2022-09-21MSILFInstitutionalClassPortfolios_485B_PSP_February2023
MORGAN
STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL LIQUIDITY FUNDS
Statement
of Additional Information
February
28, 2023
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Share
Class and Ticker Symbol |
Fund
Name |
Institutional Class |
Institutional Select
Class |
Investor Class |
Administrative Class |
Advisory Class |
Participant Class |
Cash
Management Class |
Select Class |
CastleOak
Class |
Impact Class |
Prime
Portfolio |
MPFXX |
MPEXX |
MPVXX |
MPMXX |
MAVXX |
MPNXX |
MSPXX |
— |
CASXX |
IMTXX |
Government
Portfolio |
MVRXX |
MGSXX |
MVVXX |
MGOXX |
MAYXX |
MPCXX |
MSGXX |
MSDXX |
COSXX |
IMPXX |
Government
Securities
Portfolio |
MUIXX |
MSVXX |
MVIXX |
MGAXX |
MVAXX |
MGPXX |
MCHXX |
— |
— |
— |
Treasury
Portfolio |
MISXX |
MTSXX |
MTNXX |
MTTXX |
MAOXX |
MTCXX |
MREXX |
MSTXX |
— |
— |
Treasury
Securities
Portfolio |
MSUXX |
MSSXX |
MNVXX |
MAMXX |
MVYXX |
MPRXX |
MHSXX |
MSEXX |
— |
— |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
MTXXX |
MXSXX |
MXIXX |
MXAXX |
MADXX |
MXPXX |
MTMXX |
— |
— |
— |
Morgan
Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the “Trust”) is a mutual fund currently
consisting of the following seven portfolios:,
the Prime
Portfolio, the Government Portfolio, the Government Securities Portfolio, the
Treasury Portfolio, the Treasury Securities Portfolio,
Tax-Exempt Portfolio (each a “Fund” and collectively the
“Funds”) and the
ESG Money Market Portfolio. Each
Fund offers the
following classes of shares: Institutional Class, Institutional Select Class,
Investor Class, Administrative Class, Advisory Class,
Participant Class and Cash Management Class. The Government Portfolio, the
Treasury Portfolio and the Treasury Securities Portfolio
also offer Select Class shares. The Prime
Portfolio and
Government Portfolio offer CastleOak Class shares. The Government
Portfolio and Prime Portfolio offer Impact Class shares. The Funds are designed
to provide investors with a variety of liquidity
options. This Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) sets forth
information about the Trust and information applicable
to the Funds. Information
regarding the Administrative Class, the Advisory Class, the Cash Management
Class, the Investor
Class, the Participant Class, the Select Class, the Wealth Class and the Wealth
S Class of the ESG Money Market Portfolio are set
forth in a separate SAI dated January 23, 2023. This SAI
is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Funds’
Prospectuses relating to the Institutional Class, Institutional Select Class,
Investor Class, Administrative Class, Advisory Class, Participant
Class, Cash Management Class, Select Class, CastleOak Class and Impact
Class dated February 28, 2023, as
may be supplemented
from time to time. To obtain any of these Prospectuses, please call Shareholder
Services at the number indicated below. The
Funds’ most recent Annual Report to Shareholders is a separate document supplied
with this SAI.
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICES: 1-888-378-1630
PRICES
AND INVESTMENT RESULTS: WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM/LIQUIDITY
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INVESTMENTS
AND INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
The
following discussion of each Fund’s investments and risks should be read in
conjunction with the sections of the Funds’ Prospectuses
entitled “Principal Investment Strategies,” “Principal Risks,” “Approach,” and
“Additional Information about the Funds’
Investment Strategies and Related Risks.” The Funds’ investments are limited by
the quality, maturity and diversification requirements
adopted under Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Rule
2a-7” of the “1940 Act”). In addition,
each Fund is “diversified” and, as such, each Fund’s investments are required to
meet certain diversification requirements under
federal securities laws.
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management Inc. is the adviser (the “Adviser” or “MSIM”) to
each Fund.
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 that 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 their debt. Debt from
certain other agencies and instrumentalities, including
the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie
Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), 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
creditworthiness 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.
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 Bank, Central
Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks and Fannie
Mae.
U.S.
Government Securities. U.S.
government securities refer to a variety of fixed-income securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government
and its various instrumentalities and agencies. The U.S. government securities
that certain Funds may purchase include U.S.
Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are direct obligations of the U.S.
Government. In addition, certain Funds may purchase
securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that
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. Certain
Funds may also purchase securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities that
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, certain Funds may purchase securities issued by agencies and
instrumentalities that are backed solely by the credit of the
issuing agency or instrumentality. Among these agencies and instrumentalities is
the Federal Farm Credit System.
Asset-Backed
Securities. Certain
Funds 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. A Fund 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
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.
Bank
Obligations. Bank
obligations include certificates of deposit, commercial paper, unsecured bank
promissory notes, bankers’ acceptances,
time deposits and other debt obligations. Certain Funds may invest in
obligations issued or backed by U.S. banks when a bank has
more than $1 billion in total assets at the time of purchase or is a branch or
subsidiary of such a bank. In addition, certain Funds may
invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign
banks that have more than $1 billion in total
assets at the time of purchase, U.S. branches or subsidiaries of such foreign
banks (Yankee obligations), foreign branches of such
foreign
banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks having more than $1 billion in total
assets at the time of purchase. Bank obligations may be
general obligations of the parent bank or may be limited to the issuing branch
by the terms of the specific obligation or by U.S.
government regulation.
If a Fund
invests more than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations (whether foreign
or domestic), it may be especially affected by favorable
and adverse developments in or related to the banking industry. The activities
of U.S. and most foreign banks are subject to comprehensive
regulations, which, in the case of U.S. regulations, have undergone substantial
changes in the past decade. The enactment
of new legislation or regulations, as well as changes in interpretation and
enforcement of current laws, may affect the manner of
operations and profitability of domestic and foreign banks. Significant
developments in the U.S. banking industry have included
increased competition from other types of financial institutions, increased
acquisition activity and geographic expansion. Banks may
be particularly susceptible to certain economic factors, such as interest rate
changes and adverse developments in the real estate
markets. Fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles can affect the
availability and cost of funds, loan demand and asset
quality and thereby impact the earnings and financial conditions of
banks.
Investment
Company Securities. In
accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, a money market fund (such as a
Fund) is permitted
to invest in securities issued by a registered investment company that also is a
money market fund. The Funds (other
than the
Treasury Securities Portfolio) may,
to the extent noted in the Fund’s non-fundamental limitations, invest in
investment company securities
as may be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act; (ii) the rules and regulations
promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act; or (iii) an
exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from provisions of the 1940
Act. The 1940 Act generally prohibits an investment company
from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting shares of an investment
company and limits such investments to no more
than 5% of a Fund’s total assets in any one investment company and no more than
10% in any combination of investment companies.
The 1940 Act also prohibits a Fund from acquiring in the aggregate more
than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of any
registered closed-end investment company. A Fund 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 a
Fund 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 Fund will bear not only
his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund,
but also, indirectly the expenses of the purchased investment
company.
To the
extent permitted by applicable law, each Fund (other
than the Treasury Securities 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, each Fund, 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 Fund
bearing some additional expenses. The rules
governing money market funds: (1) permit (and, under certain
circumstances, require) certain money market funds to impose a “liquidity
fee” (up to 2%), or a “redemption gate” that temporarily restricts redemptions
from a money market fund, if weekly liquidity
levels fall below the required regulatory threshold, and (2) require
“institutional money market funds” to operate with a floating
net asset value per share (“NAV”) rounded to a minimum of the fourth decimal
place in the case of a fund with a $1.0000 share
price or an equivalent or more precise level of accuracy for money market funds
with a different share price (e.g., $10.000 per share, or
$100.00 per share). These may affect the investment strategies, performance and
operating expenses of money market funds. If a Fund
invests in the Government Portfolio, the Government Securities Portfolio,
the Treasury Portfolio or the Treasury Securities Portfolio,
such requirements do not currently apply.
Corporates.
Corporates are fixed-income securities issued by private businesses. Holders, as
creditors, have a prior legal claim over holders of
equity securities of the issuer as to both income and assets for the principal
and interest due to the holder. The Funds
will buy
corporates subject to any quality constraints set forth under Rule
2a-7.
Custodial
Receipts. Certain
Funds may invest in custodial receipts representing interests in U.S. government
securities, municipal obligations
or other debt instruments held by a custodian or trustee. Custodial receipts
evidence ownership of future interest payments,
principal payments or both on notes or bonds issued or guaranteed as to
principal or interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies,
instrumentalities, political subdivisions or authorities, by a state or local
governmental body or authority, or by other types of
issuers. For certain securities law purposes, custodial receipts are not
considered obligations of the underlying issuers. In addition, if for tax
purposes a Fund is not considered to be the owner of the underlying securities
held in the custodial account, the Fund may suffer
adverse tax consequences. As a holder of custodial receipts, a Fund will
bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses charged to
the custodial account.
Industrial
Development and Pollution Control Bonds. The
Tax-Exempt Portfolio may invest more than 25% of its total assets in
industrial
development and pollution control bonds (two kinds of tax-exempt municipal
bonds) whether or not the users of the facilities
financed by such bonds are in the same industry. In cases where such users are
in the same industry, there may be additional risk to
the Fund in the event of an economic downturn in such industry, which may result
generally in a lowered need for such facilities
and a lowered ability of such users to pay for the use of such
facilities.
Lease
Obligations. Included
within the revenue bonds category in which a Fund may invest are
participations in lease obligations or installment
purchase contracts (hereinafter collectively called “lease obligations”) of
municipalities. State and local governments, agencies
or authorities issue lease obligations to acquire equipment and facilities.
Lease obligations may have risks not normally associated
with general obligation or other revenue bonds. Leases, and installment purchase
or conditional sale contracts (which may provide
for title to the leased asset to pass eventually to the issuer), have developed
as a means for governmental issuers to acquire property
and equipment without the necessity of complying with the constitutional and
statutory requirements generally applicable for the
issuance of debt. Certain lease obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses
that provide that the governmental issuer has no
obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is
appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative
body on an annual or other periodic basis. Consequently, continued lease
payments on those lease obligations containing “non-appropriation”
clauses are dependent on future legislative actions. If such legislative actions
do not occur, the holders of the lease
obligation may experience difficulty in exercising their rights, including
disposition of the property.
In
addition, lease obligations do not have the depth of marketability associated
with more conventional municipal obligations, and, as a
result, certain of such lease obligations may be considered illiquid securities.
The Adviser, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees,
will make a determination as to the liquidity of each lease obligation purchased
by the Funds. If a lease obligation is determined
to be “liquid,” the security will not be included within the category “illiquid
securities.”
Variable
Rate and Floating Rate Obligations. A Fund may invest in
variable rate and floating rate obligations. Subject to the conditions for using
amortized cost valuation under the 1940 Act, a Fund may consider the
maturity of a variable or floating rate obligation to be shorter than its
ultimate stated maturity if the obligation is issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its various instrumentalities and agencies, if the obligation has
a remaining maturity of 397 calendar days or less or if the obligation has a
demand feature that permits the Fund to receive payment at any time or at
specified intervals not exceeding 397 calendar days. The interest rate payable,
on a variable rate obligation, is adjusted at pre-designated periodic intervals
and, on a floating rate obligation, whenever there is a change in the market
rate of interest on which the interest rate payable is based. Other features may
include the right whereby a Fund may demand prepayment of the principal
amount of the obligation prior to its stated maturity and the right of the
issuer to prepay the principal amount prior to maturity. The principal benefit
of a variable rate obligation is that the interest rate adjustment minimizes
changes in the market value of the obligation. In addition, the purchase of
variable rate and floating rate obligations should allow the Fund to sell
obligations prior to maturity at a price that is approximately the full
principal amount of the obligations. The principal benefit to a Fund of
purchasing obligations with a demand feature is that liquidity, and the ability
of the Fund to obtain repayment of the full principal amount of an obligation
prior to maturity, is enhanced. The payment of principal and interest by issuers
of certain obligations purchased by a Fund may be guaranteed by letters of
credit or other credit facilities offered by banks or other financial
institutions. Such guarantees will be considered in determining whether an
obligation meets a Fund’s investment quality requirements. A Fund
may purchase variable or floating rate obligations from the issuers or may
purchase certificates of participation, a type of variable or floating rate
obligation, which are interests in a pool of debt obligations held by a bank or
other financial institution. Certain of the variable rate obligations may be in
the form of preferred shares of registered closed-end investment
companies.
