  The Portfolio is subject to the risk of market movements between the time that an option is exercised and the time of performance thereunder, which could increase the extent of any losses suffered by the Portfolio in connection with options transactions.

Combined Transactions. Combined transactions involve entering into multiple derivatives transactions (such as multiple options transactions, including purchasing and writing options in combination with each other; multiple futures transactions; and combinations of options, futures, forward and swap transactions) instead of a single derivatives transaction in order to customize the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. Combined transactions typically contain elements of risk that are present in each of the component transactions. The Portfolio may enter into a combined transaction instead of a single derivatives transaction when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interest of the Portfolio to do so. Because combined transactions involve multiple transactions, they may result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to close out.

Preferred Stock: Preferred stocks are non-voting ownership shares in a corporation which pay a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred stocks have a preference over common stocks in the event of the liquidation of an issuer. Preferred stocks have many of the characteristics of both equity securities and fixed income securities.

Private Investments in Public Equity: The Portfolio may purchase equity securities in a private placement that are issued by issuers who have outstanding, publicly-traded equity securities of the same class ("private investments in public equity" or "PIPES"). Shares in PIPES generally are not registered with the SEC until after a certain time period from the date the private sale is completed. This restricted period can last many months. Until the public registration process is completed, PIPES are restricted as to resale and the Portfolio cannot freely trade the securities. Generally, such restrictions cause the PIPES to be illiquid during this time. PIPES may contain provisions that the issuer will pay specified financial penalties to the holder if the issuer does not publicly register the restricted equity securities within a specified period of time, but there is no assurance that the restricted equity securities will be publicly registered, or that the registration will remain in effect.

Public Bank Loans: The Portfolio may invest in public loans made by banks or other financial institutions, which may be rated investment grade (Baa or higher by Moody's, BBB or higher by S&P) or below investment grade (below Baa by Moody's or below BBB by S&P). Public bank loans are privately negotiated loans for which information about the issuer has been made publicly available. However, public bank loans are not registered under the 1933 Act, and are not publicly traded. They usually are second lien loans normally lower in priority of payment to senior loans, but have seniority in a company's capital structure to other claims, such as subordinated corporate bonds or publicly-issued equity so that in the event of bankruptcy or liquidation, the company is required to pay


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down these second lien loans prior to such other lower-ranked claims on their assets. Bank loans normally pay floating rates that reset frequently, and as a result, protect investors from increases in interest rates.

Bank loans generally are negotiated between a borrower and several financial institutional lenders represented by one or more lenders acting as agent of all the lenders. The agent is responsible for negotiating the loan agreement that establishes the terms and conditions of the loan and the rights of the borrower and the lenders, monitoring any collateral, and collecting principal and interest on the loan. By investing in a loan, the Portfolio becomes a member of a syndicate of lenders. Certain bank loans are illiquid, meaning the Portfolio may not be able to sell them quickly at a fair price. Illiquid securities are also difficult to value. To the extent a bank loan has been deemed illiquid, it will be subject to the Portfolio's restrictions on investment in illiquid securities. The secondary market for bank loans may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods.

Bank loans are subject to the risk of default. Default in the payment of interest or principal on a loan will result in a reduction of income to the Portfolio, a reduction in the value of the loan, and a potential decrease in the Portfolio's NAV. The risk of default will increase in the event of an economic downturn or a substantial increase in interest rates. Bank loans are subject to the risk that the cash flow of the borrower and property securing the loan or debt, if any, may be insufficient to meet scheduled payments. As discussed above, however, because bank loans reside higher in the capital structure than high yield bonds, default losses have been historically lower in the bank loan market. Bank loans that are rated below investment grade share the same risks of other below investment grade securities.

Real Estate Investing: Investments in securities of issuers engaged in the real estate industry entail special risks and considerations. In particular, securities of such issuers may be subject to risks associated with the direct ownership of real estate. These risks include the cyclical nature of real estate values, risks related to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, demographic trends and variations in rental income, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, environmental risks, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhood values, changes in the appeal of properties to tenants, increases in interest rates and other real estate capital market influences. Generally, increases in interest rates will increase the costs of obtaining financing, which could directly and indirectly decrease the value of the Portfolio's investments.

Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs") and Foreign Real Estate Companies. The Portfolio may invest in REITs and/or foreign real estate companies, which are similar to entities organized and operated as REITs in the United States. REITs and foreign real estate companies pool investors' funds for investment primarily in real estate properties or real estate-related loans. REITs and foreign real estate companies generally derive their income from rents on the underlying properties or interest on the underlying loans, and their value is impacted by changes in the value of the underlying property or changes in interest rates affecting the underlying loans owned by the REITs and/or foreign real estate companies. REITs and foreign real estate companies are more susceptible to risks associated with the ownership of real estate and the real estate industry in general. These risks can include fluctuations in the value of underlying properties; defaults by borrowers or tenants; market saturation; changes in general and local economic conditions; decreases in market rates for rents; increases in competition, property taxes, capital expenditures or operating expenses; and other economic, political or regulatory occurrences affecting the real estate industry. In addition, REITs and foreign real estate companies depend upon specialized management skills, may not be diversified (which may increase the volatility of a REIT's and/or foreign real estate company's value), may have less trading volume and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities market. Foreign real estate companies may be subject to laws, rules and regulations governing those entities and their failure to comply with those laws, rules and regulations could negatively impact the performance of those entities. Operating REITs and foreign real estate companies requires specialized management skills and the Portfolio indirectly bears REIT and foreign real estate company management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Portfolio. REITs are generally not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Code. REITs are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through income under the Code.

Repurchase Agreements: The Portfolio may invest in repurchase agreements. When cash may be available for only a few days, it may be invested by the Portfolio in repurchase agreements until such time as it may otherwise be invested or used for payments of obligations of the Portfolio. These agreements typically involve the acquisition by the Portfolio of debt securities from a selling financial institution such as a bank, savings and loan association or broker-dealer. The agreement provides that the Portfolio will sell back to the institution, and that the


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institution will repurchase, the underlying securities serving as collateral at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, usually not more than seven days from the date of purchase. The collateral will be marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral, as specified in the agreement, does not decrease below the purchase price plus accrued interest. If such decrease occurs, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, added to the account to maintain full collateralization. The Portfolio will accrue interest from the institution until the time when the repurchase is to occur. Although this date is deemed by the Portfolio to be the maturity date of a repurchase agreement, the maturities of securities subject to repurchase agreements are not subject to any limits.

While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt securities, the Portfolio follows procedures approved by the Trustees that are designed to minimize such risks. These procedures include effecting repurchase transactions only with large, well-capitalized and well-established financial institutions whose financial condition will be continually monitored by the Adviser. In addition, as described above, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy by a selling financial institution, the Portfolio will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the Portfolio's right to liquidate such collateral could involve certain costs or delays and, to the extent that proceeds from any sale upon a default of the obligation to repurchase were less than the repurchase price, the Portfolio could suffer a loss.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements: Under a Reverse Repurchase Agreement, the Portfolio sells a security and promises to repurchase that security at an agreed upon future date and price. The price paid to repurchase the security reflects interest accrued during the term of the agreement. The Portfolio will establish a separate custodial account holding cash and other liquid assets in an amount not less than the purchase obligations of the agreement. Reverse Repurchase Agreements may be viewed as a speculative form of borrowing called leveraging. The Portfolio may invest in reverse repurchase agreements if (i) interest earned from leveraging exceeds the interest expense of the original reverse repurchase transaction and (ii) proceeds from the transaction are not invested for longer than the term of the Reverse Repurchase Agreement. All forms of borrowing (including reverse repurchase agreements) are limited in the aggregate and may not exceed 331/3% of a Portfolio's total assets, except as permitted by law. See "Leverage Risks," above, for a description of leverage risk.

Rights: Rights are equity securities representing a preemptive right of stockholders to purchase additional shares of a stock at the time of a new issuance, before the stock is offered to the general public. A stockholder who purchases rights may be able to retain the same ownership percentage after the new stock offering. A right usually enables the stockholder to purchase common stock at a price below the initial offering price. The Portfolio that purchases a right takes the risk that the right might expire worthless because the market value of the common stock falls below the price fixed by the right.

Securities Lending: The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, banks and other institutional investors. By lending its portfolio securities, the Portfolio attempts to increase its net investment income through the receipt of interest on the cash collateral with respect to the loan or fees received from the borrower in connection with the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Portfolio. The Fund employs an agent to implement the securities lending program and the agent receives a portion of the fee paid by the Borrower to the Fund for its services.

The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities so long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the SEC thereunder, which currently require that (a) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Portfolio collateral consisting of liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at all times not less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned; (ii) the borrower add to such collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e., the borrower "marks to market" on a daily basis); (iii) the loan be made subject to termination by the Portfolio at any time; and (iv) the Portfolio receives a reasonable return on the loan (which may include the Portfolio investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term investments), any distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in their market value. In addition, voting rights may pass with the loaned securities, but the Portfolio will retain the right to call any security in anticipation of a vote that the Adviser deems material to the security on loan.

There may be risks of delay and costs involved in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. However, loans will be made only to borrowers deemed by the Adviser to be creditworthy and when, in the


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judgment of the Adviser, the income which can be earned from such securities loans justifies the attendant risk. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the broker, dealer, bank or institution, will be considered in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to review by the Fund's Board. The Portfolio also bears the risk that the reinvestment of collateral will result in a principal loss. Finally, there is the risk that the price of the securities will increase while they are on loan and the collateral will not be adequate to cover their value.

Short Selling: A short sale is a transaction in which the Portfolio sells securities that it does not own, but has borrowed, in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the securities. To deliver the securities to the buyer, the Portfolio arranges through a broker to borrow the securities and, in so doing, the Portfolio becomes obligated to replace the securities borrowed at their market price at the time of replacement. When selling short, the Portfolio intends to replace the securities at a lower price and therefore, profit from the difference between the cost to replace the securities and the proceeds received from the sale of the securities. When the Portfolio makes a short sale, the proceeds it receives from the sale will be held on behalf of a broker until the Portfolio replaces the borrowed securities. The Portfolio may have to pay a premium to borrow the securities and must pay any dividends or interest payable on the securities until they are replaced.

The Portfolio secures its obligation to replace the borrowed securities by depositing collateral with the broker, consisting of cash or other liquid securities. The Portfolio also must place in a segregated account with its custodian cash or other liquid securities equal in value to the difference, if any, between (i) the current market value of the securities sold short and (ii) any cash or other liquid securities deposited as collateral with the broker in connection with the short sale. This amount will be adjusted daily to reflect changes in the value of the securities sold short. The Portfolio also can cover its obligations by owning another security (such as a call option) giving it the right to obtain the same kind and amount of the security it sold short.

Short sales by the Portfolio involve certain risks and special considerations. If the Adviser incorrectly predicts that the price of a borrowed security will decline, the Portfolio will have to replace the securities by purchasing them at a higher price than it received from the sale. Therefore, losses from short sales may be unlimited. By contrast, when the Portfolio purchases a security and holds it, the Portfolio cannot lose more than the amount it paid for the security.

Structured Investments: The Portfolio also may invest a portion of its assets in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market, for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the change in value of such underlying security, currency, commodity or market, including, among others, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate or LIBOR), referenced bonds and stock indices or other financial references. Structured investments may come in various forms, including notes, warrants and options to purchase securities, and may be listed and traded on an exchange or otherwise traded in the OTC market.

The Portfolio will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to such security, currency, commodity or market is limited or inefficient from a tax, cost or regulatory standpoint. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the holders are relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and have no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Portfolio's illiquidity to the extent that the Portfolio, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these investments.

A structured investment may be linked either positively or negatively to an underlying security, currency, commodity, index or market and a change in interest rates, principal amount, volatility, currency values or other factors, depending on the structured investment's design, may result in a gain or loss that is a multiple of the movement of such interest rates, principal amount, volatility, currency values or other factors. Application of a multiplier is comparable to the use of financial leverage, a speculative technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the referenced factor could result in a relatively large loss in the value of a structured investment.

Other types of structured investments include interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of underlying investment interests or securities. This type of


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securitization or restructuring usually involves the deposit or purchase of an underlying security by a U.S. or foreign entity, such as a corporation or trust of specified instruments, and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing an interest in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow or rate of return on the underlying investments may be apportioned among the newly issued securities to create different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, credit quality, payment priorities and interest rate provisions. Structured investments which are subordinated, for example, in payment priority often offer higher returns, but may result in increased risks compared to other investments.

Swaps: An OTC swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Most swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Portfolio's obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. Many swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the swap will be satisfied.

Swap agreements allow for a wide variety of transactions. For example, fixed rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments, U.S. dollar denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in foreign currencies, and payments tied to the price of one security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument may be exchanged for payments tied to the price of a different security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument. Swap contracts are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of particular types of investments or market factors. Swap contracts can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. To the extent consistent with the Portfolio's investment objective and policies, the Portfolio is not limited to any particular form or variety of swap contract. The Portfolio may utilize swaps to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying instrument, reference rate, foreign currency, market index or other asset. The Portfolio may also enter into related derivative instruments including caps, floors and collars.

The Portfolio may be required to cover swap transactions. Obligations under swap agreements entered into on a net basis are generally accrued daily and any accrued but unpaid amounts owed by the Portfolio to the swap counterparty will be covered by earmarking cash or segregating liquid assets. If the Portfolio enters into a swap agreement on other than a net basis, the Portfolio will earmark cash or segregate liquid assets with a value equal to the full notional amount of the Portfolio's accrued obligations under the agreement.

The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments require the eventual clearing and exchange-trading of many standardized OTC derivative instruments that the CFTC and SEC recently defined as "swaps" and "security based swaps," respectively. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis based on the type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing and exchange trading. In a cleared swap, the Portfolio's ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. The Portfolio initially will enter into cleared swaps through an executing broker. Such transactions will then be submitted for clearing and, if cleared, will be held at regulated futures commission merchants ("FCMs") that are members of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty. When the Portfolio enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the central counterparty (via an FCM) an amount referred to as "initial margin." Initial margin requirements are determined by the central counterparty, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the central counterparty. During the term of the swap agreement, a "variation margin" amount may also be required to be paid by the Portfolio or may be received by the Portfolio in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the price of the underlying reference asset subject to the swap agreement. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if the Portfolio has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss that is greater than such margin amount. If the Portfolio has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Portfolio. If the Portfolio has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain is paid to the Portfolio.

Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant's swap, but it does not


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eliminate those risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by the Portfolio of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Portfolio has an open position in a swap contract. The assets of the Portfolio may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Portfolio might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM's or central counterparty's customers or clearing members. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Portfolio's assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM's other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Certain swaps have begun trading on exchanges called swap execution facilities. Exchange-trading is expected to increase liquidity of swaps trading.

In addition, with respect to cleared swaps, the Portfolio may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for an uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally impose position limits or additional margin requirements for certain types of swaps in which the Portfolio may invest. Central counterparties and FCMs generally can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions at any time, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement. Margin requirements for cleared swaps vary on a number of factors, and the margin required under the rules of the clearinghouse and FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Portfolio to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. However, regulators are expected to adopt rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps in the near future, which could change this comparison.

The Portfolio is also subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap with an executing broker, no FCM or central counterparty is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, the central counterparty would void the trade. Before the Portfolio can enter into a new trade, market conditions may become less favorable to the Portfolio.

The Adviser will continue to monitor developments regarding trading and execution of cleared swaps on exchanges, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Portfolio's ability to enter into swap agreements and the costs and risks associated with such investments.

Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps consist of an agreement between two parties to exchange their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments). Interest rate swaps are generally entered into on a net basis. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets, or principal. Accordingly, the risk of market loss with respect to interest rate and total rate of return swaps is typically limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Portfolio is contractually obligated to make.

The Portfolio may also buy or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified interest rate index exceeds a predetermined level, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below a predetermined level, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates. Caps, floors and collars may be less liquid than other types of derivatives. If the Portfolio sells caps, floors and collars, it will earmark cash or segregate liquid assets with a value equal to the full amount, accrued daily, of the Portfolio's net obligations with respect to the caps, floors or collars.

Index Swaps. An index swap consists of an agreement between two parties in which a party typically exchanges a cash flow based on a notional amount of a reference index for a cash flow based on a different index or on another specified instrument or reference rate. Index swaps are generally entered into on a net basis.

Inflation Swaps. Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party typically agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index, such as the Consumer Price Index, over the term of the swap (with some lag on the referenced inflation index), and the other party pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used to protect the NAV of the Portfolio against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index. The value of inflation swap agreements is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation.


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Currency Swaps. A currency swap consists of an agreement between two parties to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them, such as exchanging a right to receive a payment in a foreign currency for the right to receive U.S. dollars. Currency swap agreements may be entered into on a net basis or may involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the entire principal value of another designated currency. In such cases, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations.

Credit Default Swaps. A credit default swap consists of an agreement between two parties in which the "buyer" typically agrees to pay to the "seller" a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and the seller agrees to pay the buyer the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation upon the occurrence of a credit event with respect to the issuer of that referenced debt obligation. Generally, a credit event means bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration or modified restructuring. The Portfolio may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap. Where the Portfolio is the buyer of a credit default swap contract, it would typically be entitled to receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation from the counterparty to the contract only in the event of a default or similar event by the issuer of the debt obligation. If no default occurs, the Portfolio would have paid to the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and received no benefit from the contract. The Portfolio will generally earmark cash or segregate liquid assets to cover any potential obligation under a credit default swap sold by the Portfolio. The use of credit default swaps could result in losses to the Portfolio if the Adviser fails to correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation.

Swaptions. An option on a swap agreement, also called a "swaption," is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for a premium. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.

General Risks of Swaps. The risks associated with swap transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of swaps requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the swap contract itself. Swap transactions may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described above, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:

•  OTC swap agreements are not traded on exchanges and may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell.

•  In addition to the risk of default by the counterparty, if the creditworthiness of a counterparty to a swap agreement declines, the value of the swap agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses.

•  The swaps market is subject to extensive regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act and certain CFTC and SEC rules promulgated thereunder. It is possible that further developments in the swaps market, including new and additional governmental regulation, could result in higher Portfolio costs and expenses and could adversely affect the Portfolio's ability to utilize swaps, terminate existing swap agreements or realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

U.S. Government Securities: "U.S. government securities" refers to a variety of fixed income securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and various instrumentalities and agencies. The U.S. government securities that the Portfolio may purchase include U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are direct obligations of the U.S. Government. In addition, the Portfolio may purchase securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing these obligations are Ginnie Mae and the Federal Housing Administration.

The Portfolio may also purchase securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from the U.S. Treasury. Among these agencies and instrumentalities are Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Further, the Portfolio may purchase securities issued by agencies


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and instrumentalities which are backed solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among these agencies and instrumentalities is the Federal Farm Credit System.