Adjustable
Rate Government Securities. Adjustable
rate government securities are variable rate securities where the variable rate
of interest
is readjusted no less frequently than every 397 calendar days and deemed to have
a maturity equal to the period remaining until the
next readjustment of the interest rate.
Promissory
Notes. Promissory
notes are generally debt obligations of the issuing entity and are subject to
the risks of investing in corporate
debt. The Prime Portfolio may invest up to 5% of its net assets in illiquid
securities, including unsecured bank promissory notes.
Funding
Agreements. A
funding agreement is a contract between an issuer and a purchaser that obligates
the issuer to pay a guaranteed
rate of interest on a principal sum deposited by the purchaser. Funding
agreements will also guarantee the return of principal
and may guarantee a stream of payments over time. A funding agreement has a
fixed maturity and may have either a fixed, variable
or floating interest rate that is based on an index and guaranteed for a fixed
time period. The secondary market, if any, for these
funding agreements is limited; thus, such investments purchased by the
Funds may be treated as illiquid. Certain
Funds may invest up
to 5% of their net assets in illiquid securities, including funding
agreements.
Repurchase
Agreements.
Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Fund purchases a
security or basket of securities and simultaneously
commits to resell that security or basket to the seller (a bank, broker or
dealer) at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The
resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon market rate of
interest which is unrelated to the coupon rate or date of
maturity of the purchased security. The term of these agreements usually ranges
from overnight to one week, and never exceeds
one year. Repurchase agreements with a term of over seven days are considered
illiquid.
In these
transactions, a Fund receives securities that have a market value at least
equal to the purchase price (including accrued interest)
of the repurchase agreement, and this value is maintained during the term of the
agreement. These securities are held by the Trust’s
custodian or an approved third party for the benefit of a Fund until
repurchased. Repurchase agreements permit a Fund
to remain
fully invested while retaining overnight flexibility to pursue investments of a
longer-term nature. If the seller defaults and the value
of the repurchased securities declines, a Fund might incur a loss. If
bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the
seller, a Fund’s realization upon the collateral may be
delayed.
While
repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct
investments in debt securities, each Fund 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, 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 Funds will seek to liquidate such collateral.
However, the exercising of a Fund’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 Fund could suffer a loss. Certain
Funds may invest
in repurchase agreements backed by
municipal securities and non-governmental collateral such as corporate debt
obligations, convertible securities and common and
preferred stock. Certain of these securities may be rated below investment
grade.
Repurchase
agreements involving obligations other than U.S. government securities may be
subject to special risks. Repurchase agreements
secured by obligations that are not eligible for direct investment under a
Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions may
require the Fund to promptly dispose of such collateral if the seller or
guarantor becomes insolvent.
A Fund may
enter into repurchase
agreements on a forward commitment basis. To the extent a Fund does
so and the counterparty to the trade fails to effectuate
the trade at the scheduled time, the Fund may be forced to deploy its capital in
a repurchase agreement with a less favorable rate of
return than it otherwise may have achieved or may be unable to enter into a
repurchase agreement at all at the desired time.
A Fund
will not invest in repurchase agreements that do not mature within seven days if
any such investment, together with any other
illiquid assets held by the Fund, amount to more than 5% of its net assets.
A Fund’s
investments in repurchase agreements may at times
be substantial when for
example, in the
view of the Fund’s Adviser, liquidity or other conditions warrant.
Reverse
Repurchase Agreements. The Funds
(other than the Treasury Securities Portfolio) may also use reverse repurchase
agreements
as part of their investment strategies. Reverse repurchase agreements involve
sales by a Fund of portfolio assets concurrently
with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same assets at a later date at a
fixed price. Generally, the effect of such a
transaction is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the
portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse
repurchase agreement, while it will be able to keep the interest income
associated with those portfolio securities. Such transactions
are only advantageous if the interest cost to a Fund of the reverse repurchase
transaction is less than the cost of otherwise obtaining
the cash. Opportunities to achieve this advantage may not always be available,
and each Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase
technique only when it will be to its advantage to do so.
Reverse
repurchase agreements are considered borrowings by a Fund and
for purposes other than meeting redemptions may not exceed 5% of a Fund’s total
assets. All forms of borrowing (including
reverse repurchase agreements) are limited in the aggregate and may not exceed
33⅓% of a Fund’s total assets, except as permitted
by law. See “Leveraging,” below, for a description of leverage risk.
Furthermore, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risks that
(i) the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less
than the interest expense, (ii) the market value of the
securities retained in lieu of sale by a Fund may decline below the price of the
securities the Fund has sold but is obligated to repurchase,
(iii) the market value of the securities sold will decline below the price at
which a Fund is required to repurchase them and (iv)
the securities will not be returned to a Fund.
Private
Placements. The
Funds (other
than the Treasury Securities Portfolio) may
invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the
so-called “private placement” exemption afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) and which may be
sold to other institutional investors pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act.
Rule 144A permits the Funds to sell restricted
securities to qualified institutional buyers without limitation. However,
investing in Rule 144A securities could have the effect of
increasing the level of Fund illiquidity to the extent a Fund, at a particular
point in time, may be unable to find qualified institutional
buyers interested in purchasing such securities.
Section
4(a)(2) and Rule 144A 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 a Fund 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 to arrive at a fair
value for certain securities at certain times and could make it
difficult for a Fund to sell certain securities. If such securities are required
to be registered under the securities laws of one or more
jurisdictions before being sold, a Fund may be required to bear the expenses of
registration.
The
Adviser, pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees, will make a
determination as to the liquidity of each restricted security purchased
by the Funds. If a restricted security is determined to be “liquid,” the
security will not be included within the category “illiquid
securities.”
Put
Options. A
Fund may purchase securities together with the right to resell them to the
seller at an agreed-upon price or yield within a
specified period prior to the maturity date of such securities. Such a right to
resell is commonly known as a “put,” and the aggregate
price which a Fund pays for securities with puts may be higher than the
price which otherwise would be paid for the securities.
The primary purpose of this practice is to permit a Fund to be fully
invested in securities, the interest on which is exempt from
federal income tax, while preserving the necessary flexibility and liquidity to
purchase securities on a when-issued basis, to meet unusually
large redemptions and to purchase at a later date securities other than those
subject to the put. The Trust’s policy is, generally,
to exercise the puts on their expiration date, when the exercise price is higher
than the current market price for the related securities.
Puts may be exercised prior to the expiration date in order to fund obligations
to purchase other securities or to meet redemption
requests. These obligations may arise during periods in which proceeds from
sales of Fund shares and from recent sales of portfolio
securities are insufficient to meet such obligations or when the funds available
are otherwise allocated for investment. In addition,
puts may be exercised prior to their expiration date in the event the Adviser
revises its evaluation of the creditworthiness of the issuer
of the underlying security. In determining whether to exercise puts prior to
their expiration date and in selecting which puts to
exercise in such circumstances, the Adviser considers, among other things, the
amount of cash available to the Fund, the expiration
dates of the available puts, any future commitments for securities purchases,
the yield, quality and maturity dates of the underlying
securities, alternative investment opportunities and the desirability of
retaining the underlying securities in the Fund’s portfolio.
Each Fund
values securities which are subject to puts at their amortized cost and values
the put, apart from the security, at zero. Thus, the
cost of the put will be carried on a Fund’s books as an unrealized loss
from the date of acquisition and will be reflected in realized
gain or loss when the put is exercised or expires. Since the value of the put is
dependent on the ability of the put writer to meet its
obligation to repurchase, the Trust’s policy is to enter into put
transactions only with municipal securities dealers who are approved
by the Trust’s Trustees. Each dealer will be approved on its own merits
and it is the Trust’s general policy to enter into put transactions
only with those dealers which are determined to present minimal credit risks. In
connection with such determination, the
Adviser will review, among other things, the ratings, if available, of equity
and debt securities of such municipal securities dealers, their
reputations in the municipal securities markets, the net worth of such dealers
and their efficiency in consummating transactions. Bank
dealers normally will be members of the Federal Reserve System, and other
dealers will be members of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”) or members of a national securities exchange. The Trustees
have directed the Adviser not to enter into put
transactions with, and to exercise outstanding puts of, any municipal securities
dealer which, in the judgment of the Adviser, ceases at
any time to present a minimal credit risk. In the event that a dealer should
default on its obligation to repurchase an underlying
security, a Fund is unable to predict whether all or any portion of any loss
sustained could be subsequently recovered from such
dealer.
In Revenue
Ruling 82-144, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) stated that, under certain
circumstances, a purchaser of tax-exempt obligations
which are subject to puts will be considered the owner of the obligations for
federal income tax purposes.
Municipals. Municipal
securities include debt obligations of states, territories or possessions of the
United States and the District of Columbia
and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities, the income on
which is generally exempt from federal income tax
at the time of issuance, in the opinion of bond counsel or other counsel to the
issuers of such securities. Municipals include
both municipal bonds (those securities with maturities of five years or more)
and municipal notes (those with maturities of less than
five years). Municipal bonds are issued for a wide variety of reasons: to
construct public facilities, such as airports, highways, bridges,
schools, hospitals, mass transportation, streets, water and sewer works; to
obtain funds for operating expenses; to refund outstanding
municipal obligations; and to loan funds to various public institutions and
facilities. Certain industrial development bonds are
also considered municipal bonds if their interest is exempt from federal income
tax. Industrial development bonds are issued by,
or on behalf of, public authorities to obtain funds for various
privately-operated manufacturing facilities, housing, sports arenas,
convention centers, airports, mass transportation systems and water, gas or
sewage works. Industrial development bonds are ordinarily
dependent on the credit quality of a private user, not the public issuer.
Private activity bonds are another type of municipal security.
The two
principal classifications of municipal bonds are “general obligation” and
“revenue” or “special tax” bonds. General obligation
bonds are secured by the issuer’s pledge of its full faith, credit and taxing
power for the payment of principal and interest. Thus,
these bonds may be vulnerable to limits on a government’s power or ability to
raise revenue or increase taxes and its ability to maintain a
fiscally sound budget. The timely payments may also be influenced by any
unfunded pension liabilities or other post-employee
benefit plan liabilities. These bonds may also depend on legislative
appropriation and/or funding or other support from other
governmental bodies in order to make payments. Revenue or special tax bonds are
payable only from the revenues derived from a
particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds
of a special excise or other tax, but not from general tax revenues.
As a result, these bonds historically have been subject to a greater risk of
default than general obligation bonds because
investors
can look only to the revenue generated by the project or other revenue source
backing the project, rather than to the general taxing
authority of the state or local government issuer of the
obligations.
Industrial
revenue bonds in most cases are revenue bonds and generally do not have the
pledge of the credit of the issuer. The payment of
the principal and interest on such industrial revenue bonds is dependent solely
on the ability of the user of the facilities financed
by the bonds to meet its financial obligations and the pledge, if any, of real
and personal property so financed as security for such
payment. Short-term municipal obligations issued by states, cities,
municipalities or municipal agencies, include tax anticipation notes,
revenue anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, construction loan notes and
short-term discount notes.
Private
activity bonds may be used by municipalities to finance the development of
industrial facilities for use by private enterprise. Principal
and interest payments are to be made by the private enterprise benefitting from
the development, which means that the holder of
the bond is exposed to the risk that the private issuer may default on the bond.
The credit and quality of private activity bonds and
industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate
user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and
repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user
(and/or any guarantor).
Municipal
notes are issued to meet the short-term funding requirements of local, regional
and state governments. Municipal notes include
bond anticipation notes, revenue anticipation notes and tax and revenue
anticipation notes. These are short-term debt obligations
issued by state and local governments to aid cash flows while waiting for taxes
or revenue to be collected, at which time the debt
is retired. Other types of municipal notes in which a Fund may invest are
construction loan notes, short-term discount notes,
tax-exempt commercial paper, demand notes and similar instruments.
Municipal
bonds generally include debt obligations issued by states and their political
subdivisions, and duly constituted authorities and
corporations, to obtain funds to construct, repair or improve various public
facilities such as airports, bridges, highways, hospitals,
housing, schools, streets and water and sewer works. Municipal bonds may also be
issued to refinance outstanding obligations
as well as to obtain funds for general operating expenses and for loans to other
public institutions and facilities. In addition,
municipal bonds may include obligations of municipal housing authorities and
single-family mortgage revenue bonds. Weaknesses
in federal housing subsidy programs and their administration may result in a
decrease of subsidies available for payment of
principal and interest on housing authority bonds. Economic developments,
including fluctuations in interest rates and increasing construction
and operating costs, may also adversely impact revenues of housing authorities.
In the case of some housing authorities, inability
to obtain additional financing could also reduce revenues available to pay
existing obligations. Single-family mortgage revenue
bonds are subject to extraordinary mandatory redemption at par in whole or in
part from the proceeds derived from prepayments
of underlying mortgage loans and also from the unused proceeds of the issue
within a stated period which may be within a
year from the date of issue.
Note
obligations with demand or put options may have a stated maturity in excess of
one year, but permit any holder to demand payment of
principal plus accrued interest upon a specified number of days’ notice.
Frequently, such obligations are secured by letters of credit
or other credit support arrangements provided by banks. The issuer of such notes
normally has a corresponding right, after a given
period, to repay at its discretion the outstanding principal of the note plus
accrued interest upon a specific number of days’ notice to
the bondholders. The interest rate on a demand note may be based upon a known
lending rate, such as the prime lending rate, and
be adjusted when such rate changes, or the interest rate on a demand note may be
a market rate that is adjusted at specified intervals.
Each note purchased by the Funds will meet the quality criteria set out in
the applicable Prospectus for the Fund.
The yields
of municipal bonds depend on, among other things, general money market
conditions, conditions in the municipal bond market,
the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation, and the
rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s and Standard
& Poor’s represent their opinions of the quality of the municipal bonds
rated by them. It should be emphasized that such
ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently,
municipal bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating
may have different yields, while municipal bonds of the same maturity and
coupon, but with different ratings, may have the same
yield. It will be the responsibility of the Adviser to appraise independently
the fundamental quality of the bonds held by the Funds.
Municipal
bonds are sometimes purchased on a “when-issued” or “delayed-delivery” basis,
which means a Fund has committed to purchase
certain specified securities at an agreed-upon price when they are issued. The
period between commitment date and issuance
date can be a month or more. It is possible that the securities will never be
issued and the commitment canceled.
From time
to time proposals have been introduced before Congress to restrict or eliminate
the federal income tax exemption for interest
on municipal bonds. Similar proposals may be introduced in the
future.
Similarly,
from time to time proposals have been introduced before state and local
legislatures to restrict or eliminate the state and local
income tax exemption for interest on municipal bonds. Similar proposals may be
introduced in the future.
The Funds
may also purchase bonds the income on which is subject to the alternative
minimum tax (“AMT bonds”). AMT bonds are
tax-exempt private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986, the proceeds of
which are directed, at least in part, to private, for-profit
organizations. While the income from AMT bonds is exempt from regular federal
income tax, it is a tax preference item in the
calculation
of the alternative minimum tax. The alternative minimum tax is a special
separate tax that applies to some taxpayers who have
certain adjustments to income or tax preference items.
An issuer
of municipal securities may file for bankruptcy or otherwise seek to reorganize
its debts by extending debt maturities, reducing
the amount of principal or interest, refinancing the debt or taking other
measures, in each case which may significantly affect the
rights of creditors and the value of the municipal securities and the value of a
Fund’s investments in such municipal securities.
In addition, changes to bankruptcy laws may adversely impact a Fund’s
investments in municipal securities, including creditor
rights, if the issuer seeks bankruptcy protection.
Build
America Bonds are taxable municipal securities on which the issuer receives
federal support of the interest paid. Assuming certain
specified conditions are satisfied, issuers of Build America Bonds may either
(i) receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury with
respect to a portion of its interest payments on the bonds (“direct pay” Build
America Bonds) or (ii) provide tax credits to investors
in the bonds (“tax credit” Build America Bonds). Unlike most other municipal
securities, interest received on Build America Bonds is
subject to federal and state income tax. Issuance of Build America Bonds ceased
on December 31, 2010. The number of Build
America Bonds available in the market is limited, which may negatively affect
the value of the Build America Bonds.
The Funds
may hold municipal private placements. These securities are sold through private
negotiations, usually to institutions or mutual
funds, and generally have resale restrictions. Their yields are usually higher
than comparable public securities to compensate the
investor for their limited marketability.
Tender
Option Bonds. A tender
option bond is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial
arrangement) created by
dividing the income stream provided by an underlying municipal bond having a
relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate
substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax-exempt rates to create two
securities issued by a special-purpose trust – floating
rate certificates and residual interest securities. Tender option bonds are
typically issued in conjunction with the agreement of a third
party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to
which the institution grants the security holder the
option, at periodic intervals, to tender its securities to the institution. A
Fund holds the class of interest, or floating rate certificate,
which receives tax-exempt interest based on short-term rates and has the ability
to tender the certificate at par. As consideration
for providing the tender option, the financial institution receives periodic
fees equal to the difference between the bond’s
fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent,
that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender
option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment
of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a
demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt
rate. The tender option will be taken into account in
determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and a Fund’s average
portfolio maturity. There is a risk that a Fund may not be
considered the owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes,
and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest
as exempt from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid
or may become illiquid as a result of a credit rating
downgrade, a payment default or a disqualification from tax-exempt
status.
Variable
Rate Master Demand Notes. These are
obligations that permit a Fund to invest fluctuating amounts, at varying rates
of interest,
pursuant to direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower.
These obligations permit daily changes in the
amounts borrowed. Because these obligations are direct lending arrangements
between the lender and borrower, it is not contemplated
that such instruments generally will be traded, and there generally is no
established secondary market for these obligations,
although they are redeemable at face value, plus accrued interest. Accordingly,
where these obligations are not secured by letters of
credit or other credit support arrangements, a Fund’s right to redeem is
dependent on the ability of the borrower to pay principal
and interest on demand.
When-Issued
Securities. Certain
fixed income securities are purchased on a “when-issued” basis. This means that
the securities are purchased
at a certain price, but may not be delivered for up to 90 days. No payment or
delivery is made until a Fund receives payment or
delivery from the other party to the transaction. Although a Fund receives no
income from the above described securities prior to
delivery, the market value of such securities is still subject to change. As a
consequence, it is possible that the market price of the
securities at the time of delivery may be higher or lower than the purchase
price.
Eurodollar
and Yankee Dollar Obligations. Certain
Funds may invest in Eurodollar and Yankee dollar obligations provided that
such
obligations are U.S. dollar-denominated. Eurodollar and Yankee dollar
obligations are fixed income securities that include time deposits,
which are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a bank for a specified period of
time at a stated interest rate. Eurodollar obligations
may be issued by government and corporate issuers in Europe. Yankee dollar
obligations, which include time deposits and certificates
of deposit, are U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued in the U.S. capital
markets by foreign banks. Eurodollar bank obligations,
which include time deposits and certificates of deposit, are U.S.
dollar-denominated obligations issued outside the U.S. capital
markets by foreign branches of U.S. banks and by foreign banks.
The Funds may consider Yankee dollar obligations to be domestic
securities for purposes of their investment policies.
Eurodollar
and Yankee dollar obligations are subject to the same risks as domestic issues,
notably credit risk, market risk and liquidity risk.
However, Eurodollar (and to a limited extent, Yankee dollar) obligations are
also 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 regulations of
financial markets and institutions; the imposition of foreign
withholding taxes; and the expropriation or nationalization of foreign
issuers.
Zero
Coupons. Zero
coupons are fixed-income securities on which the holder does not receive
periodic cash payments of interest or principal.
Generally, these securities are subject to greater price volatility and lesser
liquidity in the event of adverse market conditions than
comparably rated securities paying cash interest at regular intervals.
Although a Fund will not receive cash periodic coupon payments
on these securities, the Fund may be deemed to have received interest income, or
“phantom income” during the life of the obligation.
A Fund may have to distribute such phantom income to avoid taxes at the
Fund level, although it has not received any cash
payment.
Zero
coupons are sold at a discount 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.
Each Fund intends to pass along such interest as a
component of the Fund’s distributions of net investment income.
Zero
coupons may offer investors the opportunity to earn a higher yield than that
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.
Leveraging.
Each Fund
may borrow money from a bank in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its respective 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). Each Fund will maintain asset coverage in
accordance with the 1940 Act. Leveraging portfolio
assets has speculative characteristics. The use of leverage may cause a Fund to
liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be
advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or to maintain asset
coverage. Leverage, including borrowing, may cause a Fund to be
more volatile than if the Fund had not been leveraged. This is because leverage
tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase
or decrease in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities.
Regulatory
Matters. The
Adviser, on behalf of each Fund, 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 each Fund’s operations. Therefore, neither
the Funds nor the Adviser (with respect to the Funds) is subject to
registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the
CEA. If the Adviser or a Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as
related NFA rules, the Fund may incur additional
compliance and other expenses.
Regulatory
and Legal Risk. U.S.
and non-U.S. governmental agencies and other regulators regularly implement
additional regulations
and legislators pass new laws that affect the investments held by a Fund, the
strategies used by a Fund or the level of regulation
or taxation applying to a Fund (such as regulations related to investments in
derivatives and other transactions). These regulations
and laws impact the investment strategies, performance, costs and operations of
a Fund or taxation of shareholders.
Special
Risks Related to Cyber Security.
The Trust 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 Trust and its
service providers use to service the Trust’s operations; or operational
disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating
systems that support the Trust and its service providers. Cyber attacks
against or security breakdowns of the Trust or its service
providers may adversely impact the Trust and its shareholders, potentially
resulting in, among other things, financial losses; the
inability of Fund shareholders to transact business and a Fund to
process transactions; inability to calculate a 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 Trust 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 a Fund invests, which may cause a
Fund’s investment in such issuers to lose value. There can be no assurance that
the Trust or its service providers will not suffer losses
relating to cyber attacks or other information security breaches in the
future.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The value
of your investment in a Fund is based on the values of a Fund’s investments.
These values change
daily due to economic and other events that affect markets generally, as well as
those that affect particular regions, countries, industries,
companies or governments. Price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be
greater or less depending on the types of securities
a Fund owns and the markets in which the securities trade. The increasing
interconnectivity between global economies and financial
markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or
financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different
country, region or financial market. Securities in a Fund’s portfolio may
underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation),
interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural
disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory
events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global
events similar to those in recent years, such as
terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political
discord or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result
in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global
financial markets. The occurrence of such
events may
be sudden and unexpected, and it is difficult to predict when similar events
affecting the U.S. or global financial markets may occur,
the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects. Any
such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on
the value, liquidity and risk profile of a Fund’s portfolio, as well as its
ability to sell securities to meet redemptions. There is a risk
that you may lose money by investing in a Fund.
Social,
political, economic and other conditions and events, such as war, natural
disasters, health emergencies (e.g., epidemics and pandemics),
terrorism, conflicts, social
unrest, recessions,
inflation, rapid interest rate changes and supply chain disruptions may
occur and
could significantly impact issuers, industries, governments and other systems,
including the financial markets. As global systems,
economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, events that
once had only local impact are now more likely to have
regional or even global effects. Events that occur in one country, region or
financial market will, more frequently, adversely impact
issuers in other countries, regions or markets. These impacts can be exacerbated
by failures of governments and societies to adequately
respond to an emerging event or threat. These types of events quickly and
significantly impact markets in the U.S. and across the
globe leading to extreme market volatility and disruption. The extent and nature
of the impact on supply chains or economies
and markets from these events is unknown, particularly if a health emergency or
other similar event, such as the recent COVID-19
(the “Coronavirus”) outbreak, persists for an extended period of time. Social,
political, economic and other conditions and
events, such as natural disasters, health emergencies (e.g., epidemics and
pandemics), terrorism, conflicts and social unrest, could reduce
consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel
restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant
impact on the economies and financial markets and the Adviser’s investment
advisory activities and services of other service
providers, which in turn could adversely affect a Fund’s investments and other
operations. The value of a Fund’s investment may
decrease as a result of such events, particularly if these events adversely
impact the operations and effectiveness of the Adviser or key
service providers or if these events disrupt systems and processes necessary or
beneficial to the investment advisory or other activities
on behalf a Fund.