Warrants: Warrants are equity securities in the form of options issued by a corporation which give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to purchase stock, usually at a price that is higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. A purchaser takes the risk that the warrant may expire worthless because the market price of the common stock fails to rise above the price set by the warrant.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments: The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. When these transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the date of commitment. The Portfolio may sell the securities before the settlement date, if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or sold are subject to market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date.

At the time the Portfolio makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security purchased, or if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its NAV. At the time of delivery of the securities, their value may be more or less than the purchase or sale price. An increase in the percentage of the Portfolio's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its NAV. The Portfolio will also earmark cash or segregate liquid assets or establish a segregated account on the Portfolio's books in which it will continually maintain cash or cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value to commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis. See "Leverage Risks" above for a description of leverage risk.

When, As and If Issued Securities: The Portfolio may purchase securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis under which the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Portfolio until the Adviser determines that issuance of the security is probable. At that time, the Portfolio will record the transaction and, in determining its NAV, will reflect the value of the security daily. At that time, the Portfolio will also establish a segregated account on its books in which it will maintain cash, cash equivalents or other liquid portfolio securities equal in value to recognized commitments for such securities.

An increase in the percentage of the Portfolio's assets committed to the purchase of securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis may increase the volatility of its NAV. The Portfolio may also sell securities on a "when, as and if issued" basis provided that the issuance of the security will result automatically from the exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Portfolio at the time of sale.

Yankee and Eurobond Obligations: The Portfolio may invest in Eurobond and Yankee obligations, which are fixed income securities. The Eurobonds that the Portfolio will purchase may include bonds issued and denominated in euros. Eurobonds may be issued by government and corporate issuers in Europe. Yankee bank obligations are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital markets by foreign banks.

Eurobond and Yankee obligations are subject to the same risks that pertain to domestic issues, notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk. However, Eurobond (and to a limited extent, Yankee) obligations also are subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments; the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign withholding taxes, and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers.

Zero Coupons: The Portfolio may invest in zero coupon bonds ("Zero Coupons"), which are fixed income securities that do not make regular interest payments. Instead, Zero Coupons are sold at substantial discounts from their face value. The difference between a Zero Coupon's issue or purchase price and its face value represents the imputed interest an investor will earn if the obligation is held until maturity. For tax purposes, a portion of this imputed interest is deemed as income received by zero coupon bondholders each year. The Portfolio intends to pass along such interest as a component of the Portfolio's distributions of net investment income.


33



Zero Coupons may offer investors the opportunity to earn higher yields than those available on ordinary interest-paying obligations of similar credit quality and maturity. However, Zero Coupon prices may also exhibit greater price volatility than ordinary fixed income securities because of the manner in which their principal and interest are returned to the investor.

Special Risks Related to Cyber Security. The Fund and its service providers are susceptible to cyber security risks that include, among other things, theft, unauthorized monitoring, release, misuse, loss, destruction or corruption of confidential and highly restricted data; denial of service attacks; unauthorized access to relevant systems, compromises to networks or devices that the Fund and its service providers use to service the Fund's operations; or operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. Cyber attacks against or security breakdowns of the Fund or its service providers may adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders, potentially resulting in, among other things, financial losses; the inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate the Fund's NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. The Fund may incur additional costs for cyber security risk management and remediation purposes. In addition, cyber security risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which may cause the Fund's investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that the Fund or its service providers will not suffer losses relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches in the future.

INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS

Fundamental Limitations. The Portfolio is subject to the following restrictions which are fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of the lesser of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of the Portfolio present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio.

As a matter of fundamental policy, the Portfolio will not change its objective and will not:

(1)  purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Portfolio from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Portfolio from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;

(2)  purchase or sell real estate, although it may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real estate, other than real estate limited partnerships, and may purchase and sell marketable securities which are secured by interests in real estate;

(3)  make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent that securities or interests in which the Portfolio may invest are considered to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities, (c) by engaging in repurchase agreements or (d) as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;

(4)  invest in a manner inconsistent with its classification as a "diversified company" as a provided by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Portfolio from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;

(5)  borrow money, except the Portfolio may borrow money to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Company from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time;


34



(6)  underwrite the securities of other issuers (except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in connection with the disposition of restricted securities);

(7)  acquire any securities of companies within one industry, if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry; provided, however that (i) there shall be no limitation on the purchase of obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) utility companies will be divided according to their services, for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry; (iii) financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of their services, for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (iv) asset-backed securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such securities; and

(8)  issue senior securities, except the Portfolio may issue senior securities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Portfolio from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.

Non-Fundamental Limitations. The Portfolio is also subject to the following restrictions which may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval.

As a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Portfolio will not:

(1)  purchase on margin, except for use of short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities, provided that the Portfolio may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, futures, and options on futures;

(2)  sell short unless the Portfolio (i) by virtue of its ownership of other securities, has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold and, if the right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions, or (ii) maintains in a segregated account on the books of the Fund's custodian an amount that, when combined with the amount of collateral deposited with the broker in connection with the short sale, equals the current market value of the security sold short or such other amount as the SEC or its staff may permit by rule, regulation, order or interpretation (transactions in futures contracts and options, however, are not deemed to constitute selling securities short);

(3)  pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets in an amount greater than 50% of its total assets, provided that the Portfolio may earmark or segregate assets without limit in order to comply with the requirements of Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act and applicable rules, regulations or interpretations of the SEC and its staff;

(4)  invest more than an aggregate of 15% of the net assets of the Portfolio determined at the time of investment, in illiquid securities provided that this limitation shall not apply to any investment in securities that are not registered under the 1933 Act but that can be sold to qualified institutional investors in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act and are determined to be liquid securities under guidelines or procedures adopted by the Board;

(5)  invest for the purpose of exercising control over management of any company; and

(6)  invest its assets in securities of any investment company, except as permitted by the 1940 Act or the rules, regulations, interpretations or orders of the SEC and its staff thereunder; provided that the Portfolio will not invest in other investment companies in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F), 12(d)(1)(G) or 12(d)(1)(J) of the 1940 Act.

The percentage limitations contained in these fundamental and non-fundamental limitations apply at the time of purchase of securities. A later change in percentage resulting from changes in the value of the Portfolio's assets or in total or net assets of the Portfolio will not be considered a violation of the restriction and the sale of securities will not be required. The foregoing does not apply to borrowings. Future portfolios of the Fund may adopt different limitations.

Pursuant to an order from the SEC, the Portfolio may enter into interfund lending arrangements. Interfund loans and borrowings permit the Portfolio to lend money directly to and borrow from other portfolios of the Fund


35



for temporary purposes. Such loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but may have a maximum duration of seven days. The Portfolio will borrow through the interfund lending facility only when the costs are lower than the costs of bank loans, and will lend through the facility only when the returns are higher than those available from an investment in repurchase agreements. In addition, the Portfolio will borrow and lend money through interfund lending arrangements only if, and to the extent that, such practice is consistent with the Portfolio's investment objective and other investments. Any delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.

The investment policies, limitations or practices of the Portfolio may not apply during periods of unusual or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such market, economic, political or other conditions may include periods of abnormal or heightened market volatility, strained credit and/or liquidity conditions or increased governmental intervention in the markets or industries. During such periods, the Portfolio may not invest according to its principal investment strategies or in the manner in which its name may suggest, and may be subject to different and/or heightened risks. It is possible that such unusual or adverse conditions may continue for extended periods of time.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund's Board of Trustees and the Adviser have adopted policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings (the "Policy"). Pursuant to the Policy, the Adviser may disclose information concerning Fund portfolio holdings only if such disclosure is consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Fund's and the Adviser's fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders. In no instance may the Adviser or the Fund receive compensation or any other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about the portfolio securities of the Fund. Consideration includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or by any affiliated person of the Adviser. Non-public information concerning portfolio holdings may be divulged to third-parties only when the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipients of the information are subject to a duty of confidentiality. Under no circumstances shall current or prospective Fund shareholders receive non-public portfolio holdings information, except as described below.

The Fund makes available on its public website the following portfolio holdings information:

•  complete portfolio holdings information monthly, at least 15 calendar days after the end of each month; and

•  top 10 holdings monthly, at least 15 calendar days after the end of each month.

The Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth fiscal quarters in its semiannual and annual reports, and for the first and third fiscal quarters in its filings with the SEC on Form N-Q.

All other portfolio holdings information that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally as described above is non-public information for purposes of the Policy.

The Fund may make selective disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information pursuant to certain exemptions set forth in the Policy. Third-parties eligible for exemptions under the Policy and therefore eligible to receive such disclosures currently include fund rating agencies, information exchange subscribers, consultants and analysts, portfolio analytics providers and service providers, provided that the third-party expressly agrees to maintain the disclosed information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities or related derivative securities based on the non-public information. Non-public portfolio holdings information may not be disclosed to a third-party pursuant to an exemption unless and until the third-party recipient has entered into a non-disclosure agreement with the Fund and the arrangement has been reviewed and approved as set forth in the Policy and discussed below. In addition, persons who owe a duty of trust or confidence to the Fund or the Adviser may receive non-public portfolio holdings information without entering into a non-disclosure agreement. Currently, these persons include (i) the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm (as of the Fund's fiscal year end and on an as-needed basis), (ii) counsel to the Fund (on an as-needed basis), (iii) counsel to the independent Trustees (on an as-needed basis) and (iv) members of the Board of Trustees (on an as-needed basis). Subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the Adviser or the Fund and the third-party recipient, if these conditions for disclosure are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which Fund non-public portfolio holdings information is released, and no lag period shall apply (unless otherwise indicated below).


36



The Adviser may provide interest lists to broker-dealers who execute securities transactions for the Fund without entering into a non-disclosure agreement with the broker-dealers, provided that the interest list satisfies all of the following criteria: (1) the interest list must contain only the CUSIP numbers and/or ticker symbols of securities held in all registered management investment companies advised by the Adviser or any affiliate of the Adviser (the "MSIM Funds") on an aggregate, rather than a fund-by-fund basis; (2) the interest list must not contain information about the number or value of shares owned by a specified MSIM Fund; (3) the interest list may identify the investment strategy, but not the particular MSIM Funds, to which the list relates; and (4) the interest list may not identify the portfolio manager or team members responsible for managing the MSIM Funds.

Fund shareholders may elect in some circumstances to redeem their shares of the Fund in exchange for their pro rata share of the securities held by the Fund. Under such circumstances, Fund shareholders may receive a complete listing of the holdings of the Fund up to seven calendar days prior to making the redemption request provided that they represent in writing that they agree not to disclose or trade on the basis of the portfolio holdings information.

The Fund may discuss or otherwise disclose performance attribution analyses for a particular portfolio (i.e., mention the effects of having a particular security in the portfolio(s)) where such discussion is not contemporaneously made public, provided that the particular holding has been disclosed publicly or the information that includes such holding(s) has been made available to shareholders requesting such information. Additionally, any discussion of the analyses may not be more current than the date the holding was disclosed publicly or the information that includes such holding(s) has been made available to shareholders requesting such information.

The Fund may disclose portfolio holdings to transition managers, provided that the Fund has entered into a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with the party requesting that the information be provided to the transition manager and the party to the non-disclosure agreement has, in turn, entered into a non-disclosure or confidentiality agreement with the transition manager.

The Adviser, the Fund and/or the Portfolio currently have entered into ongoing arrangements with the following parties:

Name

 

Information Disclosed

 

Frequency(1)

 

Lag Time

 

Service Providers

 
RiskMetrics Group
(proxy voting agent)(*)
  Complete portfolio holdings
  Daily basis
  (2)
 
 

State Street Bank and Trust Company(*)

 

Complete portfolio holdings

 

As needed

   

(2)

   

BlackRock Financial Management Inc(*)

 

Complete portfolio holdings

 

Daily basis

   

(2)

   

Fund Rating Agencies

 

Lipper(*)

  Top ten and complete portfolio
holdings
  Monthly basis
  Approximately six business
days after month end
 

Consultants and Analysts

 

Citigroup(*)

 

Complete portfolio holdings

 

Quarterly basis(3)

  At least one day after
quarter end
 

Credit Suisse First Boston(*)

  Top ten and complete portfolio
holdings
  Monthly and quarterly basis,
respectively
  Approximately 10-12 days
after month/quarter end
 

Evaluation Associates(*)

  Top ten and complete portfolio
holdings
  Monthly and quarterly basis,
respectively(3)
  Approximately 10-12 days
after month/quarter end
 

Merrill Lynch(*)

  Top ten and complete portfolio
holdings
  Monthly and quarterly basis,
respectively(3)
  Approximately 10-12 days
after month/quarter end
 

Portfolio Analytics Providers

 

FactSet Research Systems, Inc.(*)

 

Complete portfolio holdings

 

Daily basis

 

One day

 

(*)  This entity has agreed to maintain Fund non-public portfolio holdings information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public portfolio holdings information.

(1)  Dissemination of portfolio holdings information to entities listed above may occur less frequently than indicated (or not at all).

(2)  Information will typically be provided on a real time basis or as soon thereafter as possible.

(3)  This information will also be provided upon request from time to time.

All disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information made to third-parties pursuant to the exemptions set forth in the Policy must be reviewed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management's ("MSIM") Legal and Compliance Division and approved by the Head of the Long-Only Business of MSIM. Disclosures made to third-parties in connection with (i) broker-dealer interest lists; (ii) shareholder in-kind distributions; (iii) attribution analyses; or (iv) transition managers are pre-approved for purposes of the Policy. In addition, the following


37



categories of third-parties that may receive non-public portfolio holdings information are also pre-approved provided that they enter into non-disclosure agreements (as discussed above) (i) fund rating agencies; (ii) information exchange subscribers; (iii) consultants and analysts (including defined benefit and defined contribution plan sponsors, and variable annuity providers); (iv) portfolio analytics providers; and (v) service providers.

The Adviser shall report quarterly to the Board of Trustees (or a designated committee thereof) at the next regularly scheduled meeting (i) any material information concerning all parties receiving non-public portfolio holdings information pursuant to an exemption; and (ii) any new non-disclosure agreements entered into during the reporting period. Procedures to monitor the use of such non-public portfolio holdings information may include requiring annual certifications that the recipients have utilized such information only pursuant to the terms of the agreement between the recipient and the Adviser and, for those recipients receiving information electronically, acceptance of the information will constitute reaffirmation that the third-party expressly agrees to maintain the disclosed information in confidence and not to trade portfolio securities based on the non-public information.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Class L shares of the Portfolio are not being offered at this time. You do not currently have the option of purchasing Class L shares.

Information concerning how Portfolio shares are offered to the public (and how they are redeemed or exchanged) is provided in the Portfolio's Prospectus. The Portfolio reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the offering of its shares; (ii) to reject purchase orders when in the judgment of management such rejection is in the best interest of the Fund; and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial investments for certain categories of investments.

The NAV per share of the Portfolio is calculated on days that the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. NAV per share is determined as of the close of trading of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) (the "Pricing Time"). The Portfolio may, however, elect to remain open and price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed but the primary securities markets on which the Portfolio's securities trade remain open.

Additional Purchase Information. You may purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares directly from the Fund by Federal Funds wire or by check; however, on days that the NYSE is open but the custodian bank is closed, you may only purchase shares by check. Investors may also invest in the Portfolio by purchasing Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares through certain third-parties, such as brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries that have entered into a selling agreement with the Distributor (each a "Financial Intermediary"). Some Financial Intermediaries may charge an additional service or transaction fee (see also "Investment Through Financial Intermediaries"). If a purchase is canceled due to nonpayment or because your check does not clear, you will be responsible for any loss the Fund or its agents incur. If you are already a shareholder, the Fund may redeem shares from your account(s) to reimburse the Fund or its agents for any loss. In addition, you may be prohibited or restricted from making future investments in the Fund.

Federal Funds Wire. When a purchase order is received prior to the Pricing Time and Federal Funds are received prior to the regular close of the Federal Funds Wire Control Center ("FFWCC") (normally 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time), the purchase will be executed at the NAV computed on the date of receipt. Purchases for which an order is received after the Pricing Time or for which Federal Funds are received after the regular close of the FFWCC will be executed at the NAV next determined. Certain institutional investors and financial institutions have entered into agreements with the Fund pursuant to which they may place orders prior to the Pricing Time, but make payment in Federal Funds for those shares the following business day.

Check. An account may be opened and you may purchase Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares by completing and signing a New Account Application and mailing it, together with a check payable to "Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust—Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio" to:

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust
c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 219804
Kansas City, MO 64121-9804


38



A purchase of shares by check ordinarily will be credited to your account at the NAV per share determined on the day of receipt.

Investment Through Financial Intermediaries. Certain Financial Intermediaries have made arrangements with the Fund so that an investor may purchase or redeem Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares at the NAV per share next determined after the Financial Intermediary receives the share order. In other instances, the Fund has also authorized such Financial Intermediaries to designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf at the share price next determined after such designees receive the share order. Under these arrangements, the Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when the Financial Intermediary or, if applicable, a Financial Intermediary's authorized designee, receives the share order from an investor.

Conversion To a New Share Class. If the value of an account containing shares of the Portfolio falls below the investment minimum for the class of shares held by the account because of shareholder redemption(s) or the failure to meet one of the waiver criteria set forth in the Portfolio's Prospectus and, if the account value remains below such investment minimum, the shares in such account may, at the Adviser's discretion, convert to another class of shares offered by the Portfolio, if an account meets the minimum investment amount for such class, and will be subject to the shareholder services fee and other features applicable to such shares. Conversion to another class of shares will result in holding a share class with higher fees. The Fund will not convert to another class of shares based solely upon changes in the market that reduce the NAV of shares. Under current tax law, conversion between share classes is not a taxable event to the shareholder. Shareholders will be notified prior to any such conversion.

Involuntary Redemption of Shares. If the value of an account falls below the investment minimum for that Class because of shareholder redemption(s) or you no longer meet one of the waiver criteria set forth in the Portfolio's Prospectus and, if the account value remains below such investment minimum, the shares in such account may be subject to redemption by the Fund. The Fund will not redeem shares based solely upon changes in the market that reduce the NAV of shares. If shares are redeemed, redemption proceeds will be promptly paid to the shareholder. Shareholders will be notified prior to any such redemption.

Suspension of Redemptions. The Fund may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment (i) during any period that the NYSE is closed, or trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; (ii) during any period when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC as a result of which it is not practicable for the Portfolio to dispose of securities it owns, or fairly to determine the value of its assets; and (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.

Further Redemption Information. To protect your account and the Fund from fraud, signature guarantees are required for certain redemptions. Signature guarantees enable the Fund to verify the identity of the person who has authorized a redemption from your account. Signature guarantees are required in connection with: (i) all redemptions, regardless of the amount involved, when the proceeds are to be paid to someone other than the registered owner(s) and/or registered address; and (ii) share transfer requests. An "eligible guarantor institution" may include a bank, a trust company, a credit union or savings and loan association, a member firm of a domestic stock exchange, or a foreign branch of any of the foregoing. Notaries public are not acceptable guarantors. The signature guarantees must appear either: (i) on the written request for redemption; (ii) on a separate instrument for assignment ("stock power") which should specify the total number of shares to be redeemed; or (iii) on all stock certificates tendered for redemption and, if shares held by the Fund are also being redeemed, on the letter or stock power.