Many
countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades,
including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS and the
Coronavirus, and may experience similar outbreaks in the future. For example,
the Coronavirus outbreak has resulted in numerous
deaths and the imposition of both local and more widespread “work from home” and
other quarantine measures, border closures
and other travel restrictions, causing social unrest and commercial disruption
on a global scale and significant volatility in financial
markets.
The
ongoing spread of the Coronavirus has had, and is expected to continue to have,
a material adverse impact on local economies in the
affected jurisdictions and also on the global economy, as cross border
commercial activity and market sentiment are increasingly impacted
by the Coronavirus and
government and other measures seeking to contain its spread. The global impact
of the Coronavirus
has continued to evolve and has, at times, created
disruption in supply chains, and adversely impacted a number
of industries,
including but not limited to retail, transportation, hospitality and
entertainment. In addition to these developments having
adverse consequences for certain companies and other issuers in which a Fund
invests and the value of a Fund’s investments therein,
the operations of the Adviser (including those relating to the Fund) could be
impacted adversely, including through quarantine
measures and travel restrictions imposed on the Adviser’s or service providers’
personnel located in affected countries, regions or
local areas, or any related health issues of such personnel. Any of the
foregoing events could materially and adversely affect the
Adviser’s ability to source, manage and divest investments on behalf of a Fund
and pursue a Fund’s investment objectives and strategies.
Similar consequences could arise with respect to other infectious diseases.
Given the significant economic and financial market
disruptions and general uncertainty associated with the Coronavirus pandemic,
the valuation and performance of the Fund’s investments
may be impacted adversely (see
“Account Policies and Features--Valuation of Shares”).
During
periods of low
interest
rates, a Fund’s susceptibility to interest rate risk (i.e., the risks associated
with changes in interest rates) may be
magnified, its yield and income may be diminished and its performance may be
adversely affected (e.g., during periods of low
interest
rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns). These levels of
interest rates may
magnify the risks associated with
rising interest rates. Changing interest rates, may have
unpredictable effects on markets, including market volatility and reduced
liquidity,
and may adversely affect a Fund’s yield, income and
performance and for a
Fund that operates as an “institutional money market
fund”, the Fund’s NAV (i.e., adversely affect and increase the volatility of the
Fund’s share price). For a Fund that operates as a money
market fund and uses the amortized cost method of valuation to seek to maintain
a stable NAV per share, a low interest rate environment
could impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00 and
the Trustees may enact certain measures
to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00.
Government
and other public debt, including municipal obligations in which a Fund may
invest, can be adversely affected by large and sudden
changes in local and global economic conditions that result in increased debt
levels. Although high levels of government and other
public debt do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, high levels
of debt may create certain systemic risks if sound debt
management practices are not implemented. A high debt level may increase market
pressures to meet an issuer’s funding needs,
which may increase borrowing costs and cause a government or public or municipal
entity to issue additional debt, thereby increasing
the risk of refinancing. A high debt level also raises concerns that the issuer
may be unable or unwilling to repay the principal
or interest on its debt, which may adversely impact instruments held by a Fund
that rely on such payments. Governmental
and
quasi-governmental responses to certain economic or other conditions may lead to
increasing government and other public debt, which
heighten these risks. Unsustainable debt levels can lead to declines in the
value of currency, and can prevent a government from
implementing effective counter-cyclical fiscal policy during economic downturns,
can generate or contribute to an economic downturn
or cause other adverse economic or market developments, such as increases in
inflation or volatility. Increasing government and other
public debt may adversely affect issuers, obligors, guarantors or instruments
across a variety of asset classes. During
periods of
controversy or uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S.
Congress to increase the statutory debt ceiling or other adverse
political or economic developments, the Adviser may take steps intended to
mitigate the associated risks to the Fund’s portfolio
(such as by investing in longer or shorter duration U.S. government securities),
which may be ineffective or otherwise adversely
impact the Fund’s performance.
LIBOR
Discontinuance or Unavailability Risk. A Fund’s
investments, payment obligations and financing terms may be based on
floating
rates, such as the London Interbank Offered Rates (collectively,
“LIBOR”), Euro
Interbank Offered Rate and other similar types of
reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). These Reference Rates are generally
intended to represent the rate at which contributing
banks may obtain short-term borrowings from each other within certain financial
markets. On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive
of the UK Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced
that the FCA will no longer persuade
nor require banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR and certain other
Reference Rates after 2021. Such
announcement
indicates that the continuation of LIBOR and other Reference Rates on the
current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed
after the end of 2021. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that LIBOR will
either cease to be provided by any administrator,
or no longer be representative for many LIBOR settings after December 31, 2021,
and for the most
widely used
tenors of U.S.
dollar LIBOR after June 30, 2023. In
addition,
in connection with supervisory guidance from regulators, many regulated
entities
have ceased to enter into new LIBOR-based contracts after January 1, 2022. These
announcements and developments and any
additional regulatory or market changes may have an
adverse impact on a Fund or
its investments.
Regulators
and market participants are currently engaged in identifying successor Reference
Rates (“Alternative Reference Rates”). Additionally,
it is expected that market participants will focus on the transition mechanisms
by which the Reference Rates in existing contracts
or instruments may be amended, whether through marketwide protocols, fallback
contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations
or amendments or otherwise, in connection with the federal Adjustable Interest
Rate (LIBOR) Act. Nonetheless, the termination
of certain Reference Rates presents risks to a Fund. At this time, it is
not possible to completely identify or predict the effect of
any such changes, any establishment of Alternative Reference Rates or any other
reforms to Reference Rates that may be enacted in
the UK or elsewhere. The elimination of a Reference Rate or any other changes or
reforms to the determination or supervision
of Reference Rates could have an adverse impact on the market for or value of
any securities or payments linked to those Reference
Rates and other financial obligations held by a Fund or on its overall
financial condition or results of operations. To identify a
successor rate for US dollar LIBOR, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee
(“ARRC”), a U.S.-based group convened by the
Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, was formed. The
ARRC has identified Secured Overnight Financing
Rate (“SOFR”) as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of
the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized
by the U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S.
Treasury backed repurchase transactions. It is expected
that a substantial portion of future floating rate investments will be linked to
SOFR or benchmark rates derived from SOFR. At
this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of the transition to these
benchmark rates.
The
transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets
that currently rely on Reference Rates to determine interest
rates. It could also lead to a reduction in the value of some Reference
Rate-based investments held by a Fund and reduce the effectiveness
of new hedges placed against existing Reference Rate-based instruments. While
market participants are endeavoring to minimize
the economic impact of the transition from Reference Rates to Alternative
Reference Rates, the transition away from LIBOR and
certain other Reference Rates could, among other negative
consequences:
■ |
Adversely
impact the pricing, liquidity, value of, return on and trading for a broad
array of financial products, including any Reference
Rate-linked securities, loans and derivatives in which a Fund may
invest; |
■ |
Require
extensive negotiations of and/or amendments to agreements and other
documentation governing Reference Rate-linked investments
products; |
■ |
Lead
to disputes, litigation or other actions with counterparties or portfolio
companies regarding the interpretation and enforceability
of “fallback” provisions that provide for an alternative reference
rate in the event of Reference Rate unavailability; or |
■ |
Cause
a Fund to incur additional costs in relation to any of the above
factors. |
The risks
associated with the above factors, including decreased liquidity, are heightened
with respect to investments in Reference Rate-based
products that do not include a fallback provision that addresses how interest
rates will be determined if LIBOR and certain
other Reference Rates stop being published. Even with some Reference Rate-based
instruments that may contemplate a scenario
where Reference Rates are no longer available by providing for an alternative
rate-setting methodology and/or increased costs for
certain Reference Rate-related instruments or financing transactions, there may
be significant uncertainty regarding the effectiveness
of any such alternative methodologies, resulting in prolonged adverse market
conditions for a Fund. In many cases, in the event
that an instrument falls back to an Alternative Reference Rate, the Alternative
Reference Rate would not perform the same
as the
Reference Rate being replaced would have and may not include adjustments to such
rates that are reflective of current economic
circumstances or differences between such rate and LIBOR. Since the usefulness
of LIBOR and certain other Reference Rates as
benchmarks could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could
occur prior to June 2023 for those Reference Rates
which are expected to be discontinued at that time. There also remains
uncertainty and risk regarding the willingness and ability of
issuers to include enhanced provisions in new and existing contracts or
instruments. In addition, when a Reference Rate is discontinued,
the Alternative Reference Rate may be lower than market expectations, which
could have an adverse impact on the value of
preferred and debt securities with floating or fixed-to-floating rate coupons.
Various pieces of legislation, including recent federal
legislation and laws enacted by the states of New York and Alabama, may affect
the transition of LIBOR-based instruments as well by
permitting trustees and calculation agents to transition instruments with no
LIBOR transition language to an Alternative Reference
Rate provided for in such legislation. Such pieces of legislation also include
safe harbors from liability, which may limit the recourse a
Fund may have if the Alternative Reference Rate does not fully compensate the
Fund for the transition of an instrument from
LIBOR. It is uncertain what impact any such legislation may have. In addition,
any Alternative Reference Rate and any pricing adjustments
imposed by a regulator or counterparties or otherwise may adversely affect a
Fund’s performance or NAV.
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES AND LIMITATIONS
Fundamental
Objectives/Limitations. Each
Fund’s investment objective has been adopted as fundamental and the Funds are
subject to
the following restrictions which are also fundamental policies and may not be
changed without the approval of the lesser of (1) at
least 67% of the voting securities of the respective Fund present at a meeting
if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more
than 50% of the outstanding voting securities
of the respective Fund.
As a
matter of fundamental policy, each Fund will not change its investment objective
and will not:
1 |
invest
in physical commodities or contracts on physical
commodities; |
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 except: (i) by purchasing debt securities in accordance with its
investment objectives and policies, or entering into repurchase
agreements, (ii) by lending its portfolio securities, and (iii) by lending
Fund assets to other Funds of the Trust, so long
as such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, or the rules and
regulations, or interpretations or orders of the SEC thereunder; |
4 |
with
respect to 75% of its assets, purchase a security if, as a result, it
would hold more than 10% (taken at the time of such investment)
of the outstanding voting securities of any
issuer; |
5 |
purchase
any securities other than obligations of U.S. regulated banks or of the
U.S. Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities,
and, with respect to the Tax-Exempt Portfolio, industrial development
bonds, if immediately after such purchase,
25% or more of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in
the securities of issuers in the same industry; there
is no limitation as to investments in bank obligations or in obligations
issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies
or instrumentalities, and, with respect to the Tax-Exempt Portfolio, to
industrial development bonds where the users of the
facilities financed by such bonds are in the same
industry; |
6 |
with
respect to 75% of its assets, purchase securities of any issuer if, as a
result, more than 5% of the Fund’s total assets, taken at market
value at the time of such investment, would be invested in the securities
of such issuer except that this restriction does not
apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities; |
7 |
borrow
money, except (i) each Fund may borrow money from a bank in an amount up
to 5% of its total assets; (ii) as a temporary
measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, or to meet redemption
requests which might otherwise require the untimely
disposition of securities; and (iii) in connection with reverse repurchase
agreements, provided that (i), (ii) and (iii) in combination
do not exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount
borrowed) less liabilities (exclusive of borrowings); |
8 |
issue
senior securities as defined in the 1940 Act except insofar as the Trust
may be deemed to have issued a senior security by reason
of (a) entering into any repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase
agreements; (b) purchasing any securities on a when-issued
or delayed delivery basis; (c) borrowing money as set forth above; or (d)
lending portfolio securities; and |
9 |
underwrite
the securities of other issuers (except to the extent that the Trust may
be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning
of the 1933 Act in connection with the disposition of restricted
securities). |
In
addition, as a non-fundamental policy, each Fund will not 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. Each Fund may invest
substantially all of its assets in a single open-end investment company or
series thereof that has substantially the same investment
objectives, policies and restrictions as the Fund.
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 a Fund’s
assets or in total or net assets of the Fund will not be
considered a violation of the restriction and the sale of securities will not be
required unless otherwise noted or required. The foregoing
does not apply to borrowings. Future series of the Trust may adopt different
limitations.
The
investment policies, limitations or practices of the Funds 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, a Fund 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. Although permitted under the fundamental policies set
forth above, the Treasury Securities Portfolio will not
lend its portfolio securities or otherwise lend its assets.
For
purposes of policies adopted in accordance with Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act,
the term “assets,” as defined in Rule 35d-1 under the
1940 Act, means net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes.
DISCLOSURE
OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The
Trust’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 Trust
portfolio holdings only if such disclosure is consistent
with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Trust’s and
the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Trust shareholders.
In no instance may the Adviser or the Trust receive compensation or any other
consideration in connection with the disclosure
of information about the portfolio securities of the Trust. Consideration
includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Trust 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
Trust 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
Trust shareholders receive non-public portfolio holdings information, except as
described below.
In order
to comply with amendments to Rule 2a-7, information concerning the Trust’s
portfolio holdings, as well as its daily weighted
average portfolio maturity and weighted average life, is posted on its public
website no later than five business days after the end of
each month. It is also the current policy of the Trust to post this information
on its website on a weekly basis. In addition, the Trust also
discloses on its website its market-based NAV, daily and weekly liquid assets
and daily net inflows and outflows as of each business
day for the preceding six months, as of the end of the preceding business day.
The market-based NAV is for informational purposes
for each of the Government Portfolio, Government Securities Portfolio, Treasury
Portfolio and Treasury Securities Portfolio,
which currently use an amortized cost valuation methodology to value underlying
securities, and the shares of these Funds generally
transact at $1.00 per share. Each of the Prime
Portfolio and Tax-Exempt Portfolio currently price and transact in its shares
at a NAV
reflecting market-based values of its portfolio holdings (i.e., at a “floating
NAV”). In the event that the Trust files information
regarding certain material events with the SEC on Form N-CR, the Trust will
disclose on its website certain information that the
Trust is required to report on Form N-CR (e.g., the imposition or termination of
a liquidity fee or redemption gate). The Trust
provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth
fiscal quarters in its Semi-Annual and Annual Reports.
Also, the Trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings information with
the SEC on Form N-MFP within five business
days after the end of each month. The SEC makes Form N-MFP filings publicly
available on its website at the same time as the filing
and a link to the SEC filing is posted on the Trust’s website.
All other
portfolio holdings information that has not been disseminated in a manner making
it available generally as described above is
non-public information for purposes of the Policy.
The Trust
also makes its complete portfolio holdings available weekly on its website, at
least two business days following the end of the prior
week. In addition, prospective investors generally may obtain holdings
information if they enter into an agreement or undertaking
to keep the information confidential.
The Trust
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 clients/shareholders
(such as redeeming shareholders in-kind), fund rating agencies, information
exchange subscribers, proxy voting or
advisory services, pricing services, consultants and analysts, portfolio
analytics providers, transition managers 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 Trust
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 Trust or the Adviser may receive non-public
portfolio holdings information without entering
into a non-disclosure agreement. Currently, these persons include (i) the Funds’
independent registered public accounting
firm (as
of the Trust’s fiscal year-end and on an as-needed basis), (ii) counsel to the
Funds (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 Trust and the third party
recipient, if these conditions for disclosure
are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which Trust
non-public portfolio holdings information is released,
and no lag period shall apply (unless otherwise indicated below).
The
Adviser may provide interest lists to broker-dealers who execute securities
transactions for the Funds 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 “Morgan Stanley
Funds”) on an aggregate, rather than a fund-by-fund
basis; (2) the interest list will not disclose portfolio holdings on a
fund-by-fund basis; (3) the interest list must not contain information
about the number or value of shares owned by a specified Morgan Stanley Fund;
(4) the interest list may identify the investment
strategy, but not the particular Morgan Stanley Funds, to which the list
relates; and (5) the interest list may not identify the
portfolio manager or team members responsible for managing the Morgan Stanley
Funds.
The Trust
may discuss or otherwise disclose performance attribution analyses (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.
Portfolio
holdings information may be provided to broker-dealers, prime brokers, futures
commission merchants, or similar providers in
connection with each Fund’s portfolio trading or operational processing
activities; such entities generally need access to such information
in the performance of their duties and responsibilities to fund service
providers and are subject to a duty of confidentiality,
including a duty not to trade on material non-public information, imposed by law
or contract. Portfolio holdings information
may also be provided to affiliates of MSIM pursuant to regulatory
requirements or for legitimate business purposes, which may
include risk management, or may be reported by each Fund’s counterparties to
certain global trade repositories pursuant to
regulatory requirements.
The
Adviser, the Trust and/or certain Funds currently have entered into ongoing
arrangements regarding the selective disclosure of complete
portfolio holdings information with the following parties:
|
|
|
Name |
Frequency1
|
Lag
Time |
Service
Providers |
|
|
State
Street Bank and Trust Company |
Daily
basis |
Daily |
BlackRock
Financial Management Inc. |
Daily
basis |
2
|
KellyCo
Marketing |
Monthly
basis and Quarterly basis |
Varying
lag times after the date of the information |
R.R.
Donnelley & Sons Company |
Monthly
basis and Quarterly basis |
Varying
lag times after the date of the information |
Portfolio
Analytics Providers |
|
|
Bloomberg
Finance, L.P. |
Daily
basis |
2
|
Abel
Noser Solutions, LLC |
Daily
basis |
Daily |
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. |
Further,
certain entities such as municipalities, which may not be authorized to enter
into a non-disclosure agreement, may enter into an
undertaking to keep any non-public holdings information
confidential.
All
disclosures of non-public portfolio holdings information made to third-parties
pursuant to the exemptions set forth in the Policy must be
reviewed and approved by the Adviser, which will also determine from
time-to-time whether such third-parties should continue
to receive portfolio holdings information.
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
Purchase
of Shares. The name
of the Fund requested should be designated on the Account Registration Form.
Each Fund reserves the right
in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the offering of its shares, (ii) to reject
purchase orders, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum
for initial and subsequent investments. The officers of the Trust may from time
to time waive the minimum initial and subsequent
investment requirements in connection with investments in the Trust by certain
investors, including but not limited to (a)
employees of the Adviser and its affiliates, and (b) other investors with whom
the Adviser wishes to develop a relationship or whose
investments are expected, over a reasonable period of time, to exceed the
minimum initial investment requirement.
Each Fund
declares dividends
daily and, therefore, at the time of a purchase, must have funds immediately
available for investment. As a
result, you must pay for shares of each Fund with Federal funds (monies credited
to the Fund’s custodian by a Federal Reserve Bank).
Investors
purchasing and redeeming shares of the Fund through a financial intermediary may
be charged a transaction-based fee or other fee
for the financial intermediary’s services. Each financial intermediary is
responsible for sending you a schedule of fees and information
regarding any additional or different conditions regarding purchases and
redemptions. Customers of financial intermediaries
should read this SAI in light of the terms governing accounts with their
organization. The Trust does not pay compensation
to or receive compensation from financial intermediaries for the sale of
Institutional Class Shares but does pay compensation
in connection with other share classes.
Neither
Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the “Distributor”) nor the Trust will be
responsible for any loss, liability, cost, or expense for acting
upon facsimile instructions or upon telephone instructions that they reasonably
believe to be genuine. In order to confirm that
telephone instructions in connection with redemptions are genuine, the Trust and
the Distributor will provide written confirmation
of transactions initiated by telephone.
Redemption
of Shares. Redemptions
are not made on days during which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is closed
or on the
following federal holidays: Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Generally, payment
for Trust shares sold will be made on the day on which
the order is processed, but under certain circumstances may not be made until
the next business day. The Trust may postpone
and/or suspend redemption and payment beyond one business day only as follows:
(a) for any period during which there is a
non-routine closure of the Federal Reserve Wire Network or applicable Federal
Reserve Banks; (b) or any period (i) during which the NYSE
is closed other than customary weekend and holiday closings or (ii) during which
trading on the New York Stock Exchange
is restricted; (c) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result
of which (i) disposal of securities owned by a Fund is
not reasonably practicable or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund
to fairly determine the NAV of shares of a Fund; (d) for
any period during which the SEC has, by rule or regulation, deemed that (i)
trading shall be restricted or (ii) an emergency exists;
(e) for any period that the SEC may by order permit; (f) the Board of Trustees
has imposed a redemption gate that temporarily suspends
the right of redemption; or (g) for any period during which the Trust as part of
a necessary liquidation of a Fund, has properly
postponed and/or suspended redemption of shares and payment in accordance with
federal securities laws. In addition, when the
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the
securities markets close early, payments with respect to
redemption requests received subsequent to the recommended close will be made
the next business day. If the NYSE is closed due
to inclement weather, technology problems or any other reason on a day it would
normally be open for business, or the NYSE has
an unscheduled early closing on a day it has opened for business, a Fund
reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and
accept purchase and redemption orders until, and calculate its NAV as of, the
normally scheduled close of regular trading on the NYSE
for that day, or such time as noted in a Fund’s Prospectus, so long as the
Adviser believes there generally remains an adequate
market to obtain reliable and accurate market quotations.
The Trust
has made an election with the SEC pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act to
pay in cash all redemptions requested by any
shareholder of record limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser
of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of a Fund at the
beginning of such period. Such commitment is irrevocable without the prior
approval of the SEC. Redemptions in excess of the above
limits may be paid in whole or in part in investment securities or in cash, as
the Trustees may deem advisable; however, payment
will be made wholly in cash unless the Trustees believe that economic or market
conditions exist which would make such a practice
detrimental to the best interests of the Trust. If redemptions are paid in
investment securities, such securities will be valued as set
forth in the Funds’ Prospectuses under “Valuation of Shares” and a redeeming
shareholder would normally incur brokerage expenses
in converting these securities to cash.
No charge
is made by the Funds for redemptions. Redemption proceeds may be more or less
than the shareholder’s cost depending on the
market value of the securities held by the Funds.
Transactions
With Brokers/Dealers. The
Trust has authorized certain brokers to receive on its behalf purchase and
redemption orders.
Some of these brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to
receive purchase and redemption orders on the Trust’s
behalf. For purposes of determining the purchase price of shares, the Trust will
be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption
order when an authorized broker, or if applicable, a broker’s authorized
designee, receives the order in proper form. In
other
words, orders will be priced at the NAV next computed after such orders are
received in proper form by an authorized broker or the
broker’s authorized designee.
ACCOUNT
POLICIES AND FEATURES
Transfer
of Shares. Shareholders
may transfer shares of the Funds to another person by written request to
Shareholder Services at Morgan
Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, c/o SS&C
Global Investor and Distribution
Solutions, Inc., P.O. Box 219804, Kansas
City, MO 64121-9804. 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 under “Redemption of Shares.” As in the case of redemptions, the
written request must be received in good order
before any transfer can be made.
Valuation
of Shares. For
the purpose of calculating the Government Portfolio’s, Government Securities
Portfolio’s, Treasury Portfolio’s
and Treasury Securities Portfolio’s NAV, securities are valued by the amortized
cost method of valuation, which does not take into
account unrealized gains or losses. This involves valuing an instrument at its
cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization
to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating
interest rates on the market value of the instrument.
While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods
during which value based on amortized cost is higher or
lower than the price these Funds would receive if they sold the
instrument.
The use of
amortized cost and the maintenance of each applicable Fund’s NAV at $1.00 is
based on its election to operate under the provisions
of Rule 2a-7. As conditions of operating under Rule 2a-7, each Fund must
maintain a dollar-weighted average Fund maturity
of 60 days or less, purchase only instruments having remaining maturities of
thirteen months or less and invest only in U.S. dollar-denominated
securities which are determined by the Trustees to present minimal credit risks
and which are of eligible quality as
determined under the rule.