Transactions With Broker/Dealers. The Fund has authorized certain brokers to accept on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Some of these brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Fund's behalf. For purposes of determining the purchase price of shares, the Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker, or if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the order. In other words, orders will be priced at the NAV next computed after such orders are accepted by an authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.

ACCOUNT POLICIES AND FEATURES

Transfer of Shares

Shareholders may transfer shares of the Portfolio to another person by written request to Shareholder Services at Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, c/o Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas


39



City, MO 64121-9804. If shares are being transferred to a new account, requests for transfer must be accompanied by a completed New Account Application for the receiving party. If shares are being transferred to an existing account, the request should clearly identify the account and number of shares to be transferred and include the signature of all registered owners and all share certificates, if any, which are subject to the transfer. The signature on the letter of request, the share certificate or any stock power must be guaranteed in the same manner as described in the Prospectuses. As in the case of redemptions, the written request must be received in good order before any transfer can be made.

Valuation of Shares

NAV per share is determined by dividing the total market value of the Portfolio's investments and other assets, less the total market value of all liabilities, by the total number of outstanding shares of the Portfolio. The NAV for each class of shares offered by the Fund may differ due to class-specific expenses paid by each class, including the shareholder servicing fees charged to Class A shares and Class L shares.

In the calculation of the Portfolio's NAV: (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices; and (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which OTC market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market. When market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which it is determined by the Adviser that the closing price, the last sale price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE.

Short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser determines such valuation does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair market value as determined by the Adviser.

Certain of the Portfolio's securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Board. The pricing service may utilize a matrix system or other model incorporating attributes such as security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing service.

Listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sale price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. If an exchange closing price or bid and asked prices are not available from the exchange, then the quotes from one or more brokers or dealers may be used. Unlisted options and swaps are valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Board or quotes from a broker or dealer. Unlisted options and swaps cleared on a clearinghouse or exchange may be valued using the closing price provided by the clearinghouse or exchange. Futures are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which they trade or, if a settlement price is unavailable, then at the last sale price on the exchange.

If the Adviser determines that the valuation received from the outside pricing service or broker or dealer is not reflective of the security's market value, such security is valued at its fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board.

Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments, is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the NAV of the Portfolio's shares are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the NYSE. Occasionally, events which may affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of the NYSE. If events that may affect the value of such securities occur during such


40



period, then these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the supervision of the Board.

Although the legal rights of Class I, Class A, Class L and Class IS shares will be identical, the different expenses borne by each class will result in different NAVs and dividends for the class. Dividends will differ by approximately the amount of the distribution expense accrual differential among the classes. The NAV of Class A and Class L shares will generally be lower than the NAV of Class I and Class IS shares as a result of the shareholder services fees charged to Class A shares and the distribution and shareholder services fees charged to Class L shares and certain other class-specific expenses of Class A and Class L shares.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

Trustees and Officers

The Board of the Fund consists of 12 Trustees. These same individuals also serve as directors or trustees for certain of the funds advised by the Adviser and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP. Eleven Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser's parent company, Morgan Stanley. These are the "non-interested" or "Independent" Trustees. The other Trustee (the "Interested Trustee") is affiliated with the Adviser.

Board Structure and Oversight Function

The Board's leadership structure features an Independent Trustee serving as Chairperson and the Board Committees described below. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the preparation of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also presides at all meetings of the Board and is involved in discussions regarding matters pertaining to the oversight of the management of the Fund between meetings.

The Board of Trustees operates using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the Fund and Fund stockholders, and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the Fund's activities and associated risks. The Board of Trustees has established five standing committees: (1) Audit Committee, (2) Governance Committee, (3) Compliance and Insurance Committee, (4) Investment Committee and (5) Closed-End Fund Committee. The Audit Committee, the Governance Committee and the Closed-End Fund Committee are comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees. Each committee charter governs the scope of the committee's responsibilities with respect to the oversight of the Fund. The responsibilities of each committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under the caption "Independent Trustees and the Committees."

The Portfolio is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risk, among others. The Board of Trustees oversees these risks as part of its broader oversight of the Fund's affairs through various Board and committee activities. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address various risks to the Portfolio. In addition, appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer, members of the Fund's administration and accounting teams, representatives from the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm, the Fund's Treasurer, portfolio management personnel and independent valuation and brokerage evaluation service providers, make regular reports regarding the Fund's activities and related risks to the Board of Trustees and the committees, as appropriate. These reports include, among others, quarterly performance reports, quarterly derivatives activity and risk reports and discussions with members of the risk teams relating to each asset class. The Board's committee structure allows separate committees to focus on different aspects of risk and the potential impact of these risks on some or all of the funds in the complex and then report back to the full Board. In between regular meetings, Fund officers also communicate with the Trustees regarding material exceptions and items relevant to the Board's risk oversight function. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Portfolio, and that it is not possible to develop processes and controls to eliminate all of the risks that may affect the Portfolio. Moreover, the Board recognizes that it may be necessary for the Portfolio to bear certain risks (such as investment risk) to achieve its investment objective.

As needed between meetings of the Board, the Board or a specific committee receives and reviews reports relating to the Fund and engages in discussions with appropriate parties relating to the Fund's operations and related risks.


41



Trustees

The Fund seeks as Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance, government service or academia. In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. Based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee, including those enumerated in the table below, the Board has determined that each of the Trustees is qualified to serve as a Trustee of the Fund. In addition, the Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the Fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the Fund's Governance Committee and Board of Trustee nomination process is provided below under the caption "Independent Trustee and the Committees."

The Trustees of the Fund, their ages, addresses, positions held, length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex (defined below) overseen by each Independent Trustee (as of December 31, 2014 unless otherwise indicated) and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustees, are shown below. The Fund Complex includes all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Adviser and any registered funds that have an adviser that is an affiliate of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP) (the "Morgan Stanley AIP Funds") (collectively, the "Morgan Stanley Funds").


42



Independent Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Independent Trustee**
 
Frank L. Bowman (70)
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 Morgan Stanley 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) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).

 

96

 

Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Naval Submarine League; Director of the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Chairman of the charity J Street Cup Golf; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church.

 

*  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.


43



Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Independent Trustee**
 
Michael Bozic (74)
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 and a member of the advisory board of American Road Group LLC (retail) (since June 2000); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since April 1994); 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.

 

98

 

Trustee and member of the Hillsdale College Board of Trustees.

 
Kathleen A. Dennis (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

 

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 Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).

 

96

 

Director of various non-profit organizations.

 
Nancy C. Everett*** (60)
c/o Kramer Levin
Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the
Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since January 2015

 

Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

96

 

Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors; Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation; formerly, Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.

***  Ms. Everett and Ms. Haussler joined the Board of Trustees of the Fund as Independent Trustees effective January 1, 2015.


44



Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Independent Trustee**
 
Jakki L. Haussler*** (57)
c/o Kramer Levin
Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the
Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (since January 1996); formerly, Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008).

 

96

 

Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Compensation Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Best Transport; Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; formerly, Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008) and Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008).

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (66)
c/o Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
 

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 various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); 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.

 

98

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 
Joseph J. Kearns (72)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC
23823 Malibu Road
S-50-440
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 various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

 

99

 

Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing). Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 

*  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.

***  Ms. Everett and Ms. Haussler joined the Board of Trustees of the Fund as Independent Trustees effective January 1, 2015.


45



Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Independent Trustee**
 
Michael F. Klein (56)
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); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Capital LLC (since August 2013); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management, President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

96

 

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 (78)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chairperson of the Board and Trustee

 

Chairpersonof the Boards since July 2006 and Trustee since July 1991

 

Chairperson of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee (since June 2012) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006); General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership) (1988-2013).

 

98

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed (67)
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 Morgan Stanley 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).

 

96

 

Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation.

 

*  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.


46



Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Independent Trustee**
 
Fergus Reid (82)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
 

Trustee

 

Since June 1992

 

Chairman, Joe Pietryka, Inc.; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1992).

 

99

 

Through December 31, 2012, Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JPMorgan Fund complex managed by JP Morgan Investment Management Inc. (1987-December 2012).

 

Interested Trustee:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time
Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Interested
Trustee
  Other Directorships Held
by Interested Trustee**
 
James F. Higgins (67)
One New York Plaza
New York, NY 10004
 

Trustee

 

Since June 2000

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 2000); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000).

 

97

 

Formerly, Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2002-2011) and Director of AXA MONY Life Insurance Company and AXA MONY Life Insurance Company of America (2004-2011).

 

*  This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**  This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years.

The executive officers of the Fund, their ages, addresses, positions held, length of time served and their principal business occupations during the past five years are shown below.

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address
of Executive Trustee
  Position(s) Held
with Registrant
  Length of
Time Served***
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon (51)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various Money Market Funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Product (since 2006) and Global Portfolio Analysis and Reporting (since 2012) for MSIM's Long Only business.

 
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (48)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chief Compliance Officer

  Since
December 1997
 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since January 2014). Formerly, Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (December 1997-January 2014).

 
Joseph C. Benedetti (49)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Vice President

  Since
January 2014
 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2014). Formerly, Assistant Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (October 2004-January 2014).

 

***  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.


47



Name, Age and Address
of Executive Trustee
  Position(s) Held
with Registrant
  Length of
Time Served***
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
Francis J. Smith (49)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002).

 
Mary E. Mullin (47)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Secretary

  Since
June 1999
 

Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 

***  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

In addition, the following individuals who are officers of the Adviser or its affiliates serve as assistant secretaries of the Fund: Joanne Antico, Daniel E. Burton, Gladys Chang and Edward J. Meehan.

For each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Fund and in the Family of Investment Companies (Family of Investment Companies includes all of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014 is set forth in the table below.

Name of Trustee

  Dollar Range of Equity Securities
in the Fund
(as of December 31, 2014)
  Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All
Registered Investment Companies
Overseen by Trustee in
Family of Investment Companies
(as of December 31, 2014)
 

Independent:

 
Frank L. Bowman(1)  

*

 

over $100,000

 
Michael Bozic  

*

 

over $100,000

 
Kathleen A. Dennis  

*

 

over $100,000

 

Nancy C. Everett(2)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Jakki L. Haussler(2)

 

N/A

 

N/A

 
Manuel H. Johnson  

None

 

over $100,000

 
Joseph J. Kearns(1)  

*

 

over $100,000

 
Michael F. Klein  

*

 

over $100,000

 
Michael E. Nugent  

*

 

over $100,000

 
W. Allen Reed(1)  

*

 

over $100,000

 
Fergus Reid(1)  

None

 

over $100,000

 

Interested:

 
James F. Higgins  

None

 

over $100,000

 

*  Frank L. Bowman—Mid Cap Growth Portfolio ($50,001-$100,000). Michael Bozic—Mid Cap Growth Portfolio (over $100,000); Kathleen A. Dennis—Mid Cap Growth Portfolio (over $100,000); Joseph J. Kearns—Global Strategist Portfolio (over $100,000); Corporate Bond Portfolio ($50,001-$100,000). Michael F. Klein—Mid Cap Growth Portfolio ($50,001-$100,000); Michael E. Nugent—Global Strategist Portfolio (over $100,000); W. Allen Reed—Mid Cap Growth Portfolio ($10,001-$50,000) and Global Strategist Portfolio (over $100,000).

(1)  Includes the total amount of compensation deferred by the Trustee at his election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the Morgan Stanley Funds (or portfolio thereof) that are offered as investment options under the plan.

(2)  Ms. Everett and Ms. Haussler joined the Board of Trustees of the Fund as Independent Trustees effective January 1, 2015.

As to each Independent Trustee and his or her immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities of an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.

As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees and officers of the Fund, as a group, owned less than 1% of the outstanding common stock of the Portfolio of the Fund.


48



Independent Trustees and the Committees

Law and regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for the Independent Trustees. The Board has five committees: (1) Audit Committee, (2) Governance Committee, (3) Compliance and Insurance Committee, (4) Investment Committee and (5) Closed-End Fund Committee.

The Independent Trustees are charged with recommending to the full Board approval of management, advisory and administration contracts, Rule 12b-1 plans and distribution and underwriting agreements; continually reviewing fund performance, checking on the pricing of portfolio securities, brokerage commissions, transfer agent costs and performance and trading among funds in the same complex; and approving fidelity bond and related insurance coverage and allocations, as well as other matters that arise from time to time. The Independent Trustees are required to select and nominate individuals to fill any Independent Trustee vacancy on the board of any fund that has a Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution.

The Board of Trustees has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Audit Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the engagement or discharge of the Fund's independent registered public accounting firm; directing investigations into matters within the scope of the independent registered public accounting firm's duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and other accounting firms prior to the performance of the services; reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of the Fund's system of internal controls; and reviewing the valuation process. The Fund has adopted a formal, written Audit Committee Charter.

The members of the Audit Committee of the Fund are Jakki L. Haussler, Joseph J. Kearns, Michael F. Klein and W. Allen Reed. None of the members of the Fund's Audit Committee is an "interested person," as defined under the 1940 Act, of the Fund (with such disinterested Trustees being "Independent Trustees" or individually, "Independent Trustee"). Each Independent Trustee is also "independent" from the Fund under the listing standards of the NYSE. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Fund is Joseph J. Kearns.

The Board of Trustees of the Fund also has a Governance Committee. The Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees on the Fund's Board and on committees of the Board and recommends such qualified individuals for nomination by the Fund's Independent Trustees as candidates for election as Independent Trustees, advises the Fund's Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees, develops and recommends to the Fund's Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Fund, monitors and makes recommendations on corporate governance matters and policies and procedures of the Fund's Board of Trustees and any Board committees and oversees periodic evaluations of the Fund's Board and its committees. The members of the Governance Committee of the Fund are Kathleen A. Dennis, Michael E. Nugent and Fergus Reid, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. In addition, Michael E. Nugent (Chairperson of the Morgan Stanley Funds) periodically attends operating committee meetings. The Chairperson of the Governance Committee is Fergus Reid.

The Fund does not have a separate nominating committee. While the Fund's Governance Committee recommends qualified candidates for nominations as Independent Trustees, the Board of Trustees of the Fund believes that the task of nominating prospective Independent Trustees is important enough to require the participation of all current Independent Trustees, rather than a separate committee consisting of only certain Independent Trustees. Accordingly, each Independent Trustee (Frank L. Bowman, Michael Bozic, Kathleen A. Dennis, Nancy C. Everett, Jakki L. Haussler, Manuel H. Johnson, Joseph J. Kearns, Michael F. Klein, Michael E. Nugent, W. Allen Reed and Fergus Reid) participates in the election and nomination of candidates for election as Independent Trustees for the Fund. Persons recommended by the Fund's Governance Committee as candidates for nomination as Independent Trustees shall possess such experience, qualifications, attributes, skills and diversity so as to enhance the Board's ability to manage and direct the affairs and business of the Fund, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of committees of the Board to fulfill their duties and/or to satisfy any independence requirements imposed by law, regulation or any listing requirements of the NYSE. While the Independent Trustees of the Fund expect to be able to continue to identify from their own resources an ample number of qualified candidates for the Fund's Board as they deem appropriate, they will consider nominations from shareholders to the Board. Nominations from shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Independent Trustees as described below under the caption "Shareholder Communications."


49



The Board formed the Compliance and Insurance Committee to address insurance coverage and oversee the compliance function for the Fund and the Board. The Compliance and Insurance Committee consists of Frank L. Bowman, Michael Bozic, Nancy C. Everett, James F. Higgins and Manuel H. Johnson. Frank L. Bowman, Michael Bozic, Nancy C. Everett and Manuel H. Johnson are Independent Trustees. The Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee is Michael Bozic. The Compliance and Insurance Committee has an Insurance Sub-Committee to review and monitor the insurance coverage maintained by the Fund. The Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee is Frank L. Bowman.

The Investment Committee oversees the portfolio investment process for and reviews the performance of the Fund. The Investment Committee also recommends to the Board to approve or renew the Fund's Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements. The members of the Investment Committee are Frank L. Bowman, Michael Bozic, Kathleen A. Dennis, Nancy C. Everett, Jakki L. Haussler, James F. Higgins, Manuel H. Johnson, Joseph J. Kearns, Michael F. Klein, Michael E. Nugent, W. Allen Reed and Fergus Reid. The Chairperson of the Investment Committee is Manuel H. Johnson.

The Investment Committee has three Sub-Committees, each with its own Chairperson. Each Sub-Committee focuses on the funds' primary areas of investment, namely equities, fixed income and alternatives. The Sub-Committees and their members are as follows:

(1)  Equity—W. Allen Reed (Chairperson), Frank L. Bowman, Nancy C. Everett and Michael E. Nugent.

(2)  Fixed Income—Michael F. Klein (Chairperson), Michael Bozic and Fergus Reid.

(3)  Money Market and Alternatives—Kathleen A. Dennis (Chairperson), Jakki L. Haussler, James F. Higgins and Joseph J. Kearns.

The Board formed the Closed-End Fund Committee to consider a range of issues unique to closed-end funds. The Closed-End Fund Committee consists of Michael E. Nugent, W. Allen Reed and Fergus Reid, each of whom is an Independent Director. The Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee is Michael E. Nugent.

During the Fund's fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, the Board of Trustees held the following meetings:

Board of Trustees    

8

   

Committee/Sub-Committee:

 

Number of Meetings

 
Audit Committee    

5

   
Governance Committee    

5

   
Compliance and Insurance Committee    

5

   
Insurance Sub-Committee    

1

   
Investment Committee    

6

   
Equity Sub-Committee    

6

   
Fixed Income Sub-Committee    

6

   
Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee    

6

   
Closed-End Fund Committee    

5

   

Experience, Qualifications and Attributes

The Board has concluded, based on each Trustee's experience, qualifications and attributes that each Board member should serve as a Trustee. Following is a brief summary of the information that led to and/or supports this conclusion.

Mr. Bowman has experience in a variety of business and financial matters through his prior service as a Director or Trustee for various other funds in the Fund Complex, where he serves as Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee, and as a Director of BP p.l.c. and Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP. Mr. Bowman also serves as a Director for the Armed Services YMCA of the USA, the U.S. Naval Submarine League, the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association and as Chairman of the charity J Street Cup Golf. Mr. Bowman serves as a Trustee of the Fairhaven United Methodist Church. Mr. Bowman is also a member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA


50



Military Advisory Board. Mr. Bowman retired as an Admiral in the U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including eight years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004). Additionally, Mr. Bowman served as the U.S. Navy's Chief of Naval Personnel (1994-1996) where he was responsible for the planning and programming of all manpower, personnel, training and education resources for the U.S. Navy, and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (1992-1994). In addition, Mr. Bowman served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute. Mr. Bowman has received such distinctions as a knighthood as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite from the French Government, and was elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009). He is President of the consulting firm Strategic Decisions, LLC.