The Board
adopted
procedures reasonably designed, taking into account current market conditions
and each applicable Fund’s investment
objective, to stabilize the NAV as computed for the purposes of sales and
redemptions at $1.00. These procedures include periodic
review, as the Trustees deem appropriate and at such intervals as are reasonable
in light of current market conditions, of the relationship
between the amortized cost value per share and a NAV based upon available
indications of market value. In such a review,
investments for which market quotations are readily available are fair
valued at
the most recent bid price or quoted yield equivalent
for such securities or for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type
as obtained from one or more of the major market
makers for the securities to be valued. Other investments and assets are valued
at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board.
Each Fund
relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. The ability of the Fund to
calculate the NAV per share of the Fund is subject to
operational risks associated with processing or human errors, systems or
technology failures, cyber attacks and errors caused by third
party service providers, data sources, or trading counterparties. Such failures
may result in delays in the calculation of the Fund’s NAV
and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. The Fund may
be unable to recover any losses associated
with such failures. In addition, if the third-party service providers and/or
data sources upon which the Fund directly or indirectly
relies to calculate its NAV or price individual securities are unavailable or
otherwise unable to calculate the NAV correctly, it may be
necessary for alternative procedures to be utilized to price the securities at
the time of determining the Fund’s NAV.
In
general, fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset
or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants at the measurement date. When there is no public market or
possibly no market at all for an asset, fair value
represents, in general, a good faith approximation of the current value of an
asset. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price
higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other
funds using their own fair valuation procedures
or by other investors. The fair value of an asset may not be the price at which
that asset is ultimately sold.
For each
of the applicable Funds, in the unlikely event that the
Board
are to
determine pursuant to Rule 2a-7 that the extent of the deviation
between a Fund’s amortized cost per share and its market-based NAV may result in
material dilution or other unfair results to
shareholders, the Board will cause a Fund to take such action as it deems
appropriate to eliminate or reduce to the extent practicable
such dilution or unfair results, including, but not limited to, considering
suspending redemption of shares and liquidating the Fund
under Rule 22e-3 under the 1940 Act.
In the
event of a negative interest rate environment, the net income of a Fund may fall
below zero (i.e., become negative). If this occurs, or
to the extent the deviation between a Fund’s amortized cost per share and its
market-based NAV may result in material dilution
or other unfair results to shareholders, or to the extent the deviation between
a Fund’s amortized cost per share and its market-based
NAV may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the
Trustees may enact certain measures to seek to
maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00 for each applicable Fund. These
measures may include the reduction or suspension of the
issuance of dividends, the implementation of reverse distributions or periodic
reverse share splits, as necessary in the Trustees’ judgment,
to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00. In each case, measures
taken by the Trustees in an effort to stabilize
the NAV
per share at $1.00 are subject to applicable law and the provisions of the
Fund’s organizational documents. Investments in a Fund are
subject to the potential that the Trustees may enact such measures.
A Fund may
also effect reverse distributions to offset the impact of the negative income on
a Fund’s NAV per share, thereby reducing the number
of shares outstanding and maintaining a stable NAV per share at $1.00. In a
reverse distribution, the number of shares would be
reduced on a pro rata basis from each shareholder.
If there
is a reverse share split, the number of shares of a Fund will decrease, on a pro
rata basis, as necessary to reflect the negative income of
the Fund and maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00.
Depending
on the specific measure(s) taken, these measures would result in shareholders
not receiving a dividend, holding fewer shares of
the Fund and/or experiencing a loss in the aggregate value of their investment
in the Fund. There is no assurance that the Trustees
will take such actions or that such measures will result in a stable NAV per
share of $1.00.
If the
Trustees determine that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust and
its shareholders to maintain a stable price of $1.00 per share
or if the Trustees believe that maintaining such price no longer reflects a
market-based NAV, the Trustees have the right to change
from an amortized cost basis of valuation to valuation based on market
quotations. The Trust will notify shareholders of an applicable
Fund of any such change.
Each of
the Prime
Portfolio’s and Tax-Exempt Portfolio’s investments will be valued using
market-based prices provided by an approved
pricing service/vendor and the share price of each rounded to the fourth decimal
place.
Each Fund
invests in eligible securities (“Eligible Securities”) as defined in Rule 2a-7.
An Eligible Security means a security: (i) with a remaining
maturity of 397 calendar days or less that a Trust’s Board determines presents
minimal credit risks to the Fund, which determination
must include an analysis of the capacity of the security’s issuer or guarantor
(including for this paragraph the provider of a
conditional demand feature, when applicable) to meet its financial obligations,
and such analysis must include, to the extent appropriate,
consideration of the following factors with respect to the security’s issuer or
guarantor: (a) financial condition; (b) sources of
liquidity; (c) ability to react to future market-wide and issuer- or
guarantor-specific events, including ability to repay debt in a
highly adverse situation; and (d) strength of the issuer’s or guarantor’s
industry within the economy and relative to economic trends,
and issuer’s or guarantor’s competitive position within its industry; (ii) that
is issued by a registered investment company that is a money
market fund; or (iii) that is a government security. As permitted by Rule 2a-7,
the Board has delegated to the Trust’s Adviser
the responsibility to make the above determinations pursuant to Rule
2a-7.
The
proceeds received by each Fund from the issue or sale of its shares, and all net
investment income, realized and unrealized gain and
proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, will be specifically
allocated to the Fund and constitute the underlying assets of
each Fund. The underlying assets of a Fund will be segregated on the books of
account, and will be charged with the liabilities
in respect of a Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust.
Expenses of the Trust with respect to the Fund and the
other series of the Trust are generally allocated in proportion to the NAVs of
the respective Fund except where allocations of expenses
can otherwise be fairly made.
MANAGEMENT
OF THE TRUST
Board
of Trustees
General. The Board
of Trustees of the Trust oversees the management of the Trust, but does not
itself manage the Trust. The Trustees
review various services provided by or under the direction of the Adviser to
ensure that the Trust’s general investment policies
and programs are properly carried out. The Trustees also conduct their review to
ensure that administrative services are provided
to the Trust in a satisfactory manner.
Under
state law, the duties of the Trustees are generally characterized as a duty of
loyalty and a duty of care. The duty of loyalty requires a
Trustee to exercise his or her powers in the interest of the Trust and not the
Trustee’s own interest or the interest of another
person or organization. A Trustee satisfies his or her duty of care by acting in
good faith with the care of an ordinarily prudent
person and in a manner the Trustee reasonably believes to be in the best
interest of the Trust and its shareholders.
Trustees
and Officers. The
Board of the Trust consists of eleven 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. None
of the Trustees have an affiliation or business connection
with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons or own any stock or other
securities issued by the Adviser’s parent company,
Morgan Stanley. They are the “non-interested” or “Independent” Trustees as
defined under the 1940 Act.
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 Trust 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 Trust and Trust stockholders, and to facilitate compliance
with legal and regulatory requirements and
oversight of the Trust’s activities and associated risks. The Board of Trustees
has established six standing committees: (1) Audit Committee,
(2) Governance Committee, (3) Compliance and Insurance Committee, (4) Equity
Investment Committee, (5) Fixed Income,
Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee and (6) Risk Committee, which
are each comprised exclusively of Independent
Trustees. Each committee charter governs the scope of the committee’s
responsibilities with respect to the oversight of the Trust.
The responsibilities of each committee, including their oversight
responsibilities, are described further under the caption “Independent
Trustees and the Committees.”
The Funds
are 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 Trust’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 Funds. In addition,
appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the Trust’s Chief Compliance
Officer, members of the Trust’s administration
and accounting teams, representatives from the Trust’s independent registered
public accounting firm, the Trust’s Treasurer,
portfolio management personnel, risk management personnel and independent
valuation and brokerage evaluation service providers,
make regular reports regarding the Trust’s activities and related risks to the
Board of Trustees and the committees, as appropriate.
These reports include, among others, quarterly performance reports, quarterly
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, Trust 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 Funds, and that it is
not possible to develop processes and controls to eliminate all of the risks
that may affect the Funds. Moreover, the Board recognizes
that it may be necessary for the Funds to bear certain risks (such as investment
risk) to achieve their respective investment objective.
As needed
between meetings of the Board, the Board or a specific committee receives and
reviews reports relating to the Trust and engages in
discussions with appropriate parties relating to the Trust’s operations and
related risks.
Management
Information
Trustees. The Trust
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 Trust. 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 Trust and protecting the interests of shareholders.
Information about the Trust’s Governance Committee and Board of Trustees
nomination process is provided below under the
caption “Independent Trustees and the Committees.”
The
Trustees of the Trust, their birth years, addresses, positions held, length of
time served, their principal business occupations during the
past five years and other relevant professional experience, the number of
portfolios in the Fund Complex (described below)
overseen by each Independent Trustee and other directorships, if any, held by
the Trustees, are shown below (as of December
31,
2022). 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”).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Frank
L. Bowman c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1944 |
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
Compliance and Insurance
Committee (since
October 2015); formerly,
Chairperson of
the Insurance Sub-Committee
of the Compliance
and Insurance
Committee (2007-2015);
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). |
79 |
Director
of Naval and Nuclear Technologies
LLP; Director Emeritus
of the Armed Services
YMCA; Member of the
National Security Advisory Council
of the Center for U.S. Global
Engagement and a former
member of the CNA Military
Advisory Board; Chairman
of the Board of Trustees
of Fairhaven United Methodist
Church; Member of
the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin
Scholarship Foundation;
Director of other various
nonprofit organizations;
formerly, Director
of BP, plc (November
2010-May 2019). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Frances
L. Cashman c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1961 |
Trustee |
Trustee
since March 2022 |
Chief
Executive Officer,
Asset Management
Division, Delinian
Ltd. (financial information)
(May 2021-Present);
Executive
Vice President
and various other
roles, Legg Mason
& Co. (asset management)
(2010-2020);
Managing Director,
Stifel Nicolaus
(2005-2010). |
80 |
Trustee
and Investment Committee
Member, Georgia Tech
Foundation (Since June 2019);
Trustee and Chair of Marketing
Committee, and Member
of Investment Committee,
Loyola Blakefield (Since
September 2017); Trustee,
MMI Gateway Foundation
(since September 2017);
Director and Investment
Committee Member,
Catholic Community
Foundation Board
(2012–2018); Director and
Investment Committee Member,
St. Ignatius Loyola Academy
(2011-2017). |
Kathleen
A. Dennis c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1953 |
Trustee |
Since August 2006 |
Chairperson
of the Governance
Committee
(since January
2021), Chairperson
of the Liquidity
and Alternatives
Sub-Committee
of the Investment
Committee (2006-2020)
and Director
or Trustee of various
Morgan Stanley Funds
(since August 2006);
President, Cedarwood
Associates (mutual
fund and investment
management
consulting)
(since July 2006);
formerly, Senior Managing
Director of Victory
Capital Management
(1993-2006). |
79 |
Board
Member, University of Albany
Foundation (2012-present);
Board Member, Mutual
Funds Directors Forum
(2014-present); Director
of various non-profit organizations. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Nancy
C. Everett c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1955 |
Trustee |
Since January 2015 |
Chairperson
of the Equity
Investment Committee
(since January
2021); Director
or Trustee of various
Morgan Stanley Funds
(since January 2015);
Chief Executive Officer,
Virginia Commonwealth
University
Investment Company
(since November
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). |
80 |
Formerly,
Member of Virginia Commonwealth
University School
of Business Foundation
(2005-2016); Member
of Virginia Commonwealth
University Board
of Visitors (2013-2015);
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). |
Eddie
A. Grier c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1955 |
Trustee |
Trustee
since March 2022 |
Dean,
Santa Clara University
Leavey School
of Business (since
July 2021); Dean,
Virginia Commonwealth
University
School of Business
(2010-2021); President
and various other
roles, Walt Disney
Company (entertainment
and media)
(1981-2010). |
80 |
Director,
Witt/Kieffer, Inc. (executive
search) (since 2016);
Director, NuStar GP, LLC
(energy) (since August 2021);
Director, Sonida Senior
Living, Inc. (residential community
operator) (2016-2021);
Director, NVR, Inc. (homebuilding)
(2013-2020); Director,
Middleburg Trust Company
(wealth management)
(2014-2019); Director,
Colonial Williamsburg
Company (2012-2021);
Regent, University
of Massachusetts Global
(since 2021); Director and
Chair, ChildFund International
(2012-2021); Trustee,
Brandman University (2010-2021);
Director, Richmond
Forum (2012-2019). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Jakki
L. Haussler c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1957 |
Trustee |
Since January 2015 |
Director
or Trustee of various
Morgan Stanley Funds
(since January 2015);
Chairman, Opus
Capital Group (since
1996); formerly, Chief
Executive Officer,
Opus Capital Group
(1996-2019); 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). |
80 |
Director,
Vertiv Holdings Co. (VRT)
(since August 2022); Director
of Cincinnati Bell Inc.
and Member, Audit Committee
and Chairman, Governance
and Nominating Committee
(2008-2021); Director
of Service Corporation
International and Member,
Audit Committee and
Investment Committee; Director,
Barnes Group Inc. (since
July 2021); Director of Northern
Kentucky University Foundation
and Member, Investment
Committee; Member
of Chase College of Law
Center for Law and Entrepreneurship
Board of Advisors;
Director of Best Transport
(2005-2019); Director
of Chase College of Law
Board of Visitors; formerly,
Member, University of
Cincinnati Foundation Investment
Committee. |
Dr.