With over 20 years of experience on the boards and in senior management of such companies as Kmart Corporation, Levitz Furniture Corporation, Hills Department Stores and Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co., where Mr. Bozic also served as Chief Executive Officer of the Merchandise Group, and with nearly 20 years of experience as a Director or Trustee of certain other funds in the Fund Complex, Mr. Bozic has experience with a variety of financial, management, regulatory and operational issues as well as experience with marketing and distribution. Mr. Bozic has served as the Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee since 2006.

Ms. Dennis has over 25 years of business experience in the financial services industry and related fields including serving as a Director or Trustee of various other funds in the Fund Complex, where she serves as Chairperson of the Money Market and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee. Ms. Dennis possesses a strong understanding of the regulatory framework under which investment companies must operate based on her years of service to this Board and her position as Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management.

Ms. Everett has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, including roles with both registered investment companies and registered investment advisers. By serving on the boards of other registered funds, such as GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC and Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc., Ms. Everett has acquired significant experience with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters. Ms. Everett is also a Chartered Financial Analyst.

With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, including her years of entrepreneurial and managerial experience in the development and growth of Opus Capital Group, Ms. Haussler brings a valuable perspective to the Fund's Board. Through her role at Opus Capital and her service as a director of several venture capital funds and other boards, Ms. Haussler has gained valuable experience dealing with accounting principles and evaluating financial results of large corporations. She is a certified public accountant (inactive), a licensed attorney in the State of Ohio (inactive), and an audit committee financial expert under SEC regulations.

In addition to his tenure as a Director or Trustee of various other funds in the Fund Complex, where he formerly served as Chairperson of the Audit Committee, Dr. Johnson has also served as an officer or a board member of numerous companies for over 20 years. These positions included Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council, Director of NVR, Inc., Director of Evergreen Energy and Director of Greenwich Capital Holdings. He also has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. In addition, Dr. Johnson also served as Chairman of the Financial Accounting Foundation, which oversees the Financial Accounting Standards Board, for seven years.

Mr. Kearns gained extensive experience regarding accounting through his experience on the Audit Committees of the boards of other funds in the Funds Complex, including serving as either Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee for nearly 20 years, and through his position as Chief Financial Officer of the J. Paul Getty Trust. He also has experience in financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his position as President and founder of Kearns & Associates LLC, a financial consulting company. Mr. Kearns also serves as a Director of Electro Rent Corporation and previously served as Director of The Ford Family Foundation. The Board has determined that Mr. Kearns is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined by the SEC.

Through his prior positions as a Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and as President and a Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds, Mr. Klein has experience in the management and operation of registered investment companies, enabling him to


51



provide management input and investment guidance to the Board. Mr. Klein also has extensive experience in the investment management industry based on his current positions as Managing Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Capital, LLC, Co-President of Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC and as a Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. In addition, he also has experience as a member of the board of other funds in the Fund Complex.

Mr. Nugent has extensive experience with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his over 20 years of service on the boards of various funds in the Fund Complex, including time as the Chairperson of the Insurance Committee, Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee and Chairperson of the Morgan Stanley Funds. Mr. Nugent also has experience as a former General Partner in Triumph Capital, L.P.

Mr. Reed has experience on investment company boards and is experienced with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters through his prior service as a Director of iShares Inc. and his service as Trustee or Director of other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Reed also gained substantial experience in the financial services industry through his position as a Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and prior position as President and CEO of General Motors Asset Management.

Mr. Reid has served on a number of mutual fund boards, including as a Trustee or Director of certain investment companies in the JP Morgan Funds complex and as a Trustee or Director of other funds in the Fund Complex. Therefore, Mr. Reid is experienced with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters, enabling him to provide management input and investment guidance to the Board.

Mr. Higgins has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Mr. Higgins has substantial mutual fund experience and is experienced with financial, accounting, investment and regulatory matters due to his experience on the boards of other funds in the Fund Complex. Mr. Higgins also previously served on the boards of other companies in the financial services industry, including AXA Financial, Inc. and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company.

The Trustees' principal occupations during the past five years or more are shown in the above tables.

Advantages of Having the Same Individuals as Trustees for the Morgan Stanley Funds

The Independent Trustees and the Fund's management believe that having the same Independent Trustees for each of the Morgan Stanley Funds avoids the duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the funds or even of sub-groups of funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as Independent Trustees of all the Morgan Stanley Funds tends to increase their knowledge and expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund Complex generally and enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each fund with the fund's service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and management of the funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Trustees serve on all fund boards enhances the ability of each fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate fund, the services of Independent Trustees of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Funds.

Trustee and Officer Indemnification

The Fund's Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his/her or its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his/her or its duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look solely to Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.

Shareholder Communications

Shareholders may send communications to the Fund's Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Fund's Board by addressing the communications directly to the Board (or individual Board members) and/or otherwise clearly indicating in the salutation that the communication is for the


52



Board (or individual Board members) and by sending the communication to either the Fund's office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for each Trustee previously noted. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management's discretion based on the matters contained therein.

Compensation

Effective January 1, 2015, each Trustee (except for the Chairperson of the Boards) receives an annual retainer fee of $240,000 ($230,000 prior to January 1, 2015) for serving as a Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Funds.

The Chairperson of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual retainer fee of $78,750 and the Investment Committee Chairperson receives an additional annual retainer fee of $63,000. Other Committee and, Sub-Committee Chairpersons (except for the Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee) receive an additional annual retainer fee of $31,500. The aggregate compensation paid to each Trustee is paid by the Morgan Stanley Funds, and is allocated on a pro rata basis among each of the operational funds/portfolios of the Morgan Stanley Funds based on the relative net assets of each of the funds/portfolios. Michael E. Nugent receives a total annual retainer fee of $480,000 ($460,000 prior to January 1, 2015) for his services as Chairperson of the Boards of the Morgan Stanley Funds and for administrative services provided to each Board.

The Fund also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees of the Fund who are employed by the Adviser receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund for their services as a Trustee.

Effective April 1, 2004, the Fund began a Deferred Compensation Plan (the "DC Plan"), which allows each Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Trustees throughout the year. 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 (or portfolios thereof) that are offered as investment options under the DC Plan. At the Trustee's election, distributions are either in one lump sum payment, or in the form of equal annual installments over a period of five years. The rights of an eligible Trustee and the beneficiaries to the amounts held under the DC Plan are unsecured and such amounts are subject to the claims of the creditors of the Fund.

Prior to April 1, 2004, the Fund maintained a similar Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Prior DC Plan"), which also allowed each Independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she received for serving on the Board of Trustees throughout the year. Generally, the DC Plan amends and supersedes the Prior DC Plan and all amounts payable under the Prior DC Plan are now subject to the terms of the DC Plan (except for amounts paid during the calendar year 2004, which remain subject to the terms of the Prior DC Plan).

The following table shows aggregate compensation payable to each of the Fund's Trustees from the Fund for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and the aggregate compensation payable to each of the Fund's Trustees by the Fund Complex (which includes all of the Morgan Stanley Funds) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014.

COMPENSATION(1)

Name of Trustee

  Aggregate Compensation
From the Fund(2)
  Total Compensation
From Fund and Fund
Complex Paid to the Trustees(3)
 
Frank L. Bowman  

$

16,524

   

$

261,500

   
Michael Bozic    

16,211

     

261,500

   
Kathleen A. Dennis    

16,524

     

261,500

   

Nancy C. Everett(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   

Jakki L. Haussler(4)

   

N/A

     

N/A

   
Manuel H. Johnson    

18,164

     

293,000

   
Joseph J. Kearns(3)    

19,139

     

340,750

   
Michael F. Klein(2)(3)    

16,523

     

261,500

   
Michael E. Nugent    

28,512

     

460,000

   
W. Allen Reed(2)(3)    

16,523

     

261,500

   


53



Name of Trustee

  Aggregate Compensation
From the Fund(2)
  Total Compensation
From Fund and Fund
Complex Paid to the Trustees(3)
 
Fergus Reid(3)    

16,211

     

308,500

   
James F. Higgins    

14,299

     

230,000

   

(1)  Includes all amounts paid for serving as director/trustee of the funds, as well as serving as Chairperson of the Boards or a Chairperson of a Committee or Sub-Committee.

(2)  The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation before deferral with respect to the Fund's fiscal year. The following Trustees deferred compensation from the Fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014: Mr. Klein, $16,523 and Mr. Reed, $16,523.

(3)  The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation paid by all of the funds in the Fund Complex as of December 31, 2014 before deferral by the Trustees under the DC Plan. As of December 31, 2014, the value (including interest) of the deferral accounts across the Fund Complex for Messrs. Kearns, Klein, Reed and Reid pursuant to the deferred compensation plan was $666,222, $260,630, $1,697,049 and $845,514, respectively. Because the funds in the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis.

(4)  Ms. Everett and Ms. Haussler joined the Board of Trustees of the Fund as Independent Trustees effective January 1, 2015.

Prior to December 31, 2003, 49 of the Morgan Stanley Funds (the "Adopting Funds") had adopted a retirement program under which an Independent Trustee who retired after serving for at least five years as an Independent Trustee of any such fund (an "Eligible Trustee") would have been entitled to retirement payments based on factors such as length of service, upon reaching the eligible retirement age. On December 31, 2003, the amount of accrued retirement benefits for each Eligible Trustee was frozen, and will be payable, together with a return of 8% per annum, at or following each such Eligible Trustee's retirement as shown in the table below. In connection with certain reorganizations, the Fund, on behalf of each of the Global Strategist and Mid Cap Growth Portfolios, assumed the retirement benefits accrued to the Eligible Trustees of the funds acquired by such Portfolios.

The following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the Fund's Independent Trustees by the Fund (on behalf of the Global Strategist and Mid Cap Growth Portfolios) for the period ended September 30, 2014 and by the Adopting Funds for the calendar year ended December 31, 2014, and the estimated retirement benefits for the Independent Trustees from the Adopting Funds for each calendar year following retirement. Only the Trustees listed below participated in the retirement program.

    Retirement Benefits Accrued
as Fund Expenses
  Estimated Annual Benefits
Upon Retirement(1)
 
Name of Independent Trustee   By the
Fund*
  By the
Fund**
  By all Adopting
Funds
  From the
Fund***
  From all Adopting
Funds
 
Michael Bozic(2)  

$

(244

)

 

$

(234

)

 

$

(9,955

)

 

$

967

   

$

43,940

   
Manuel H. Johnson    

669

     

699

     

31,557

     

1,420

     

64,338

   
Michael E. Nugent(2)    

(278

)

   

(295

)

   

(14,620

)

   

1,269

     

57,539

   

*  Global Strategist Portfolio

**  Mid Cap Growth Portfolio

***  Global Strategist Portfolio and Mid Cap Growth Portfolio

(1)  Total compensation accrued under the retirement plan, together with a return of 8% per annum, will be paid annually commencing upon retirement and continuing for the remainder of the Trustee's life.

(2)  Messrs. Bozic's and Nugent's retirement expenses are negative due to the fact their expenses have been overaccrued.

Code of Ethics

The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics are designed to detect and prevent improper personal trading. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased, sold or held by the Fund, subject to a number of restrictions and controls, including prohibitions against purchases of securities in an initial public offering and a preclearance requirement with respect to personal securities transactions.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Adviser

The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley (NYSE: "MS"), a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. The principal offices of Morgan Stanley are


54



located at 1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, and the principal offices of the Adviser are located at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036. As of December 31, 2014, the Adviser, together with its affiliated asset management companies, had approximately $403 billion in assets under management or supervision.

The Adviser provides investment advice and portfolio management services pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the "Agreement") and, subject to the supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees, makes the Portfolio's day-to-day investment decisions, arranges for the execution of portfolio transactions and generally manages the Portfolio's investments. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Adviser is entitled to receive from each class of shares of the Portfolio an annual management fee, payable quarterly, equal to the percentage of average daily net assets set forth in the below table reflecting the contractual advisory fee and the maximum expense ratios for the Portfolio. The Adviser has agreed to a reduction in the fees payable to it and to reimburse the Portfolio, if necessary, if such fees would cause the total annual operating expenses of the Portfolio to exceed the percentage of average daily net assets set forth in the below table reflecting the contractual advisory fee and the maximum expense ratios for the Portfolio. In determining the actual amount of fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement for the Portfolio, if any, the Adviser excludes from total annual operating expenses certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation). The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the Portfolio will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

The following table reflects the contractual advisory fee and the maximum expense ratios for the Portfolio.

Contractual Rate of Advisory Fees

  Expense
Cap
Class I
  Expense
Cap
Class A
  Expense
Cap
Class L
  Expense
Cap
Class IS
 

0.65% of the portion of the daily net assets.

 

0.95

%

 

1.30

%

 

1.80

%

 

0.90

%

 

The Agreement continues for successive one year periods, only if each renewal is specifically approved by an in-person vote of the Fund's Board, including the affirmative votes of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval. In addition, the question of continuance of the Agreement may be presented to the shareholders of the Fund; in such event, continuance shall be effected only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio of the Fund. If the holders of the Portfolio fail to approve the Agreement, the Adviser may continue to serve as investment adviser to the Portfolio which approved the Agreement, and to the Portfolio which did not approve the Agreement until new arrangements have been made. The Agreement is automatically terminated if assigned, and may be terminated by the Portfolio without the payment of any penalty, at any time, (1) by vote of a majority of the entire Board or (2) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser or (3) by the Adviser without the payment of any penalty, upon 90 days' written notice to the Fund.

The Fund bears all of its own costs and expenses, including but not limited to: services of its independent accountants, its administrator and dividend disbursing and transfer agent, legal counsel, taxes, insurance premiums, costs incidental to meetings of its shareholders and Trustees, the cost of filing its registration statements under federal and state securities laws, reports to shareholders, and custodian fees. These Fund expenses are, in turn, allocated to each Portfolio, based on their relative net assets. Each Portfolio bears its own advisory fees and brokerage commissions and transfer taxes in connection with the acquisition and disposition of its investment securities.

Principal Underwriter

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, with its principal office at 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036, distributes the shares of the Fund. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent of the Fund, agrees to use its best efforts as sole distributor of the Fund's shares. The Distribution Agreement continues in effect so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the Fund's Board, including a majority of those Trustees who are not parties to such Distribution Agreement nor interested persons of any such party. The Distribution Agreement provides that the Fund will bear the costs of the registration of its shares with the SEC and various states and the printing of its prospectuses, statements of additional information and reports to shareholders.

Fund Administration

The Adviser also serves as Administrator to the Fund pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated as of November 1, 2004 (the "Administration Agreement"). For its services under the


55



Administration Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a monthly fee which on an annual basis equals 0.08% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio. The Adviser may compensate other service providers for performing shareholder servicing and administrative services.

Sub-Administrator. 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 administrative fee the Administrator receives from the Fund. The Administrator supervises and monitors the administrative and accounting services provided by State Street. Their services are also subject to the supervision of the officers and Board of Trustees of the Fund.

Custodian

State Street, located at One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2101, serves as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian holds cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act.

Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169-0953, serves as the Fund's Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.

Portfolio Managers

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

Because the portfolio managers may 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 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 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 Adviser's employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans. The portfolio manager may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others. If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the 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 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

Morgan Stanley's compensation structure is based on a total reward system of base salary and Incentive Compensation which is paid partially as a cash bonus and partially as mandatory deferred compensation. Deferred compensation may be granted as deferred cash under the Adviser's Investment Management Alignment Plan ("IMAP"), as an equity-based award or it may be granted under other plans as determined annually by Morgan Stanley's Compensation, Management Development and Succession Committee subject to vesting and other conditions.

Base salary compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.

Incentive compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary year-end compensation.

Incentive compensation may include:

•  Cash Bonus.

•  Deferred Compensation:

•  A mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other plans that are subject to vesting and other conditions.


56



•  IMAP is a mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation and notionally invests it in designated funds advised by the 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 Portfolio.

All deferred compensation awards are subject to clawback provisions where awards can be cancelled, in whole or in part, if an employee takes any action, or omits to take any action which: causes a restatement of Morgan Stanley's consolidated financial results; constitutes a violation by the portfolio manager of Morgan Stanley's Global Risk Management Principles, Policies and Standards; or constitutes violation of internal risk and control policies involving a subsequent loss.

Several factors determine discretionary compensation, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances. These factors include:

•  Revenues generated by the investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

•  The investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

•  Contribution to the business objectives of the 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.

Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers at December 31, 2014:

    Other Registered
Investment Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
 

Other Accounts

 

Portfolio Managers

  Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets
in the Accounts
  Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets
in the Accounts
  Number of
Accounts
  Total Assets
in the Accounts
 
Cyril Moullé-Berteaux    

3

    $1.1 billion    

3

    $8.8 billion    

10

    $5.4 billion(1)  
Mark Bavoso    

3

    $1.1 billion    

0

   

$

0

     

9

    $5.3 billion(1)  
Sergei Parmenov    

2

    $701.6 million    

3

    $8.8 billion    

9

    $5.3 billion(1)  

(1)  Of these other accounts, three accounts with a total of approximately $2.2 billion in assets had performance-based fees.

Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers

As of the date of this SAI, the portfolio managers do not own any securities of the Portfolio.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP, located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116-5021, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund and audits the annual financial statements of the Portfolio.

Fund Counsel

Dechert LLP, located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, acts as the Fund's legal counsel.

Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

The Board of Trustees believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. As such, the Trustees have delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to MSIM.

A copy of MSIM's Proxy Voting Policy ("Proxy Policy") is attached hereto as Appendix A. In addition, a copy of the Proxy Policy, as well as the Fund's most recent proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, as filed with the SEC, are available without charge on our web site at www.morganstanley.com/im. The Fund's proxy voting record is also available without charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.


57



DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLANS

Class A and Class L

The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan for Class A shares (the "Class A Plan") and a Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan for Class L shares (the "Class L Plan"), each pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (together, the "Plans"). The Plans provide that the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may pay the Distributor and other affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers, financial institutions and/or intermediaries an annualized service fee of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to Class A shares and Class L shares, as applicable. This service fee is for providing "personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts" as provided for in Section 2830(b)(9) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") Conduct Rules, including (i) expenditures for overhead and other expenses of the Distributor and other affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers, (ii) telephone and other communications expenses relating to the provision of shareholder services and (iii) compensation to and expenses of financial advisors and other employees of the Distributor and other affiliated and unaffiliated broker-dealers for the provision of shareholder services. In addition, the Class L Plan provides that the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, may pay the Distributor an annualized distribution fee of up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio attributable to Class L shares. The Distributor may direct that all or any part of these fees be paid directly to its affiliates or other broker-dealers, financial institutions and/or intermediaries that provide shareholder services.

The Plans were approved by the Fund's Board of Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, none of whom has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related thereto.

Revenue Sharing

This section applies only to Class I, Class A and Class L shares of the Portfolio.

The Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay compensation, out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Portfolio, to certain affiliated and unaffiliated brokers, dealers and other financial intermediaries, including recordkeepers and administrators of various deferred compensation plans ("Intermediaries"), in connection with the sale, distribution, marketing and retention of shares of the Portfolio and/or shareholder servicing. For example, the Adviser or the Distributor may pay additional compensation to an Intermediary for, among other things, promoting the sale and distribution of Portfolio shares, providing access to various programs, mutual fund platforms or preferred or recommended mutual fund lists that may be offered by an Intermediary, granting the Distributor access to an Intermediary's financial advisors and consultants, providing assistance in the ongoing education and training of an Intermediary's financial personnel, furnishing marketing support, maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, recordkeeping, administrative, shareholder, or transaction processing services. Such payments are in addition to any shareholder servicing fees and/or transfer agency fees that may be payable by the Portfolio. The additional payments are generally based on current assets, but may also be based on other measures as determined from time to time by the Adviser and/or the Distributor (e.g., gross sales or number of accounts). The amount of these payments may be different for different Intermediaries.

With respect to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, these payments currently include the following amounts, which are paid in accordance with the applicable compensation structure:

(1)  an ongoing annual fee in an amount equal to $550,000 in consideration of the Distributor's participation at various Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC events, including seminars, conferences and meetings as determined by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC;

(2)  an ongoing annual fee in an amount equal to $200,000 in consideration of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC providing the Adviser with access to distribution analytical data in relation to sales of the Portfolio and other Morgan Stanley Funds;

(3)  on Class A and Class L shares of the Portfolio held in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC brokerage accounts, an ongoing annual fee, payable quarterly, in an amount equal to 0.16% of the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period;

(4)  on Class I shares of the Portfolio held in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC brokerage accounts, where each such account holds $5 million or more in Class I shares of the Portfolio, an ongoing annual fee, payable quarterly, in an amount up to 35% of the advisory fee the Adviser receives from the Portfolio based on the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period;


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(5)  on new referrals of $5 million or more, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, under extraordinary circumstances, may receive an agreed upon one-time payment in an amount not to exceed 0.68% of the actual amount invested; and

(6)  on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares (for which no initial sales charge was paid), Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC may, at the discretion of the Distributor, receive a gross sales credit of up to 1.00%.*

With respect to other Intermediaries, these payments currently include the following amounts, which are paid in accordance with the applicable compensation structure for each Intermediary:

(1)  on Class A, Class I and Class L shares of the Portfolio held in brokerage accounts only, a ticket charge of up to $10.00;

(2)  on Class A, Class I and Class L shares of the Portfolio held in Intermediary brokerage and/or advisory program accounts, an ongoing annual fee, payable quarterly, in an amount up to 0.15% of the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period;

(3)  an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.25% on sales of Class A, Class I and Class L shares of the Portfolio through a Financial Intermediary's brokerage accounts; and

(4)  on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares (for which no initial sales charge was paid), Intermediaries may, at the discretion of the Distributor, receive a gross sales credit of up to 1.00%.*

The prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation as described above by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other Intermediaries may provide Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other Intermediaries and their financial advisors and other salespersons with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Portfolio over other investment options with respect to which Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other Intermediaries do not receive additional compensation (or receives lower levels of additional compensation). These payment arrangements, however, will not change the price that an investor pays for shares of the Portfolio or the amount that the Portfolio receives to invest on behalf of an investor. Investors may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when considering and evaluating any recommendations relating to Portfolio shares and should review carefully any disclosure provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and other Intermediaries as to their compensation.

BROKERAGE PRACTICES

Portfolio Transactions

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Portfolio, for broker-dealer selection and for negotiation of commission rates. The Adviser is prohibited from directing brokerage transactions on the basis of the referral of clients or the sale of shares of advised investment companies. Purchases and sales of securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. In the OTC market, securities may be traded as agency transactions through broker dealers or traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriter, generally referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount. When securities are purchased or sold directly from or to an issuer, no commissions or discounts are paid.

On occasion, the Portfolio may purchase certain money market instruments directly from an issuer without payment of a commission or concession. Money market instruments are generally traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer.

*  Commissions or transaction fees paid when Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other Intermediaries initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more are computed on a percentage of the dollar value of such shares sold as follows: 1.00% on sales of $1 million to $4 million, plus 0.50% on sales over $4 million to $15 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $15 million. Purchases of Class A shares for which no initial sales charge is paid are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") of 1% if the redemption of such shares occurs within 18 months after purchase. The full amount of such CDSC will be retained by the Distributor.


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The Fund anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign securities will be effected on securities exchanges. Fixed commissions on such transactions are generally higher than negotiated commissions on domestic transactions. There is also generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges and brokers than in the United States.

The Adviser serves as investment adviser to a number of clients, including other investment companies. The Adviser attempts to equitably allocate purchase and sale transactions among the portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts. To that end, the Adviser considers various factors, including respective investment objectives, relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, availability of cash for investment, size of investment commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for managing the portfolios of the Fund and other client accounts.

The Adviser selects the brokers or dealers that will execute the purchases and sales of investment securities for the Portfolio. The Adviser effects transactions with those broker-dealers that it believes provide prompt execution of orders in an effective manner at the most favorable prices. The Adviser may place portfolio transactions with those brokers and dealers who also furnish research and other services to the Fund and/or the Adviser. Services provided may include certain research services (as described below), as well as effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance, settlement and custody).

The Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers have established commission sharing arrangements under a commission management program (the "Commission Management Program" or "CMP"), pursuant to which execution and research costs or a portion of those costs are decoupled in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Under the CMP, the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers select approved equity brokers (which include the Adviser's affiliates) for execution services and after accumulation of commissions at such brokers, the Adviser and/or its affiliated investment advisers instruct these approved equity brokers to pay for eligible research provided by any executing brokers or third-party research providers on MSIM's and its affiliated investment advisers' Approved Research Provider List, which are selected independently by a Research Services Committee of the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers. Generally, the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers will direct the approved equity broker to record research credits based upon a previously agreed-upon allocation and will periodically instruct the approved equity broker to direct specified dollar amounts from that pool to pay for eligible research services provided by third-party research providers and executing brokers. The research credits are pooled among the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers and allocated on behalf of both the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers. Likewise, the research services obtained under the CMP are shared among the Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers.

Selection of approved equity brokers for execution is based on three main criteria: access to liquidity, provision of capital and quality of execution. Under the CMP, each approved equity broker is responsible for the payment of fees for research services and obtains the research services pursuant to written agreements between the approved equity broker and the third-party research provider.

For those costs not decoupled, but retained by broker-dealers, the Adviser also effects transactions with brokers which directly pay for research services provided by those brokers in accordance with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act. Such transactions include equity transactions and may include fixed-income transactions effected on an agency basis.

Transactions involving client accounts managed by two or more affiliated investment advisers may be aggregated and executed using the services of broker-dealers that provide third-party benefits/research so long as: (i) all client accounts involved in the transaction benefit from one or more of the services offered by such broker-dealer; and (ii) each affiliated investment adviser has approved the use of such broker-dealer and the services provided thereby.

The research services received include those of the nature described above and other services which aid the Adviser in fulfilling its investment decision making responsibilities, including (a) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; and (b) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Where a particular item (such as proxy services) has both research and non-research related uses, the Adviser will make a reasonable allocation of the cost of the item between research and non-research uses and will only pay for the portion of the cost allocated


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to research uses with client brokerage transactions. Research services furnished or paid for by brokers through whom the Adviser effects transactions for a particular account may be used by the Adviser or its affiliated investment advisers in servicing their other accounts, and not all such services may be used for the benefit of the client which pays the brokerage commission which results in the receipt of such research services. Commissions paid to brokers providing research services may be higher than those charged by brokers not providing services.

The Adviser and its affiliated investment advisers make a good faith determination of the value of research services in accordance with Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act, UK Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority Rules and other relevant regulatory requirements.

Certain investment professionals and other employees of the Adviser are also officers of affiliated investment advisers and may provide investment advisory services to clients of such affiliated investment advisers. The Adviser's personnel also provide research and trading support to personnel of certain affiliated investment advisers. Research related costs may be shared by affiliated investment advisers and may benefit the clients of such affiliated investment advisers. Research services that benefit the Adviser may be received in connection with commissions generated by clients of its affiliated investment advisers. Similarly, research services received in connection with commissions generated by the Adviser's clients may benefit affiliated investment advisers and their clients. Moreover, research services provided by broker-dealers through which the Adviser effects transactions for a particular account may be used by the Adviser and/or an affiliated investment adviser in servicing its other accounts and not all such research services may be used for the benefit of the particular client, which pays the brokerage commission giving rise to the receipt of such research services.

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates currently serve as an investment adviser to a number of clients, including other investment companies, and may in the future act as investment adviser to others. It is the practice of the Adviser, and its affiliates, to cause purchase and sale transactions (including transactions in certain initial and secondary public offerings) to be allocated among clients whose assets they manage (including the Fund) in such manner they deem equitable. In making such allocations among the Fund and other client accounts, various factors may be considered, including the respective investment objectives, the relative size of portfolio holdings of the same or comparable securities, the availability of cash for investment, the size of investment commitments generally held and the opinions of the persons responsible for managing the Fund and other client accounts. The Adviser and its affiliates may operate one or more order placement facilities and each facility will implement order allocation in accordance with the procedures described above. From time to time, each facility may transact in a security at the same time as other facilities are trading in that security.

Affiliated Brokers

Subject to the overriding objective of obtaining the best execution of orders, the Fund may use broker-dealer affiliates of the Adviser to effect Portfolio brokerage transactions, including transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts, under procedures adopted by the Fund's Board of Trustees. In order to use such affiliates, the commission rates and other remuneration paid to the affiliates must be fair and reasonable in comparison to those of other broker-dealers for comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold during a comparable time period. This standard would allow the affiliated broker or dealer to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker.

Pursuant to orders issued by the SEC, the Fund is permitted to engage in principal transactions, subject to certain conditions, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a broker-dealer affiliated with the Fund's Adviser.

Portfolio Turnover

The Portfolio generally does not invest for short-term trading purposes; however, when circumstances warrant, the Portfolio may sell investment securities without regard to the length of time they have been held. Market conditions in a given year could result in a higher or lower portfolio turnover rate than expected and the Portfolio will not consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions consistent with its investment objective and policies. Higher portfolio turnover (e.g., over 100%) necessarily will cause the Portfolio to pay correspondingly increased brokerage and trading costs. In addition to transaction costs, higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of capital gains. As discussed under "Taxes," to the extent net short-term capital gains are realized, any distributions resulting from such gains are considered ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.


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GENERAL INFORMATION

Fund History

Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust is an open-end, management investment company established under Pennsylvania law as a Pennsylvania business trust under an Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated November 18, 1993 as further Amended and Restated on August 24, 2006 (the "Declaration of Trust"). The Fund was originally established as The MAS Pooled Trust Fund, a Pennsylvania business trust, in February 1984. Each of the Portfolios are diversified. No portfolio of the Fund is subject to the liabilities of any other portfolio of the Fund.

Description of Shares and Voting Rights

The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, without par value, from an unlimited number of series of shares. Currently, the Fund consists of nine Portfolios.

The shares of each portfolio of the Fund are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below, and have no preference as to conversion, exchange, dividends, retirement or other features. The shares of each portfolio of the Fund have no preemptive rights. The shares of the Fund have non-cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of Trustees can elect 100% of the Trustees if they choose to do so. A shareholder of a class is entitled to one vote for each full class share held (and a fractional vote for each fractional class share held) in the shareholder's name on the books of the Fund. Shareholders of a class have exclusive voting rights regarding any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class of shares (such as a service agreement relating to that class), and separate voting rights on any other matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of the shareholders of that class differ from the interests of holders of any other class.

Meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable law. A meeting will be held to vote on the removal of a Trustee or Trustees of the Fund if requested in writing by the holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund will assist in shareholder communication in such matters to the extent required by law.

Dividends and Capital Gains Distributions

The Fund's policy is to distribute substantially all of the Portfolio's net investment income, if any, together with any net realized capital gains in the amount and at the times that will avoid both income (including capital gains) taxes on it and the imposition of the federal excise tax on undistributed income and capital gains. The amounts of any income dividends or capital gains distributions cannot be predicted.

Any dividend or distribution paid shortly after the purchase of shares of the Portfolio by an investor may have the effect of reducing the per share NAV of the Portfolio by the per share amount of the dividend or distribution. Furthermore, such dividends or distributions, although in effect a return of capital, are subject to income taxes.

As set forth in the Prospectus, unless the shareholder elects otherwise in writing, all dividends and capital gains distributions for a class of shares are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the same class of the Portfolio at NAV (as of the business day following the record date). This automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will remain in effect until the shareholder notifies the Fund by telephone or in writing that either the Income Option (income dividends in cash and capital gain distributions reinvested in shares at NAV) or the Cash Option (both income dividends and capital gains distributions in cash) has been elected. It may take up to three business days to effect this change. An account statement is sent to shareholders whenever a dividend or distribution is paid.

Each portfolio of the Fund is treated as a separate entity (and hence, as a separate "regulated investment company") for federal tax purposes. Any net capital gains recognized by the Portfolio are distributed to its investors without need to offset (for federal income tax purposes) such gains against any net capital losses of another Portfolio.

Undistributed net investment income is included in the Portfolio's net assets for the purpose of calculating NAV. Therefore, on the ex-dividend date, the NAV excludes the dividend (i.e., is reduced by the per share amount of the dividend). Dividends paid shortly after the purchase of shares by an investor, although in effect a return of capital, are taxable as ordinary income.


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Certain mortgage securities may provide for periodic or unscheduled payments of principal and interest as the mortgages underlying the securities are paid or prepaid. However, such principal payments (not otherwise characterized as original issue discount or bond premium expense) will not normally be considered as income to the Portfolio and therefore will not be distributed as dividends. Rather, these payments on MBS will be reinvested on your behalf by the Portfolio.

Shareholder and Trustee Liability

Under Pennsylvania law, shareholders of a trust such as the Fund may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. The Fund's Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the Trustees, but this disclaimer may not be effective in some jurisdictions or as to certain types of claims. The Declaration of Trust further provides for indemnification out of the Fund's property of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides that the Fund shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of the Fund and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations.

Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may also authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives and policies and share purchase, redemption and net asset valuation procedures) with such preferences, privileges, limitations and voting and dividend rights as the Trustees may determine. All consideration received by the Fund for shares of any additional series or class, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series or class (subject only to the rights of creditors of the Fund) and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Pursuant to the 1940 Act shareholders of any additional series or class of shares would normally have to approve the adoption of any advisory contract relating to such series or class and of any changes in the investment policies relating thereto.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office.

TAXES

The following is only a summary of certain additional federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Fund, the Portfolio and its shareholders. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the federal, state or local tax treatment of the Fund, the Portfolio or shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.

The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

Each portfolio of the Fund is generally treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. Thus, the provisions of the Code generally will be applied to the Portfolio separately, rather than to the Fund as a whole.

Regulated Investment Company Qualification

The Portfolio intends to qualify and elect to be treated for each taxable year as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to so qualify, the Portfolio must, among other things, (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, and other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, including, generally, certain gains from options, futures and forward contracts; and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter of the Portfolio's taxable year, (a) at least 50% of the market value of the Portfolio's total assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S.


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government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets or 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets are invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses. For purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described above, foreign currency gains will generally be treated as qualifying income under current federal income tax law. However, the Code expressly provides the U.S. Treasury with authority to issue regulations that would exclude foreign currency gains from qualifying income if such gains are not directly related to a RIC's business of investing in stock or securities (or options or futures with respect to stocks or securities). While to date the U.S. Treasury has not exercised this regulatory authority, there can be no assurance that it will not issue regulations in the future (possibly with retroactive application) that would treat some or all of the Portfolio's foreign currency gains as non-qualifying income.

For purposes of the 90% test described above, dividends received by the Portfolio will be treated as qualifying income to the extent they are attributable to the issuer's current and accumulated earnings and profits. Distributions in excess of the distributing issuer's current and accumulated earnings and profits will first reduce the Portfolio's basis in the stock as a return of capital and will not qualify as gross income. Distributions in excess of the Portfolio's basis in the stock will qualify for the 90% test discussed above as the distribution will be treated as gain from the sale of stock. This gain will be long-term capital gain if the Portfolio held the stock for more than a year.

For purposes of the diversification requirement described above, the Portfolio will not be treated as in violation of such requirement as a result of a discrepancy between the value of its various investments and the diversification percentages described above, unless such discrepancy exists immediately following the acquisition of any security or other property and is wholly or partly the result of such acquisition. Moreover, even in the event of noncompliance with the diversification requirement as of the end of any given quarter, the Portfolio is generally permitted to cure the violation by eliminating the discrepancy causing such noncompliance within a period of 30 days from the close of the relevant quarter.

Net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership," as defined in the Code, will be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the income requirement in clause (i) above. In addition, for the purposes of the diversification requirements in clause (ii) above, the outstanding voting securities of any issuer includes the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership, and no more than 25% of the value of a RIC's total assets may be invested in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships. The separate treatment for publicly traded partnerships under the passive loss rules of the Code applies to a RIC holding an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership, with respect to items attributable to such interest.

The Portfolio may make certain investments indirectly though one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such entities will generally be required to pay U.S. corporate income tax, and possibly other taxes, on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce the Portfolio's return on income derived from such investments.

In addition to the requirements described above, in order to qualify as a RIC, the Portfolio must distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which generally includes dividends, taxable interest, and the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses less operating expenses) and at least 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, for each tax year, if any, to its shareholders. If the Portfolio meets all of the RIC requirements, it will not be subject to federal income tax on any of its investment company taxable income or capital gains that it distributes to shareholders.

If the Portfolio fails to qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, all of its net income will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates (whether or not distributed to shareholders), and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) will be taxable as income dividends to its shareholders to the extent of the Portfolio's current and accumulated earnings and profits, and will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and for treatment as qualified dividend income, in the case of individual shareholders. If the Portfolio fails to satisfy either the income test or asset diversification test described above, in certain cases, however, the Portfolio may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the Internal Revenue Service, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax or penalty.


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General Tax Treatment of Qualifying RICs and Shareholders

The Portfolio intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income (including, for this purpose, net short-term capital gains) to shareholders. Dividends from the Portfolio's net investment income generally are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income, whether received in cash or in additional shares. Certain income distributions paid by the Portfolio to individual shareholders are taxed at rates equal to those applicable to net long-term capital gains (currently either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual's income exceeds certain threshold amounts). This tax treatment applies only if certain holding period requirements are satisfied by the shareholder and the dividends are attributable to qualified dividends received by the Portfolio itself. For this purpose, "qualified dividends" means dividends received by the Portfolio from certain U.S. corporations and qualifying foreign corporations, provided that the Portfolio satisfies certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the stock of such corporations. Distributions received from REITs are generally comprised of ordinary income dividends and capital gains dividends, which are generally passed along to shareholders retaining the same character and are subject to tax accordingly, as described above. In the case of securities lending transactions, payments in lieu of dividends are not qualified dividends. Dividends received by the Portfolio from REITs are qualified dividends eligible for this lower tax rate only in limited circumstances.

A dividend paid by the Portfolio to a shareholder will not be treated as qualified dividend income of the shareholder if (1) the dividend is received with respect to any share held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property or (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest.

You should also be aware that the benefits of the reduced tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income may be impacted by the application of the alternative minimum tax to individual shareholders.

Dividends paid to you out of the Portfolio's investment company taxable income that are not attributable to qualified dividends generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income (currently at a maximum federal income tax rate of 39.6% in the case of an individual shareholder and 35% in the case of a corporate shareholder) to the extent of the Portfolio's earnings and profits.

Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has held the Portfolio's shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in additional shares or in cash. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual's income exceeds certain threshold amounts.

The Portfolio will decide whether to distribute or to retain all or part of any net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) in any year for reinvestment. Distributions of net capital gains are taxable to shareholders as a long-term capital gain regardless of how long shareholders have held their shares. The Portfolio will send reports annually to shareholders regarding the federal income tax status of all distributions made for the preceding year. To the extent such amounts include distributions received from a REIT, they may be based on estimates and be subject to change as REITs do not always have the information available by the time these reports are due and can recharacterize certain amounts after the end of the tax year. As a result, the final character and amount of distributions may differ from that initially reported. If any capital gains are retained, the Portfolio will pay federal income tax thereon, and, if the Portfolio makes an election, the shareholders will include such undistributed gains in their income, and will increase their tax basis in Portfolio shares by the difference between the amount of the includable gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder in respect of such shares. The shareholder will be able to claim their share of the tax paid by the Portfolio as a refundable credit.

Shareholders generally are taxed on any ordinary dividend or capital gain distributions from the Portfolio in the year they are actually distributed. However, if any such dividends or distributions are declared in October, November or December, to shareholders of record of such month and paid in January, then such amounts will be treated for tax purposes as received by the shareholders on December 31.

Although income received on direct U.S. Government obligations is taxable at the federal level, such income may be exempt from state tax, depending on the state, when received by a shareholder. The Portfolio will inform


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shareholders annually of the percentage of income and distributions derived from direct U.S. Government obligations. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine whether any portion of dividends received from the Portfolio is considered tax exempt in their particular states.

The Portfolio may invest a portion of its net assets in below investment grade instruments. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Portfolio. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Portfolio to the extent necessary in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income such that it does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

After the end of each calendar year, shareholders will be sent information on their dividends and capital gain distributions for tax purposes, including the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as long-term capital gains, and the amount of any dividends eligible for the federal dividends received deduction for corporations.

Gains or losses on the sale of securities by the Portfolio held as a capital asset will generally be long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have a tax holding period of more than one year at the time of such sale. Gains or losses on the sale of securities with a tax holding period of one year or less will be short-term capital gains or losses. Special tax rules described below may change the normal treatment of gains and losses recognized by the Portfolio when it makes certain types of investments. Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term and may result in ordinary income or loss rather than character of distributions made by the Portfolio.

A gain or loss realized by a shareholder on the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Portfolio held as a capital asset will be capital gain or loss, and such gain or loss will be long-term if the holding period for the shares exceeds one year and otherwise will be short-term. Any loss realized on a sale, exchange or redemption of shares of the Portfolio will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced with substantially identical shares within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. Any loss realized by a shareholder on the disposition of shares held six months or less is treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains received by the shareholder with respect to such shares or any inclusion of undistributed capital gain with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may otherwise be limited under the Code.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person's "modified adjusted gross income" (in the case of an individual) or "adjusted gross income" (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

The Portfolio (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and furnish to Portfolio shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO ("first-in, first out") or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, the Portfolio will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012. If average cost is used for the first sale of Portfolio shares covered by these new rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Portfolio shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.

The Portfolio will generally be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it fails to distribute by the end of any calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for that year (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) and 98.2% of its capital gain net income (the excess of short- and long-term capital gains over short- and long-term capital losses, including any available capital loss carryforwards) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year, plus certain other amounts. The Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions or deemed distributions of its ordinary income and capital gain net income,


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prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid liability for federal excise tax, but can give no assurances that all such liability will be eliminated.

The Fund may be required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury an amount equal to 28% of any dividends, capital gains distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual or certain other noncorporate shareholder (i) who has failed to provide a correct taxpayer identification number (generally an individual's social security number or non-individual's employer identification number) on the New Account Application; (ii) who is subject to backup withholding as notified by the IRS; or (iii) who has not certified to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding. This backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts withheld would be sent to the IRS as an advance payment of taxes due on a shareholder's income for such year.

The Fund may make investments in which it recognizes income or gain prior to receiving cash with respect to such investment. For example, under certain tax rules, the Fund may be required to accrue a portion of any discount at which certain securities are purchased as income each year even though the Fund receives no payments in cash on the security during the year. To the extent that the Fund makes such investments, it generally would be required to pay out such income or gain as a distribution in each year to avoid taxation at the Fund level. Such distributions will be made from the available cash of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities if necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates the liquidation of portfolio securities, the Adviser will select which securities to sell. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, the Fund and consequently its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.

Special Rules for Certain Foreign Currency and Derivatives Transactions

In general, gains from foreign currencies and from foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and forward foreign exchange contracts relating to investments in stock, securities or foreign currencies are currently considered to be qualifying income for purposes of determining whether the Portfolio qualifies as a RIC.

Under Section 988 of the Code, special rules are provided for certain transactions in a foreign currency other than the taxpayer's functional currency (i.e., unless certain special rules apply, currencies other than the U.S. dollar). In general, foreign currency gains or losses from forward contracts, from futures contracts that are not "regulated futures contracts," and from unlisted options will be treated as ordinary income or loss under Section 988 of the Code. Also, certain foreign exchange gains or losses derived with respect to foreign fixed income securities are also subject to Section 988 treatment. In general, therefore, Section 988 gains or losses will increase or decrease the amount of the Portfolio's investment company taxable income available to be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income, rather than increasing or decreasing the amount of the Portfolio's net capital gain.

The Portfolio's investment in options, swaps and related transactions, futures contracts and forward contracts, options on futures contracts and stock indices and certain other securities, including transactions involving actual or deemed short sales or foreign exchange gains or losses are subject to many complex and special tax rules. For example, OTC options on debt securities and equity options, including options on stock and on narrow-based stock indices, will be subject to tax under Section 1234 of the Code, generally producing a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss upon exercise, lapse or closing out of the option or sale of the underlying stock or security. By contrast, the Portfolio's treatment of certain other options, futures and forward contracts entered into by the Portfolio is generally governed by Section 1256 of the Code. These "Section 1256" positions generally include listed options on debt securities, options on broad based stock indices, options on securities indices, options on futures contracts, regulated futures contracts and certain foreign currency contracts and options thereon.

When the Portfolio holds options or futures contracts which substantially diminish their risk of loss with respect to other positions (as might occur in some hedging transactions), this combination of positions could be treated as a "straddle" for tax purposes, resulting in possible deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding periods of Portfolio securities and conversion of short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. Certain tax elections exist for mixed straddles (i.e., straddles comprised of at least one Section 1256 position and at least one non-Section 1256 position) which may reduce or eliminate the operation of these straddle rules.

A Section 1256 position held by the Portfolio will generally be marked-to-market (i.e., treated as if it were sold for fair market value) on the last business day of the Fund's fiscal year, and all gain or loss associated with


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fiscal year transactions and mark-to-market positions at fiscal year end (except certain currency gain or loss covered by Section 988 of the Code) will generally be treated as 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. The effect of Section 1256 mark-to-market rules may be to accelerate income or to convert what otherwise would have been long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains or short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses within the Portfolio. The acceleration of income on Section 1256 positions may require the Portfolio to accrue taxable income without the corresponding receipt of cash. In order to generate cash to satisfy the distribution requirements of the Code, the Portfolio may be required to dispose of portfolio securities that it otherwise would have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources. Any or all of these rules may, therefore, affect the amount, character and timing of income earned and, in turn, distributed to shareholders by the Portfolio.

Special Tax Considerations Relating to Foreign Investments

Gains or losses attributable to foreign currency contracts, or to fluctuations in exchange rates that occur between the time the Portfolio accrues interest or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Portfolio actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities are treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss to the Portfolio. Similarly, gains or losses on disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security and the date of disposition also are treated as ordinary gain or loss to the Portfolio. These gains or losses increase or decrease the amount of the Portfolio's net investment income available to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income.

It is expected that the Portfolio will be subject to foreign withholding taxes with respect to its dividend and interest income from foreign countries, and the Portfolio may be subject to foreign income taxes with respect to other income. If more than 50% in value of the Portfolio's total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to treat certain foreign income taxes imposed on it for federal income tax purposes as paid directly by its shareholders. If the Portfolio is eligible to make this election, the Portfolio will make such an election only if it deems it to be in the best interest of its shareholders and will notify shareholders in writing each year if it makes an election and of the amount of foreign income taxes, if any, to be treated as paid by the shareholders. If the Portfolio makes the election, shareholders will be required to include in income their proportionate share of the amount of foreign income taxes treated as imposed on the Portfolio and will be entitled to claim either a credit (subject to the limitations discussed below) or, if they itemize deductions, a deduction, for their shares of the foreign income taxes in computing their federal income tax liability.

Shareholders who choose to utilize a credit (rather than a deduction) for foreign taxes will be subject to a number of complex limitations regarding the availability and utilization of the credit. Because of these limitations, shareholders may be unable to claim a credit for the full amount of their proportionate shares of the foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular circumstances.

The Portfolio may invest in stocks of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies ("PFICs"). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Portfolio intends to mark-to-market these securities under certain provisions of the Code and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of the Portfolio's fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Portfolio is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. In addition, if the Portfolio is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest on a portion of any "excess distribution" or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders.

Taxes and Foreign Shareholders

Taxation of a shareholder who, as to the United States, is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate, or a foreign corporation ("Foreign Shareholder") depends on whether the income from the Portfolio is "effectively connected" with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such shareholder.


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If the income from the Portfolio is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a Foreign Shareholder, distributions of investment company taxable income will generally be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30% (or such lower treaty rate as may be applicable) upon the gross amount of the dividend. Furthermore, Foreign Shareholders will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on gains realized on the sale of shares of the Portfolio, distributions of net long-term capital gains and amounts retained by the Fund that are reported as undistributed capital gains.

Foreign Shareholders that own, either directly or indirectly, more than 5% of a class of Fund shares, are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning special tax rules that may apply to their investment in Fund shares.

If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a Foreign Shareholder, then distributions from the Portfolio and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents or domestic corporations. In addition, Foreign Shareholders that are corporations may be subject to a branch profit tax.

The Portfolio may be required to withhold federal income tax on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax (or taxable at a reduced treaty rate) unless the Foreign Shareholder complies with IRS certification requirements.

The Portfolio is required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable dividends and (effective January 1, 2017) redemption proceeds and certain capital gain dividends made to certain non-U.S. entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive new reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Portfolio to enable the Portfolio to determine whether withholding is required.

The tax consequences to a Foreign Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described here. Furthermore, Foreign Shareholders are strongly urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the potential application of the provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Estate Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended and the possible applicability of the U.S. estate tax.

State and Local Tax Considerations

Rules of state and local taxation of dividend and capital gains from regulated investment companies often differ from the rules for federal income taxation described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules regarding an investment in the Fund.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of the date of this SAI, no person was known by the Portfolio to own beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding Class I, Class A, Class L or Class IS shares of the Portfolio.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The Portfolio is newly organized. As a result, the Portfolio has no operating history or performance information to include.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

No financial information is presented for the Portfolio because it has not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI.


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APPENDIX A

MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

I. POLICY STATEMENT

Morgan Stanley Investment Management's ("MSIM") policy and procedures for voting proxies ("Policy") with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary investment management services and for which an MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. This Policy is reviewed and updated as necessary to address new and evolving proxy voting issues and standards.

The MSIM entities covered by this Policy currently include the following: Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited and Private Investment Partners Inc. (each an "MSIM Affiliate" and collectively referred to as the "MSIM Affiliates" or as "we" below).

Each MSIM Affiliate will use its best efforts to vote proxies as part of its authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. With respect to the MSIM registered management investment companies (the "MSIM Funds"), each MSIM Affiliate will vote proxies under this Policy pursuant to authority granted under its applicable investment advisory agreement or, in the absence of such authority, as authorized by the Board of Directors/Trustees of the MSIM Funds. A MSIM Affiliate will not vote proxies unless the investment management or investment advisory agreement explicitly authorizes the MSIM Affiliate to vote proxies. MSIM Affiliates will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests of clients, including beneficiaries of and participants in a client's benefit plan(s) for which the MSIM Affiliates manage assets, consistent with the objective of maximizing long-term investment returns ("Client Proxy Standard"). In addition to voting proxies at portfolio companies, MSIM routinely engages with the management or board of companies in which we invest on a range of governance issues. Governance is a window into or proxy for management and board quality. MSIM engages with companies where we believe we can make a positive impact on the governance structure. MSIM's engagement process, through private communication with companies, allows us to understand the governance structure at investee companies and better inform our voting decisions. In certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may provide an MSIM Affiliate with a proxy voting policy. In these situations, the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client's policy.

Proxy Research Services—ISS Governance Services ("ISS") and Glass Lewis (together with other proxy research providers as we may retain from time to time, the "Research Providers") are independent advisers that specialize in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations. While we may review and utilize the recommendations of one or more Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, we are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and recordkeeping services.

Voting Proxies for Certain Non-U.S. Companies—Voting proxies of companies located in some jurisdictions may involve several problems that can restrict or prevent the ability to vote such proxies or entail significant costs. These problems include, but are not limited to: (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in a language other than English; (ii) untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings; (iii) restrictions on the ability of holders outside the issuer's jurisdiction of organization to exercise votes; (iv) requirements to vote proxies in person; (v) the imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting; and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate our voting instructions. As a result, we vote clients' non-U.S. proxies on a best efforts basis only, after weighing the costs and benefits of voting such proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. ISS has been retained to provide assistance in connection with voting non-U.S. proxies.

II. GENERAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

To promotes consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients, we follow this Policy (subject to any exception set forth herein). The Policy addresses a broad range of issues, and provides general voting parameters on proposals that arise most frequently. However, details of specific proposals vary, and those details affect particular voting decisions, as do factors specific to a given company. Pursuant to the procedures set forth herein, we may vote in a manner that is not in accordance with the following general guidelines, provided the vote is approved by the Proxy


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Review Committee (see Section III for description) and is consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP will follow the procedures as described in Appendix A.

We endeavor to integrate governance and proxy voting policy with investment goals, using the vote to encourage portfolio companies to enhance long-term shareholder value and to provide a high standard of transparency such that equity markets can value corporate assets appropriately.

We seek to follow the Client Proxy Standard for each client. At times, this may result in split votes, for example when different clients have varying economic interests in the outcome of a particular voting matter (such as a case in which varied ownership interests in two companies involved in a merger results in different stakes in the outcome). We also may split votes at times based on differing views of portfolio managers.

We may abstain on matters for which disclosure is inadequate.

A. Routine Matters.

We generally support routine management proposals. The following are examples of routine management proposals:

•  Approval of financial statements and auditor reports if delivered with an unqualified auditor's opinion.

•  General updating/corrective amendments to the charter, articles of association or bylaws, unless we believe that such amendments would diminish shareholder rights.

•  Most proposals related to the conduct of the annual meeting, with the following exceptions. We generally oppose proposals that relate to "the transaction of such other business which may come before the meeting," and open-ended requests for adjournment. However, where management specifically states the reason for requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment would facilitate passage of a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this Policy (i.e. an uncontested corporate transaction), the adjournment request will be supported.

We generally support shareholder proposals advocating confidential voting procedures and independent tabulation of voting results.

B. Board of Directors.

1.  Election of directors: Votes on board nominees can involve balancing a variety of considerations. In vote decisions, we may take into consideration whether the company has a majority voting policy in place that we believe makes the director vote more meaningful. In the absence of a proxy contest, we generally support the board's nominees for director except as follows:

a.  We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee if we believe a direct conflict exists between the interests of the nominee and the public shareholders, including failure to meet fiduciary standards of care and/or loyalty. We may oppose directors where we conclude that actions of directors are unlawful, unethical or negligent. We consider opposing individual board members or an entire slate if we believe the board is entrenched and/or dealing inadequately with performance problems; if we believe the board is acting with insufficient independence between the board and management; or if we believe the board has not been sufficiently forthcoming with information on key governance or other material matters.

b.  We consider witholding support from or voting against interested directors if the company's board does not meet market standards for director independence, or if otherwise we believe board independence is insufficient. We refer to prevalent market standards as promulgated by a stock exchange or other authority within a given market (e.g., New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq rules for most U.S. companies, and The Combined Code on Corporate Governance in the United Kingdom). Thus, for an NYSE company with no controlling shareholder, we would expect that at a minimum a majority of directors should be independent as defined by NYSE. Where we view market standards as inadequate, we may withhold votes based on stronger independence standards. Market standards notwithstanding, we generally do not view long board tenure alone as a basis to classify a director as non-independent.

i.  At a company with a shareholder or group that controls the company by virtue of a majority economic interest in the company, we have a reduced expectation for board independence, although we believe the presence of independent directors can be helpful, particularly in staffing the audit committee, and at times we may withhold support from or vote against a nominee on the view the


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board or its committees are not sufficiently independent. In markets where board independence is not the norm (e.g. Japan), however, we consider factors including whether a board of a controlled company includes independent members who can be expected to look out for interests of minority holders.

ii.  We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee if he or she is affiliated with a major shareholder that has representation on a board disproportionate to its economic interest.

c.  Depending on market standards, we consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who is interested and who is standing for election as a member of the company's compensation/renumeration, nominating/governance or audit committee.

d.  We consider withholding support or voting against nominees if the term for which they are nominated is excessive. We consider this issue on a market-specific basis.

e.  We consider withholding support from or voting against nominees if, in our view, there has been insufficient board renewal (turnover), particularly in the context of extended poor company performance.

f.  We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee standing for election if the board has not taken action to implement generally accepted governance practices for which there is a "bright line" test. For example, in the context of the U.S. market, failure to eliminate a dead hand or slow hand poison pill would be seen as a basis for opposing one or more incumbent nominees.

g.  In markets that encourage designated audit committee financial experts, we consider voting against members of an audit committee if no members are designated as such. We also consider voting against the audit committee members if the company has faced financial reporting issues and/or does not put the auditor up for ratification by shareholders.

h.  We believe investors should have the ability to vote on individual nominees, and may abstain or vote against a slate of nominees where we are not given the opportunity to vote on individual nominees.

i.  We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who has failed to attend at least 75% of the nominee's board and board committee meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse. We also consider opposing nominees if the company does not meet market standards for disclosure on attendance.

j.  We consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee who appears overcommitted, particularly through service on an excessive number of boards. Market expectations are incorporated into this analysis; for U.S. boards, we generally oppose election of a nominee who serves on more than six public company boards (excluding investment companies), although we may reference National Association of Corporate Directors guidance suggesting that public company CEOs, for example, should serve no more than two outside boards given the level of time commitment required in their primary job.