Manuel H. Johnson c/o
Johnson Smick International,
Inc. 220 I
Street, NE Suite
200 Washington,
D.C. 20002 Birth
Year: 1949 |
Trustee |
Since July
1991 |
Senior
Partner, Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
(consulting firm); Chairperson
of the Fixed
Income, Liquidity
and Alternatives
Investment Committee
(since January
2021), Chairperson
of the Investment
Committee (2006-2020)
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. |
79 |
Director
of NVR, Inc. (home construction). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Joseph
J. Kearns c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1942 |
Trustee |
Since August 1994 |
Senior
Adviser, 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 (1982-1999). |
80 |
Director,
Rubicon Investments
(since February 2019);
Prior to August 2016, Director
of Electro Rent Corporation
(equipment leasing).
Prior to December 31,
2013, Director of The Ford
Family Foundation. |
Michael
F. Klein c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1958 |
Trustee |
Since August 2006 |
Chairperson
of the Risk Committee
(since January
2021); Managing
Director, Aetos
Alternatives Management,
LP (since March
2000); Co-President,
Aetos Alternatives
Management,
LP (since January
2004) and Co-Chief
Executive Officer of
Aetos Alternatives Management,
LP (since August
2013); Chairperson
of the Fixed
Income Sub-Committee
of the Investment
Committee (2006-2020)
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
and President,
various Morgan
Stanley Funds (June
1998-March 2000);
Principal, Morgan
Stanley & Co. Inc.
and Morgan Stanley
Dean Witter Investment
Management
(August 1997-December
1999). |
79 |
Director
of certain investment funds
managed or sponsored by
Aetos Alternatives Management,
LP; Director of Sanitized
AG and Sanitized Marketing
AG (specialty chemicals). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth
Year of Independent
Trustee |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past
5 Years and Other
Relevant Professional
Experience |
Number
of Funds in
Fund Complex Overseen
by Independent
Trustee |
Other
Directorships Held by Independent
Trustee During Past
5 Years** |
Patricia
A. Maleski c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1960 |
Trustee |
Since January 2017 |
Director
or Trustee of various
Morgan Stanley Funds
(since January 2017);
Managing Director,
JPMorgan Asset
Management (2004-2016);
Oversight and
Control Head of Fiduciary
and Conflicts of
Interest Program (2015-2016);
Chief Control
Officer—Global
Asset Management
(2013-2015);
President, JPMorgan
Funds (2010-2013);
Chief Administrative
Officer (2004-2013);
various other
positions including
Treasurer and
Board Liaison (since
2001). |
80 |
Trustee
(since January 2022) and
Treasurer (since January 2023,
Nutley Family Service Bureau,
Inc. |
W.
Allen Reed c/o
Perkins Coie LLP Counsel
to the Independent
Trustees 1155
Avenue of the Americas 22nd
Floor New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1947 |
Chair
of the Board and Trustee |
Chair
of the Board since
August 2020 and Trustee
since August 2006 |
Chair
of the Boards of various
Morgan Stanley Funds
(since August 2020);
Director or Trustee
of various Morgan
Stanley Funds (since
August 2006); formerly,
Vice Chair of the
Boards of various Morgan
Stanley Funds (January
2020-August 2020);
President and Chief
Executive Officer 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). |
79 |
Formerly,
Director of Legg Mason,
Inc. (2006-2019); and Director
of the Auburn University
Foundation (2010-2015). |
* |
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 Trust, their birth years, addresses, positions held,
length of time served and their principal business occupations
during the past five years are shown below (as of December
31,
2022).
Executive
Officers
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth Year
of Executive Officer |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
John
H. Gernon 522
Fifth Avenue New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1963 |
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 Public Markets Product Development
(since
2006). |
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address and Birth Year
of Executive Officer |
Position(s)
Held with Registrant |
Length
of Time Served* |
Principal
Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Deidre
A. Downes 1633
Broadway New
York, NY 10019 Birth
Year: 1977 |
Chief
Compliance Officer |
Since
November 2021 |
Executive
Director of the Adviser (since January 2021) and Chief Compliance
officer
of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since November 2021). Formerly, Vice
President
and Corporate Counsel at PGIM and Prudential Financial (October
2016
– December 2020). |
Francis
J. Smith 522
Fifth Avenue New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1965 |
Treasurer
and Principal
Financial Officer |
Treasurer
since July 2003
and Principal Financial
Officer since September
2002 |
Managing
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 1633
Broadway New
York, NY 10019 Birth
Year: 1967 |
Secretary |
Since
June 1999 |
Managing
Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds
(since
June 1999). |
Michael
J. Key 522
Fifth Avenue New
York, NY 10036 Birth
Year: 1979 |
Vice
President |
Since
June 2017 |
Vice
President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various
money
market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex
(since
June 2017); Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development
for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August
2013). |
* |
This
is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds.
Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected
and has qualified. |
In
addition, the following individuals who are officers of the Adviser or who are
officers of its affiliates serve as assistant secretaries of the Trust:
Nicholas
Di Lorenzo, Princess
Kludjeson, Francesca Mead, Sydney
A. Walker and Jill
R. Whitelaw.
It is a
policy of the Trust’s Board that each Trustee shall invest in any combination of
the Morgan Stanley Funds that the Trustee determines
meets his or her own specific investment objectives, without requiring any
specific investment in any particular Fund.
For each
Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee
in the Funds 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,
2022 is set
forth in the table below.
|
|
|
Name
of Trustee |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Funds (as
of December 31, 2022) |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered
Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee
in Family of Investment Companies (as of December
31, 2022) |
Independent: |
|
|
Frank
L. Bowman |
None |
over
$100,000 |
Frances
L. Cashman1
|
None |
None |
Kathleen
A. Dennis |
None |
over
$100,000 |
Nancy
C. Everett |
None |
over
$100,000 |
Eddie
A. Grier1
|
None |
None |
Jakki
L. Haussler |
None |
over
$100,000 |
Manuel
H. Johnson |
None |
over
$100,000 |
Joseph
J. Kearns2
|
None3
|
over
$100,000 |
Michael
F. Klein2
|
None |
over
$100,000 |
Patricia
Maleski |
None3
|
over
$100,000 |
W.
Allen Reed2
|
None |
over
$100,000 |
1 |
Ms.
Cashman and Mr. Grier became members of the Advisory Board of the Board of
Trustees on January 1, 2022, and Trustees on March 31,
2022. |
2 |
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. |
3 |
Joseph
J. Kearns—Treasury Securities Portfolio (over $100,000); and Patricia
Maleski—Prime Portfolio (over $100,000). |
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 Trust, 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 Trust.
As of
February 1, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less
than 1% of any class of the outstanding shares of
beneficial interest of each Fund.
Independent
Trustees and the Committees
Law and
regulation establish both general guidelines and specific duties for the
Independent Trustees. The Board has six committees: (1) Audit
Committee, (2) Governance Committee, (3) Compliance and Insurance Committee, (4)
Equity Investment Committee, (5) Fixed
Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee and (6) Risk
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. Most of
the retail Morgan Stanley Funds have a Rule 12b-1 plan.
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 “1934 Act”). The Audit
Committee is charged with recommending to the full Board the
engagement or discharge of the Trust’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 Trust’s system of internal
controls and reviewing the valuation process. The Trust
has adopted a formal, written Audit Committee Charter.
The
members of the Audit Committee of the Trust are Nancy C. Everett, Eddie A.
Grier, Jakki L.
Haussler and Joseph J. Kearns. None of
the members of the Trust’s Audit Committee is an “interested person,” as defined
under the 1940 Act, of the Trust (with such
disinterested Trustees being “Independent Trustees” or individually,
an
“Independent
Trustee”). Each Independent Trustee is also
“independent” from the Trust under the listing standards of the NYSE. The
Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Trust is Jakki L.
Haussler.
The Board
of Trustees of the Trust also has a Governance Committee. The Governance
Committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as
Independent Trustees on the Trust’s Board and on committees of the Board and
recommends such qualified individuals for nomination
by the Trust’s Independent Trustees as candidates for election as Independent
Trustees, advises the Trust’s Board with respect to
Board composition, procedures and committees, develops and recommends to the
Trust’s Board a set of corporate governance
principles applicable to the Trust, monitors and makes recommendations on
corporate governance matters and policies and
procedures of the Trust’s Board of Trustees and any Board committees and
oversees periodic evaluations of the Trust’s Board and its
committees. The members of the Governance Committee of the Trust are Kathleen A.
Dennis, Manuel H. Johnson, Michael F. Klein,
Patricia A.
Maleski
and W. Allen Reed, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. In addition, W. Allen
Reed (as Chair of the Morgan
Stanley Funds) periodically may attend other operating Committee meetings. The
Chairperson of the Governance Committee
is Kathleen A. Dennis.
The Trust
does not have a separate nominating committee. While the Trust’s Governance
Committee recommends qualified candidates
for nominations as Independent Trustees, the Board of Trustees of the Trust
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, all the
Independent Trustees participate in the selection
and nomination of candidates for election as Independent Trustees for the Trust.
Persons recommended by the Trust’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 Trust, 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 Trust
expect to be able to continue to identify from their own resources an ample
number of qualified candidates for the Trust’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.”
The Board
formed the Compliance and Insurance Committee to address insurance coverage and
oversee the compliance function for the Trust
and the Board. The Compliance and Insurance Committee consists of Frank L.
Bowman, Kathleen A. Dennis and Patricia A.
Maleski,
each of whom is an Independent Trustee. The Chairperson of the Compliance and
Insurance Committee is Frank L. Bowman.
The Equity
Investment Committee and the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment
Committees oversee the Trust’s portfolio
investment process and review the performance of the Trust’s investments. The
Equity Investment Committee and the Fixed
Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committees also recommend to the
Board to approve or renew the Trust’s Investment
Advisory and Administration Agreements. Each Investment Committee focuses on the
Trust’s primary areas of investment,
namely equities, fixed income, liquidity and alternatives. Kathleen A. Dennis,
Nancy C. Everett, Eddie A.
Grier, Jakki L.
Haussler
and Michael F. Klein are members of the Equity Investment Committee. The
Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee
is Nancy C. Everett. Frank L. Bowman, Frances L.
Cashman, Manuel H.
Johnson, Joseph J. Kearns and Patricia A.
Maleski
are members of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment
Committee. The Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity
and Alternatives Investment Committee is Manuel H. Johnson.
The Risk
Committee assists the Board in connection with the oversight of the Trust’s
risks, including investment risks, operational risks and
risks posed by the Trust’s service providers as well as the effectiveness of the
guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring
and mitigating such risks. The members of the Risk Committee of the Trust are
Frances L.
Cashman, Manuel H.