2.  Discharge of directors' duties: In markets where an annual discharge of directors' responsibility is a routine agenda item, we generally support such discharge. However, we may vote against discharge or abstain from voting where there are serious findings of fraud or other unethical behavior for which the individual bears responsibility. The annual discharge of responsibility represents shareholder approval of disclosed actions taken by the board during the year and may make future shareholder action against the board difficult to pursue.

3.  Board independence: We generally support U.S. shareholder proposals requiring that a certain percentage (up to 66 2/3%) of the company's board members be independent directors, and promoting all-independent audit, compensation and nominating/governance committees.

4.  Board diversity: We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals urging diversity of board membership with respect to social, religious or ethnic group.

5.  Majority voting: We generally support proposals requesting or requiring majority voting policies in election of directors, so long as there is a carve-out for plurality voting in the case of contested elections.

6.  Proxy access: We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals on particular procedures for inclusion of shareholder nominees in company proxy statements.


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7.  Reimbursement for dissident nominees: We generally support well-crafted U.S. shareholder proposals that would provide for reimbursement of dissident nominees elected to a board, as the cost to shareholders in electing such nominees can be factored into the voting decision on those nominees.

8.  Proposals to elect directors more frequently: In the U.S. public company context, we usually support shareholder and management proposals to elect all directors annually (to "declassify" the board), although we make an exception to this policy where we believe that long-term shareholder value may be harmed by this change given particular circumstances at the company at the time of the vote on such proposal. As indicated above, outside the U.S., we generally support greater accountability to shareholders that comes through more frequent director elections, but recognize that many markets embrace longer term lengths, sometimes for valid reasons given other aspects of the legal context in electing boards.

9.  Cumulative voting: We generally support proposals to eliminate cumulative voting in the U.S. market context. (Cumulative voting provides that shareholders may concentrate their votes for one or a handful of candidates, a system that can enable a minority bloc to place representation on a board.) U.S. proposals to establish cumulative voting in the election of directors generally will not be supported.

10.  Separation of Chairman and CEO positions: We vote on shareholder proposals to separate the Chairman and CEO positions and/or to appoint an independent Chairman based in part on prevailing practice in particular markets, since the context for such a practice varies. In many non-U.S. markets, we view separation of the roles as a market standard practice, and support division of the roles in that context. In the U.S., we consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis, considering, among other things, the existing board leadership structure, company performance, and any other evidence of entrenchment or perceived risk that power is overly concentrated in a single individual.

11.  Director retirement age and term limits: Proposals setting or recommending director retirement ages or director term limits are voted on a case-by-case basis that includes consideration of company performance, the rate of board renewal, evidence of effective individual director evaluation processes, and any indications of entrenchment.

12.  Proposals to limit directors' liability and/or broaden indemnification of officers and directors. Generally, we will support such proposals provided that an individual is eligible only if he or she has not acted in bad faith, with gross negligence or with reckless disregard of his or her duties.

C. Statutory Auditor Boards

The statutory auditor board, which is separate from the main board of directors, plays a role in corporate governance in several markets. These boards are elected by shareholders to provide assurance on compliance with legal and accounting standards and the company's articles of association. We generally vote for statutory auditor nominees if they meet independence standards. In markets that require disclosure on attendance by internal statutory auditors, however, we consider voting against nominees for these positions who failed to attend at least 75% of meetings in the previous year. We also consider opposing nominees if the company does not meet market standards for disclosure on attendance.

D. Corporate Transactions and Proxy Fights.

We examine proposals relating to mergers, acquisitions and other special corporate transactions (i.e., takeovers, spin-offs, sales of assets, reorganizations, restructurings and recapitalizations) on a case-by-case basis in the interests of each fund or other account. Proposals for mergers or other significant transactions that are friendly and approved by the Research Providers usually are supported if there is no portfolio manager objection. We also analyze proxy contests on a case-by-case basis.

E. Changes in Capital Structure.

1.  We generally support the following:

•  Management and shareholder proposals aimed at eliminating unequal voting rights, assuming fair economic treatment of classes of shares we hold.

•  U.S. management proposals to increase the authorization of existing classes of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) if: (i) a clear business purpose is stated that we can support and the number of shares requested is reasonable in relation to the purpose for which authorization is requested; and/or (ii) the authorization does not exceed 100% of shares currently authorized and at least 30% of the total new authorization will be outstanding. (We consider proposals that do not meet these criteria on a case-by-case basis.)


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•  U.S. management proposals to create a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50% of issued capital, unless we have concerns about use of the authority for anti-takeover purposes.

•  Proposals in non-U.S. markets that in our view appropriately limit potential dilution of existing shareholders. A major consideration is whether existing shareholders would have preemptive rights for any issuance under a proposal for standing share issuance authority. We generally consider market-specific guidance in making these decisions; for example, in the U.K. market, we usually follow Association of British Insurers' ("ABI") guidance, although company-specific factors may be considered and for example, may sometimes lead us to voting against share authorization proposals even if they meet ABI guidance.

•  Management proposals to authorize share repurchase plans, except in some cases in which we believe there are insufficient protections against use of an authorization for anti-takeover purposes.

•  Management proposals to reduce the number of authorized shares of common or preferred stock, or to eliminate classes of preferred stock.

•  Management proposals to effect stock splits.

•  Management proposals to effect reverse stock splits if management proportionately reduces the authorized share amount set forth in the corporate charter. Reverse stock splits that do not adjust proportionately to the authorized share amount generally will be approved if the resulting increase in authorized shares coincides with the proxy guidelines set forth above for common stock increases.

•  Management dividend payout proposals, except where we perceive company payouts to shareholders as inadequate.

2.  We generally oppose the following (notwithstanding management support):

•  Proposals to add classes of stock that would substantially dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.

•  Proposals to increase the authorized or issued number of shares of existing classes of stock that are unreasonably dilutive, particularly if there are no preemptive rights for existing shareholders. However, depending on market practices, we consider voting for proposals giving general authorization for issuance of shares not subject to pre-emptive rights if the authority is limited.

•  Proposals that authorize share issuance at a discount to market rates, except where authority for such issuance is de minimis, or if there is a special situation that we believe justifies such authorization (as may be the case, for example, at a company under severe stress and risk of bankruptcy).

•  Proposals relating to changes in capitalization by 100% or more.

We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to increase dividend payout ratios, in light of market practice and perceived market weaknesses, as well as individual company payout history and current circumstances. For example, currently we perceive low payouts to shareholders as a concern at some Japanese companies, but may deem a low payout ratio as appropriate for a growth company making good use of its cash, notwithstanding the broader market concern.

F. Takeover Defenses and Shareholder Rights.

1.  Shareholder rights plans: We generally support proposals to require shareholder approval or ratification of shareholder rights plans (poison pills). In voting on rights plans or similar takeover defenses, we consider on a case-by-case basis whether the company has demonstrated a need for the defense in the context of promoting long-term share value; whether provisions of the defense are in line with generally accepted governance principles in the market (and specifically the presence of an adequate qualified offer provision that would exempt offers meeting certain conditions from the pill); and the specific context if the proposal is made in the midst of a takeover bid or contest for control.

2.  Supermajority voting requirements: We generally oppose requirements for supermajority votes to amend the charter or bylaws, unless the provisions protect minority shareholders where there is a large shareholder. In line with this view, in the absence of a large shareholder we support reasonable shareholder proposals to limit such supermajority voting requirements.

3.  Shareholders right to call meetings: We consider proposals to enhance a shareholder's rights to call a special meeting on a case-by-case basis. At large-cap U.S. companies, we generally support efforts to establish the rights of holders of 10% or more of shares to call special meetings, unless the board or state law has a set policy or law establishing such rights at a threshold that we believe to be acceptable.


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4.  Written consent rights: In the U.S. context, we examine proposals for shareholder written consent rights on a case-by-case basis.

5.  Reincorporation: We consider management and shareholder proposals to reincorporate to a different jurisdiction on a case-by-case basis. We oppose such proposals if we believe the main purpose is to take advantage of laws or judicial precedents that reduce shareholder rights.

6.  Anti-greenmail provisions: Proposals relating to the adoption of anti-greenmail provisions will be supported, provided that the proposal: (i) defines greenmail; (ii) prohibits buyback offers to large block holders (holders of at least 1% of the outstanding shares and in certain cases, a greater amount) not made to all shareholders or not approved by disinterested shareholders; and (iii) contains no anti-takeover measures or other provisions restricting the rights of shareholders.

7.  Bundled proposals: We may consider opposing or abstaining on proposals if disparate issues are "bundled" and presented for a single vote.

G. Auditors.

We generally support management proposals for selection or ratification of independent auditors. However, we may consider opposing such proposals with reference to incumbent audit firms if the company has suffered from serious accounting irregularities and we believe rotation of the audit firm is appropriate, or if fees paid to the auditor for non-audit-related services are excessive. Generally, to determine if non-audit fees are excessive, a 50% test will be applied (i.e., non-audit-related fees should be less than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditor). We generally vote against proposals to indemnify auditors.

H. Executive and Director Remuneration.

1.  We generally support the following:

•  Proposals for employee equity compensation plans and other employee ownership plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest. Such approval may be against shareholder interest if it authorizes excessive dilution and shareholder cost, particularly in the context of high usage ("run rate") of equity compensation in the recent past; or if there are objectionable plan design and provision.

•  Proposals relating to fees to outside directors, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry, and provided that the structure is appropriate within the market context. While stock-based compensation to outside directors is positive if moderate and appropriately structured, we are wary of significant stock option awards or other performance-based awards for outside directors, as well as provisions that could result in significant forfeiture of value on a director's decision to resign from a board (such forfeiture can undercut director independence).

•  Proposals for employee stock purchase plans that permit discounts, but only for grants that are part of a broad-based employee plan, including all non-executive employees, and only if the discounts are limited to a reasonable market standard or less.

•  Proposals for the establishment of employee retirement and severance plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest.

2.  We generally oppose retirement plans and bonuses for non-executive directors and independent statutory auditors.

3.  In the U.S. context, we generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring shareholder approval of all severance agreements, but we generally support proposals that require shareholder approval for agreements in excess of three times the annual compensation (salary and bonus). We generally oppose shareholder proposals that would establish arbitrary caps on pay. We consider on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals that seek to limit Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs), but support such proposals where we consider SERPs to be excessive.

4.  Shareholder proposals advocating stronger and/or particular pay-for-performance models will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with consideration of the merits of the individual proposal within the context of the particular company and its labor markets, and the company's current and past practices. While we generally support emphasis on long-term components of senior executive pay and strong linkage of pay to performance, we consider factors including whether a proposal may be overly prescriptive, and the impact of the proposal, if implemented as written, on recruitment and retention.


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5.  We generally support proposals advocating reasonable senior executive and director stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements for shares gained in executive equity compensation programs

6.  We generally support shareholder proposals for reasonable "claw-back" provisions that provide for company recovery of senior executive bonuses to the extent they were based on achieving financial benchmarks that were not actually met in light of subsequent restatements.

7.  Management proposals effectively to re-price stock options are considered on a case-by-case basis. Considerations include the company's reasons and justifications for a re-pricing, the company's competitive position, whether senior executives and outside directors are excluded, potential cost to shareholders, whether the re-pricing or share exchange is on a value-for-value basis, and whether vesting requirements are extended.

8.  Say-on-Pay: We consider proposals relating to an advisory vote on remuneration on a case-by-case basis. Considerations include a review of the relationship between executive remuneration and performance based on operating trends and total shareholder return over multiple performance periods. In addition, we review remuneration structures and potential poor pay practices, including relative magnitude of pay, discretionary bonus awards, tax gross ups, change-in-control features, internal pay equity and peer group construction. As long-term investors, we support remuneration policies that align with long-term shareholder returns.

I. Social, Political and Environmental Issues. Shareholders in the U.S. and certain other markets submit proposals encouraging changes in company disclosure and practices related to particular corporate, social, political and environmental matters. We consider how to vote on the proposals on a case-by-case basis to determine likely impacts on shareholder value. We seek to balance concerns on reputational and other risks that lie behind a proposal against costs of implementation, while considering appropriate shareholder and management prerogatives. We may abstain from voting on proposals that do not have a readily determinable financial impact on shareholder value. We support proposals that, if implemented, would enhance useful disclosure, but we generally vote against proposals requesting reports that we believe are duplicative, related to matters not material to the business, or that would impose unnecessary or excessive costs. We believe that certain social and environmental shareholder proposals may intrude excessively on management prerogatives, which can lead us to oppose them.

J. Fund of Funds. Certain Funds advised by an MSIM Affiliate invest only in other MSIM Funds. If an underlying fund has a shareholder meeting, in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest, such proposals will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee. Other MSIM Funds invest in unaffiliated funds. If an unaffiliated underlying fund has a shareholder meeting and the MSIM Fund owns more than 25% of the voting shares of the underlying fund, the MSIM Fund will vote its shares in the unaffiliated underlying fund in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders of the underlying fund.

III. ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY

The MSIM Proxy Review Committee (the "Committee") has overall responsibility for the Policy. The Committee, which is appointed by MSIM's Long-Only Executive Committee, consists of investment professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic locations of the firm, and is chaired by the director of the Corporate Governance Team ("CGT"). Because proxy voting is an investment responsibility and impacts shareholder value, and because of their knowledge of companies and markets, portfolio managers and other members of investment staff play a key role in proxy voting, although the Committee has final authority over proxy votes.

The CGT Director is responsible for identifying issues that require Committee deliberation or ratification. The CGT, working with advice of investment teams and the Committee, is responsible for voting on routine items and on matters that can be addressed in line with these Policy guidelines. The CGT has responsibility for voting case-by-case where guidelines and precedent provide adequate guidance.

The Committee will periodically review and have the authority to amend, as necessary, the Policy and establish and direct voting positions consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.

CGT and members of the Committee may take into account Research Providers' recommendations and research as well as any other relevant information they may request or receive, including portfolio manager and/or analyst comments and research, as applicable. Generally, proxies related to securities held in accounts that are managed pursuant to quantitative, index or index-like strategies ("Index Strategies") will be voted in the same manner as those held in actively managed accounts, unless economic interests of the accounts differ. Because accounts managed using Index Strategies are passively managed accounts, research from portfolio managers and/or analysts related to securities held in these accounts may not be available. If the affected securities are held only in accounts that are


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managed pursuant to Index Strategies, and the proxy relates to a matter that is not described in this Policy, the CGT will consider all available information from the Research Providers, and to the extent that the holdings are significant, from the portfolio managers and/or analysts.

A. Committee Procedures

The Committee meets at least quarterly and reviews and considers changes to the Policy at least annually. Through meetings and/or written communications, the Committee is responsible for monitoring and ratifying "split votes" (i.e., allowing certain shares of the same issuer that are the subject of the same proxy solicitation and held by one or more MSIM portfolios to be voted differently than other shares) and/or "override voting" (i.e., voting all MSIM portfolio shares in a manner contrary to the Policy). The Committee will review developing issues and approve upcoming votes, as appropriate, for matters as requested by CGT.

The Committee reserves the right to review voting decisions at any time and to make voting decisions as necessary to ensure the independence and integrity of the votes.

B. Material Conflicts of Interest

In addition to the procedures discussed above, if the CGT Director determines that an issue raises a material conflict of interest, the CGT Director may request a special committee to review, and recommend a course of action with respect to, the conflict(s) in question ("Special Committee").

A potential material conflict of interest could exist in the following situations, among others:

1.  The issuer soliciting the vote is a client of MSIM or an affiliate of MSIM and the vote is on a matter that materially affects the issuer.

2.  The proxy relates to Morgan Stanley common stock or any other security issued by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates except if echo voting is used, as with MSIM Funds, as described herein.

3.  Morgan Stanley has a material pecuniary interest in the matter submitted for a vote (e.g., acting as a financial advisor to a party to a merger or acquisition for which Morgan Stanley will be paid a success fee if completed).

If the CGT Director determines that an issue raises a potential material conflict of interest, depending on the facts and circumstances, the issue will be addressed as follows:

1.  If the matter relates to a topic that is discussed in this Policy, the proposal will be voted as per the Policy.

2.  If the matter is not discussed in this Policy or the Policy indicates that the issue is to be decided case-by-case, the proposal will be voted in a manner consistent with the Research Providers, provided that all the Research Providers consulted have the same recommendation, no portfolio manager objects to that vote, and the vote is consistent with MSIM's Client Proxy Standard.

3.  If the Research Providers' recommendations differ, the CGT Director will refer the matter to a Special Committee to vote on the proposal, as appropriate.

Any Special Committee shall be comprised of the CGT Director and at least two portfolio managers (preferably members of the Committee) as approved by the Committee. The CGT Director may request non-voting participation by MSIM's General Counsel or his/her designee and the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee. In addition to the research provided by Research Providers, the Special Committee may request analysis from MSIM Affiliate investment professionals and outside sources to the extent it deems appropriate.

C. Proxy Voting Reporting

The CGT will document in writing all Committee and Special Committee decisions and actions, which documentation will be maintained by the CGT for a period of at least six years. To the extent these decisions relate to a security held by an MSIM Fund, the CGT will report the decisions to each applicable Board of Trustees/Directors of those Funds at each Board's next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The report will contain information concerning decisions made during the most recently ended calendar quarter immediately preceding the Board meeting.

MSIM will promptly provide a copy of this Policy to any client requesting it. MSIM will also, upon client request, promptly provide a report indicating how each proxy was voted with respect to securities held in that client's account.

MSIM's Legal Department is responsible for filing an annual Form N-PX on behalf of each MSIM Fund for which such filing is required, indicating how all proxies were voted with respect to such Fund's holdings.


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APPENDIX A

The following procedures apply to accounts managed by Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP and Private Investment Partners Inc. ("AIP"): (i) closed-end funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (ii) separate accounts and (iii) unregistered funds.

Generally, AIP will follow the guidelines set forth in Section II of MSIM's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. To the extent that such guidelines do not provide specific direction, or AIP determines that consistent with the Client Proxy Standard, the guidelines should not be followed, the Proxy Review Committee has delegated the voting authority to vote securities held by accounts managed by AIP to the Fund of Hedge Funds investment team, the Private Equity Fund of Funds investment team or the Private Equity Real Estate Fund of Funds investment team of AIP. A summary of decisions made by the investment teams will be made available to the Proxy Review Committee for its information at the next scheduled meeting of the Proxy Review Committee.

In certain cases, AIP may determine to abstain from determining (or recommending) how a proxy should be voted (and therefore abstain from voting such proxy or recommending how such proxy should be voted), such as where the expected cost of giving due consideration to the proxy does not justify the potential benefits to the affected account(s) that might result from adopting or rejecting (as the case may be) the measure in question.

Waiver of Voting Rights

For regulatory reasons, AIP may either 1) invest in a class of securities of an underlying fund (the "Fund") that does not provide for voting rights; or 2) waive 100% of its voting rights with respect to the following:

1.  Any rights with respect to the removal or replacement of a director, general partner, managing member or other person acting in a similar capacity for or on behalf of the Fund (each individually a "Designated Person," and collectively, the "Designated Persons"), which may include, but are not limited to, voting on the election or removal of a Designated Person in the event of such Designated Person's death, disability, insolvency, bankruptcy, incapacity, or other event requiring a vote of interest holders of the Fund to remove or replace a Designated Person; and

2.  Any rights in connection with a determination to renew, dissolve, liquidate, or otherwise terminate or continue the Fund, which may include, but are not limited to, voting on the renewal, dissolution, liquidation, termination or continuance of the Fund upon the occurrence of an event described in the Fund's organizational documents; provided, however, that, if the Fund's organizational documents require the consent of the Fund's general partner or manager, as the case may be, for any such termination or continuation of the Fund to be effective, then AIP may exercise its voting rights with respect to such matter.

Ratified by the Morgan Stanley Funds Board on October 2-3, 2013.


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APPENDIX B — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS

I.  Excerpts from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s Corporate Bond Ratings:

Aaa: Judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk;

Aa: judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk;

A: judged to be upper medium-grade obligations, subject to low credit risk;

Baa: judged to be medium-grade obligations and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics;

Ba: judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk;

B: considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk;

Caa: judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk;

Ca: highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest;

C: the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

II.  Excerpts from Standard & Poor's Rating Group's Corporate Bond Ratings

AAA: Highest rating assigned for an obligation; obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong;

AA: obligation differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree; obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong;

A: obligation is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories; obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong;

BBB: obligation exhibits adequate protection parameters; adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation;

BB, B, CCC, CC, C: obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions;

BB: obligation is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues; it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor's inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation;

B: obligation is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor's capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation;

CCC: obligation is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; in the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation;

CC: obligation is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment; default has not yet occurred, but Standard & Poor's expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default;

C: currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher;


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D: obligation is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor's believes that such payments will be made within five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR: indicates that no rating has been requested, or that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor's does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

III.  Excerpts from Fitch, Inc.'s Corporate Bond Ratings:

AAA: Highest credit quality; denotes the lowest expectation of credit risk; assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very high credit quality; denote expectations of very low credit risk; indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High credit quality; denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good credit quality; indicate that expectations of credit risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

BB: Speculative; indicate an elevated vulnerability to credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

B: Highly speculative; indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk; default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk; default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk; default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

RD: Indicates an issuer that in Fitch's opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased business.

D: Default indicates an issuer that in Fitch Ratings' opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term rating category or to categories below CCC.

IV.  Excerpts from Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s Preferred Stock Ratings:

aaa: An issue which is rated aaa is considered to be a top-quality preferred stock. This rating indicates good asset protection and the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.

aa: An issue which is rated aa is considered a high-grade preferred stock. This rating indicates that there is reasonable assurance that earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in the foreseeable future.

a: An issue which is rated a is considered to be an upper medium-grade preferred stock. While risks are judged to be somewhat greater than in the aaa and aa classifications, earnings and asset protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.


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baa: An issue which is rated baa is considered to be medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be questionable over any great length of time.

ba: an issue which is rated ba is considered to have speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured. Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks in this class.

b: An issue which is rated b generally lacks the characteristics of a desirable investment. Assurance of dividend payments and maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be small.

caa: An issue which is rated caa is likely to be in arrears on dividend payments. This rating designation does not purport to indicate the future status of payments.

ca: An issue which is rated ca is speculative in a high degree and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual payments.

c: This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference stock. Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

Note: Moody's may apply numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating classification. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

V.  Excerpts from Standard & Poor's Rating Group's Preferred Stock Ratings:

AAA: This is the highest rating that may be assigned by S&P to a preferred stock issue and indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations.

AA: A preferred stock issue rated AA also qualifies as a high-quality fixed-income security. The capacity to pay preferred stock obligations is very strong, although not as overwhelming as for issues rated AAA.

A: An issue rated A is backed by a sound capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations, although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions.

BBB: An issue rated BBB is regarded as backed by an adequate capacity to pay the preferred stock obligations. Whereas it normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make payments for a preferred stock in this category than for issues in the A category.

BB, B, CCC: Preferred stock rated BB, B, and CCC are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay preferred stock obligations. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and CCC the highest degree of speculation. While such issues will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties of major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

CC: The rating CC is reserved for a preferred stock in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments but that is currently paying.

C: A preferred stock rated C is a non-paying issue.

D: A preferred stock rated D is a non-paying issue with the issuer in default on debt instruments. Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR: Indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular type of obligation as a matter of policy.

VI.  Excerpts from Fitch, Inc's Preferred Stock Ratings:

AAA: These preferred stocks are considered to be investment grade and of the highest credit quality. The obligor has an exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments, which is unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: These preferred stocks are considered to be investment grade and of very high credit quality. The obligor's capacity for payment of financial commitments is very strong and is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.


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A: These preferred stocks are considered to be investment grade and of high credit quality. The obligor's capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered to be strong, but may be more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances than preferred stocks with higher ratings.

BBB: These preferred stocks are considered to be investment grade and of good credit quality. The obligor's capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered to be adequate. Adverse changes in economic conditions and circumstances, however, are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: These preferred stocks are considered speculative and have an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time. However, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: These preferred stocks are considered highly speculative. While preferred in this class are currently meeting financial commitments, the capacity for continued timely payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: These preferred stocks are considered to have substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC: These preferred stocks are considered to have very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C: These preferred stocks are considered to have exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill.

D: Default indicates an issuer that in Fitch Ratings' opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

"Imminent" default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future. In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency's opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer's financial obligations or local commercial practice.

The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA Long-Term rating category, or to categories below CCC.


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MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL FUND TRUST

PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 28.            EXHIBITS

 

(a)                                                    Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, dated August 24, 2006, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 70 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on November 30, 2006.

 

(b)                                                    Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated July 31, 2003, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 10, 2003.

 

(c)                                                     Not Applicable.

 

(d)              (1)                     Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., dated June 1, 2005, is filed herein.

 

(d)              (2)                     Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 17, 2014, between Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited (relating to the Strategic Income Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 2, 2014.

 

(e)                                                     Distribution Agreement with MAS Fund Distribution, Inc. (now Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.), dated May 31, 1997, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 10, 1998.

 

(f)                                                      Form of Deferred Compensation Plan, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (f) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 88 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on January 28, 2009.

 

(g)                                                     Custody Agreement between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated March 7, 2008, is filed herein.

 

(h)              (1)                     Amended and Restated Administration Agreement with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., dated November 1, 2004, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on February 6, 2012.

 

(2)                       Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated April 1, 2013, is filed herein.

 

(3)                       Amendment to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data  Services, Inc., dated July 1, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, filed on September 26, 2014.

 

(i)                  (1)                     Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated January 28, 2005, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on January 28, 2005.

 

(2)                       Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated January 28, 2005, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on January 28, 2005.

 

(3)                       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated April 26, 2006 (with respect to the Equities Plus Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 26, 2006.

 

(4)                       Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated April 26, 2006 (with respect to the Equities Plus Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 26, 2006.

 

(5)                       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated July 19, 2006 (with respect to the Long Duration Fixed Income Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 19, 2006.

 

(6)                       Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated July 19, 2006 (with respect to the Long Duration Fixed Income Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 19, 2006.

 

(7)                       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated December 21, 2007 (with respect to Class H Shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 21, 2007.

 

(8)                       Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated December 21, 2007 (with respect to Class H Shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 81 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 21, 2007.

 

(9)                       Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated January 30, 2008 (with respect to the Advisory Portfolio II), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on January 30, 2008.

 

(10)                Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated January 30, 2008 (with respect to the Advisory Portfolio II) is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on January 30, 2008.

 

(11)                Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, dated June 3, 2008 (with respect to Class L Shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 3, 2008.

 

(12)                Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated June 3, 2008 (with respect to Class L Shares), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on June 3, 2008.

 

(13)                Opinion of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, dated August 12, 2008 (with respect to the Advisory Portfolio V), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(11) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 12, 2008.

 

(14)                Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated August 12, 2008 (with respect to the Advisory Portfolio V), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(12) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on August 12, 2008.

 

(15)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, dated February 6, 2012 (with respect to the High Yield Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(16) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on February 6, 2012.

 

(16)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, dated April 27, 2012 (with respect to Class H and Class L shares of the Balanced, Core Fixed Income, Core Plus Fixed Income, Limited Duration and Mid Cap Growth Portfolios), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(16) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on April 27, 2012.

 

(17)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, dated July 12, 2013 (with respect to Class IS shares of the Mid Cap Growth Portfolio), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(17) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 112 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on July 12, 2013.

 

(18)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, dated March 25, 2014 (with respect to Class IS shares of the High Yield Portfolio), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(18) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 118 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on March 25, 2014.

 

(19)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP, dated March 25, 2014 (with respect to the Strategic Income Portfolio), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(19) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 121 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed on December 2, 2014.

 

(20)                Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to the Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio), is filed herein.

 

(j)                                                       Not Applicable.

 

(k)                                                    Not Applicable.

 

(l)                                                        Not Applicable.

 

(m)          (1)                     Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan under Rule 12b-1 relating to Class A Shares, is filed herein.

 

(2)                       Amended and Restated Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan under Rule 12b-1 relating to Class L shares, is filed herein.

 

(n)                                                    Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan, is filed herein.

 

(o)                                                    Reserved.

 

(p)              (1)                     Code of Ethics for the Fund is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, as filed on September 30, 2010.

 

(2)                       Code of Ethics for Morgan Stanley Investment Management, dated September 16, 2013, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust, as filed on September 27, 2013.

 

(q)              (1)                     Powers of Attorney of Trustees, dated December 9, 2014, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, filed on December 19, 2014.

 

(2)                       Powers of Attorney for Jakki L. Haussler and Nancy C. Everett, dated January 1, 2015, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc., filed on January 9, 2015.

 

ITEM 29.            PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT

 

Provide a list or diagram of all persons directly or indirectly controlled by or under common control with the Fund. For any person controlled by another person, disclose the percentage of voting securities owned by the immediately controlling person or other basis of that person’s control. For each company, also provide the state or other sovereign power under the laws of which the company is organized.

 

The Fund is not controlled by or under common control with any person.

 

ITEM 30.            INDEMNIFICATION

 

State the general effect of any contract, arrangements or statute under which any director, officer, underwriter or affiliated person of the Fund is insured or indemnified against any liability incurred in their official capacity, other than insurance provided by any director, officer, affiliated person, or underwriter for their own protection.

 

Reference is made to Article VI of Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated July 31, 2003, which is incorporated by reference.

 

Registrant hereby also makes the undertaking consistent with Rule 484 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

2



 

The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, or whether by or in the right of the Trust, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of any alleged act or omission as a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interest of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person, may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding on the condition that the amounts so paid shall be repaid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article.

 

ITEM 31.            BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

 

Describe any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature that each investment adviser, and each director, officer or partner of the adviser, is or has been engaged within the last two fiscal years for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee. (Disclose the name and principal business address of any company for which a person listed above serves in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee, and the nature of the relationship.)

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. provides investment services to employee benefit plans, endowment funds, foundations and other institutional investors.

 

See “Fund Management” in the Prospectus regarding the business of the investment adviser. The following information is given regarding directors and officers of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.  Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.

 

Set forth below is the name and principal business address of each company for which directors or officers of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. serve as directors, officers or employees:

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

 

Listed below are the officers and Directors of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.:

 

NAME AND POSITION WITH

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS,

MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.

 

PROFESSION OR VOCATION

 

 

 

Gregory J. Fleming
Managing Director and President

 

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC; Executive Vice President of Morgan Stanley.

 

 

 

Christopher O’Dell
Managing Director and Secretary

 

Managing Director and Secretary of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Secretary of other entities affiliated with the Adviser.

 

 

 

Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer

 

Chief Compliance Officer of the Morgan Stanley Funds and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.

 

 

 

Jeffrey Gelfand
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Chief Financial Officer of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC; Treasurer of other entities affiliated with the Adviser.

 

 

 

Mary Alice Dunne
Managing Director and Director

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur Lev
Managing Director and Director

 

Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Senior Vice President and Vice President of other entities affiliated with the Adviser.

 

 

 

Kevin Klingert
Managing Director and Director

 

Director of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

 

 

 

Jason Pizzorusso
Managing Director and Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

Feta Zabeli
Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

Philip Varela
Executive Director and Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer

 

Executive Director and Anti-Money Laundering Officer of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.

 

For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of additional officers of the Adviser, reference is made to the Adviser’s current Form ADV (File No. 801-15757) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference.

 

3



 

In addition, the Adviser acts as investment adviser to several other registered investment companies.

 

ITEM 32.            PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS

 

(a) State the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for which each principal underwriter currently distributing the Fund’s securities acts as a principal underwriter, depositor or investment adviser.

 

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. acts as distributor for the following investment companies:

 

(1) Active Assets California Tax-Free Trust

(2) Active Assets Government Securities Trust

(3) Active Assets Institutional Government Securities Trust

(4) Active Assets Institutional Money Trust

(5) Active Assets Money Trust

(6) Active Assets Tax-Free Trust

(7) AIP Series Trust

(8) Morgan Stanley California Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

(9) Morgan Stanley European Equity Fund Inc.

(10) Morgan Stanley Global Fixed Income Opportunities Fund

(11) Morgan Stanley Global Infrastructure Fund

(12) Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc.

(13) Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds

(14) Morgan Stanley Limited Duration U.S. Government Trust

(15) Morgan Stanley Liquid Asset Fund Inc.

(16) Morgan Stanley Mortgage Securities Trust

(17) Morgan Stanley Multi Cap Growth Trust

(18) Morgan Stanley New York Municipal Money Market Trust

(19) Morgan Stanley Select Dimensions Investment Series

(20) Morgan Stanley Tax-Free Daily Income Trust

(21) Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust

(22) Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Securities Trust

(23) Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

(24) The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc.

 

 

(b) Provide the information required by the following table for each director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter named in answer to Item 25.

 

The principal address for Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. and each director, officer or partner listed below is 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036.

 

NAME AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS

 

POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH

 

POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH

ADDRESS

 

UNDERWRITER

 

REGISTRANT

 

 

 

 

 

Henry Kaplan

 

President and Director

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Frederick McMullen

 

Director

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Maureen O’Toole

 

Director

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Jeffrey Gelfand

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Christopher O’Dell

 

Secretary

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Ilene Shore

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

Philip Varela

 

Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer

 

AML Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Sergio Lupetin

 

Financial and Operations Principal

 

None

 

4



 

(c) Provide the information required by the following table for all commissions and other compensation received, directly or indirectly, from the Fund during the last fiscal year by each principal underwriter who is not an affiliated person of the Fund or any affiliated person of an affiliated person.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 33.            LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS

 

State the name and address of each person maintaining physical possession of each account, book, or other document required to be maintained by section 31(a) [15 U.S.C. 80a-30(a)] and the rules under that section.

 

Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are maintained as follows:

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

(records relating to its function as custodian and sub-administrator)

 

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, MA 02169-0953

(records relating to its functions as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent)

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY 10036

(records relating to its function as investment adviser and administrator)

 

ITEM 34.            MANAGEMENT SERVICES

 

Provide a summary of the substantive provisions of any management-related service contract not discussed in Part A or part B, disclosing the parties to the contract and the total amount paid and by whom for the Fund’s last three fiscal years.

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 35.            UNDERTAKINGS

 

In initial registration statements filed under the Securities Act, provide an undertaking to file an amendment to the registration statement with certified financial statements showing the initial capital received before accepting subscriptions from more than 25 persons if the Fund intends to raise its initial capital under section 14(a)(3) [15 U.S.C. 80a-14(a)(3)].

 

(a) Not applicable.

 

5


 


 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 4th day of March, 2015.

 

 

 

MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL FUND TRUST

 

 

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 127 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

TITLE

 

DATE

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Principal Executive Officer

 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

March 4, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

 

 

 

 

John H. Gernon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Principal Financial Officer

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

March 4, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Francis J. Smith

 

 

 

 

 

Francis J. Smith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3) Majority of the Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frank L. Bowman

 

Joseph J. Kearns

 

 

Michael Bozic

 

Michael F. Klein

 

 

Kathleen A. Dennis

 

Michael E. Nugent (Chairman)

 

 

Nancy C. Everett

 

W. Allen Reed

 

 

Jakki L. Haussler

 

Fergus Reid

 

 

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Carl Frischling

 

 

 

March 4, 2015

 

Carl Frischling

 

 

 

 

 

Attorney-In-Fact for the

 

 

 

 

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James F. Higgins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Joseph C. Benedetti

 

 

 

March 4, 2015

 

Joseph C. Benedetti

 

 

 

 

 

Attorney-In-Fact for the

 

 

 

 

 

Interested Trustee

 

 

 

 

 



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

(d)     (1)                      Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

 

(g)                                                     Custody Agreement between the Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company.

 

(h)    (2)                         Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

 

(i)     (20)                   Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Global Multi-Asset Income Portfolio).

 

(m)   (1)                        Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Plan under Rule 12b-1 relating to Class A Shares.

 

(m)   (2)                        Amended and Restated Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan under Rule 12b-1 relating to Class L Shares.

 

(n)                                                    Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multiple Class Plan.

 



Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

This ‘485BPOS’ Filing    Date    Other Filings
1/1/17
3/31/15
Filed on / Effective on:3/4/15
1/9/15
1/1/15
12/31/14N-Q
12/19/14485APOS
12/9/14
12/2/14485BPOS
9/30/1424F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B
9/26/14
9/17/14
3/25/14485BPOS,  497K
12/31/1324F-2NT,  N-Q
9/27/13
9/16/13
7/12/13485BPOS
7/1/13
4/1/13
12/31/12N-Q
4/27/12485BPOS,  497K
2/6/12485BPOS,  497K
1/1/12
9/30/1024F-2NT,  N-CSR,  NSAR-B,  NSAR-B/A
1/28/09485BPOS
8/12/08485BPOS
6/3/08485BPOS
3/7/08
1/30/08485APOS,  485BPOS
12/21/0724F-2NT,  485BPOS
11/30/06485APOS
8/24/06
7/19/06485BPOS
4/26/06485BPOS,  497
6/1/05
1/28/05485BPOS
11/1/04497
4/1/04
12/31/03
12/10/03485BPOS
7/31/03
7/10/98485APOS
5/31/97
11/18/93
 List all Filings 


8 Subsequent Filings that Reference this Filing

  As Of               Filer                 Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size             Issuer                      Filing Agent

 1/29/24  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     1/29/24   21:21M                                    Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
 1/27/23  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     1/27/23   24:21M                                    Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
 1/28/22  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     1/28/22   23:21M                                    Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
 3/16/21  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     3/16/21   22:4.2M                                   Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
 1/29/21  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     1/29/21   21:22M                                    Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
12/31/20  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485APOS                2:2.4M                                   Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
11/13/20  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS    11/13/20   18:3.7M                                   Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
 9/28/20  Morgan Stanley Inst’l Fund Trust  485BPOS     9/28/20   21:4.7M                                   Broadridge Fin’l… Inc/FA
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