Johnson,
Michael F. Klein and W. Allen Reed, each of whom is an Independent Trustee. The
Chairperson of the Risk Committee is Michael F.
Klein.
During the
Trust’s fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Board of Trustees held the following meetings:
|
|
Board
of Trustees/Committee |
Number
of Meetings |
Board
of Trustees |
6 |
Audit
Committee |
4 |
Governance
Committee |
4 |
Compliance
and Insurance Committee |
4 |
Equity
Investment Committee |
5 |
Fixed
Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee |
5 |
Risk
Committee |
4 |
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
funds in the Fund Complex, where he serves as Chairperson of the Compliance and
Insurance Committee (and formerly served as
Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance
Committee). Mr. Bowman also serves as a Director
of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP and Director Emeritus for the Armed
Services YMCA, and formerly served as a Director
of BP, plc. Mr. Bowman serves as a Chairman of the
Board of
Trustees 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, a former
member of
the CNA
Military Advisory Board and a member of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
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 more
than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, Ms. Cashman
possesses valuable insights and expertise regarding
governance, marketing, communications, and strategy. Ms. Cashman is Chief
Executive Officer of the Asset Management Division
of Delinian Ltd. Prior to that, Ms. Cashman spent over 20 years at Legg Mason
& Co., ultimately serving as Executive Vice President
and Global Head of Marketing and Communications. She has gained valuable
experience as Director of two investment management
entities and as a distribution leader reporting to boards of other mutual funds.
In addition, Ms. Cashman also serves as Trustee
for the Georgia Tech Foundation and the MMI Gateway Foundation.
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 Governance 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. Ms.
Everett serves as the Chairperson of the Equity Investment Committee.
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.
During the
course of a career spanning more than 40 years in both academia and industry,
Mr. Grier has gained substantial experience
in management, operations, finance, marketing, and oversight. Mr. Grier is the
Dean of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of
Business. Prior to that, Mr. Grier was the Dean of the Virginia Commonwealth
University School of Business. Before joining
academia, Mr. Grier spent 29 years at the Walt Disney Company where he served in
various leadership roles, including as President
of the Disneyland Resort. Mr. Grier also gained substantial oversight experience
serving on the boards of Sonia Senior Living,
Inc. (formerly, Capital Senior Living Corporation), NVR, Inc., and Middleburg
Trust Company. In addition, Mr. Grier
currently
serves as a Director of Witt/Kieffer, Inc., Director of NuStar GP, LLC, and
Regent of University of Massachusetts Global. Mr. Grier
is also a Certified Public Accountant.
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 Trust’s Board,
where she
serves as the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. 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) and a licensed attorney in the State of Ohio
(inactive). The Board
has determined that Ms. Haussler is an “audit committee financial expert” as
defined by the SEC.
In
addition to his tenure as a Director or Trustee of various other funds in the
Fund Complex, where he currently
serves as the Chairperson
of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee and
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 Fund Complex, including by
previously 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 previously served as a Director of Electro Rent Corporation
and previously served as Director of The Ford
Family Foundation.
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 provide management
input and investment guidance to the Board. Mr.
Klein is the
Chairperson of the Risk Committee. Mr. Klein also has
extensive experience in the investment management industry
based on his current positions as Managing Director and Co-Chief Executive and
Co-President of Aetos Alternatives Management,
LP and as a Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos
Alternatives Management, LP. In addition,
he also has experience as a member of the board of other funds in the Fund
Complex.
Ms.
Maleski has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and
extensive experience with registered investment companies.
Ms. Maleski began her career as a certified public accountant at Price
Waterhouse LLP (“PW”) and was a member of PW’s
Investment Company Practice. After a brief stint at the Bank of New York, Ms.
Maleski began her affiliation with the JPMorgan
Funds, at the Pierpont Group, and then with J.P. Morgan Investment Management
Inc. From 2001-2013, Ms. Maleski held roles
with increasing responsibilities, from Vice President and Board Liaison,
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer, Chief Administrative
Officer and finally President and Principal Executive Officer for the JPMorgan
Fund complex. Between 2013 and 2016, Ms.
Maleski served as Global Head of Oversight and Control of JPMorgan Asset
Management and then as Head of JPMorgan Chase’s
Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program. Ms. Maleski has extensive
experience in the management and operation of funds in
addition to regulatory and accounting and valuation matters.
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 Chair
of the Board and as Trustee or Director of other funds in
the Fund Complex. Mr. Reed also gained substantial experience in the financial
services industry through his prior positions as a
Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and as President and CEO of General Motors Asset
Management.
The
Trustees’ principal occupations and other relevant professional experience
during the past five years or more are shown in the above
tables.
The Board
has adopted a policy that Board members are expected to retire no later than the
end of the year they reach the age of 78. The
Governance Committee has discretion to grant waivers from this retirement policy
under special circumstances, including for Board
members to continue serving in Chair or Chair-related roles beyond the
retirement age. Current Board members who reached
the age of
75 as of January 1, 2021, are grandfathered as exceptions to the retirement
policy and may continue to serve on the Board until the
end of the year in which they turn 80 years of age.
Advantages
of Having the Same Individuals as Trustees for the Morgan Stanley
Funds. The
Independent Trustees and the Trust’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
Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or
agent of the Trust is
liable to the Trust or to a shareholder, nor is any Trustee, officer, employee
or agent liable to any third persons in connection with the
affairs of the Trust, 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 Trust property for satisfaction of
claims
arising in connection with the affairs of the Trust. 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 Trust.
Shareholder
Communications.
Shareholders may send communications to the Trust’s Board of Trustees.
Shareholders should send communications
intended for the Trust’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 Board (or individual Board members)
and by sending the communication to either the Trust’s office or directly to
such Board member(s) at the address specified for each
Trustee previously noted. Other shareholder communications received by the Trust
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
Each Trustee
(except for the Chair of the Boards) receives an annual retainer fee of
$335,000
($295,000 prior to
January 1, 2023) for
serving as
a Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Funds.
The Audit
Committee Chairperson receives an additional annual retainer fee of $80,000, the
Risk Committee Chairperson, the Equity
Investment Committee Chairperson, Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives
Investment Committee Chairperson and Governance
Committee Chairperson each receive an additional annual retainer fee of $50,000
and the Compliance and Insurance Committee
Chairperson receives an additional annual retainer fee of $65,000. 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 of the Morgan Stanley Funds
based on the relative net assets of each of the funds. The Chair of the Boards
receives a total annual retainer fee of $630,000
($590,000 prior to
January 1, 2023) for his
services and for administrative services provided to each Board.
The Trust
also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by them in connection with attending such
meetings. Trustees of the Trust who are employed by the Adviser receive no
compensation or expense reimbursement from the Trust for
their services as a Trustee.
Effective
April 1, 2004, the Trust 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 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
Trust.
Prior to
April 1, 2004, the Trust 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 Trust’s
Trustees from the Trust for the fiscal year ended October
31, 2022 and the
aggregate compensation payable to each of the Trust’s Trustees by the Fund
Complex (which includes all of the
Morgan Stanley Funds) for the calendar year ended December 31,
2022.
|
|
|
COMPENSATION1
|
Name
of Independent Trustee: |
Aggregate
Compensation From
the Trust2
|
Total
Compensation From
Trust and Fund
Complex Paid to
the Trustees3
|
Frank
L. Bowman |
$
295,718 |
$
360,000 |
|
|
|
COMPENSATION1 |
Frances
L. Cashman4
|
242,462 |
295,000 |
Kathleen
A. Dennis |
283,396 |
345,000 |
Nancy
C. Everett |
283,126 |
345,000 |
Eddie
A. Grier4
|
242,462 |
295,000 |
Jakki
L. Haussler |
242,105 |
295,000 |
Manuel
H. Johnson |
283,396 |
345,000 |
Joseph
J. Kearns2,3
|
307,780 |
375,000 |
Michael
F. Klein2,3
|
283,380 |
345,000 |
Patricia
Maleski |
242,105 |
295,000 |
W.
Allen Reed3
|
484,615 |
590,000 |
1 |
Includes
all amounts paid for serving as director/trustee of the funds in the Fund
Complex, as well as serving as Chair of the Boards or a Chairperson of a
Committee. |
2 |
The
amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation before
deferral with respect to the Trust’s fiscal year. The following Trustees
deferred compensation
from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31,
2022: Mr.
Kearns, $131,297, and
Mr. Klein, $283,380. |
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,
2022
before deferral by
the Trustee under the DC Plan. As of December 31,
2022, the
value (including interest) of the deferral accounts across the Fund
Complex for Messrs. Kearns, Klein
and Reed pursuant to the deferred compensation plans was
$1,003,275, $3,052,005 and $3,795,878,
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.
Cashman and Mr. Grier became members of the Advisory Board of the Board of
Trustees on January 1, 2022, and Trustees on March 31,
2022. |
Prior to
December 31, 2003, 49 of the Morgan Stanley Funds (the “Adopting Funds”), not
including the Trust, 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.
The
following table illustrates the retirement benefits accrued to the Trust’s
Independent Trustees by the Adopting Funds for the calendar
year ended December 31, 2022, 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.
|
|
|
Name
of Independent Trustee |
Retirement
Benefits Accrued as Fund Expenses By
All Adopting Funds1
|
Estimated
Annual Benefits Upon Retirement2
From
All Adopting Funds |
Manuel
H. Johnson |
$(5,498) |
$55,816 |
1 |
Mr.
Johnson’s retirement expenses are negative due to the fact that his
retirement date has been extended and therefore his expenses have been
over
accrued. |
2 |
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. |
Code
of Ethics
The Trust,
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 of
Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased, sold
or held by the Trust, 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.
ADVISER
The
Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley (NYSE: “MS”), a
preeminent global financial securities 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 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, 2022, the
Adviser, together with its
affiliated asset management companies, had approximately
$1.3 trillion
in assets under management or supervision.
The
Adviser provides investment advice and portfolio management services pursuant to
an Investment Advisory Agreement and, subject to
the control and supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees, makes each Fund’s
day-to-day investment decisions, arranges for the
execution of portfolio transactions and generally manages each Fund’s
investments.
As
compensation for the services rendered by the Adviser under the Agreement and
the assumption by the Adviser of the expenses related
thereto (other than the cost of securities purchased for each Fund and the taxes
and brokerage commissions, if any, payable in
connection
with the purchase and/or sale of such securities), each Fund pays the Adviser
monthly compensation calculated daily by applying
the annual rate of 0.15% to each Fund’s daily net assets.
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management Inc., as the Adviser and the Administrator, has
agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration
fee and/or reimburse certain expenses to the extent necessary so that total
annual operating expenses of each Institutional
Class, Institutional Select Class, Investor Class, Administrative Class,
Advisory Class, Participant Class, Cash Management
Class, Select Class, CastleOak Class and Impact Class will not exceed
0.20%, 0.25%, 0.30%, 0.35%, 0.45%, 0.70% (0.45%
with respect to Government Securities Portfolio, which includes a waiver in
which the Fund’s Distributor has agreed to waive 0.15% of
the 0.25% 12b-1 fee and 0.10% of the 0.25% Shareholder Service Fee that it may
receive), 0.35%, 1.00%, 0.20% and 0.20% of
their average daily net assets, respectively. In determining the actual amount
of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for a
Fund, if any, the Adviser and Administrator exclude from total annual fund
operating expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses (as
applicable), certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other
extraordinary expenses (including litigation). If these expenses
were included, each Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses after fee
waivers and/or reimbursements would exceed the percentage
limits stated above. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements will continue
for at least one year from the date of the applicable
Prospectus or until such time as the Trust’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 Distributor, Adviser and
Administrator may also waive distribution fees,
advisory fees, administration fees and/or reimburse expenses to enable a Fund to
maintain a minimum level of daily net investment
income. Furthermore, the Adviser and Administrator may make additional voluntary
fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements.
The Distributor, Adviser and Administrator may discontinue these voluntary fee
waivers and/or expense reimbursements
at any time in the future.
The
following table reflects for each Fund (i) the advisory fee paid; and (ii) the
advisory fee waived and/or affiliated rebates for each of the
past three fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2021
and 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory
Fees Paid (After
Fee Waivers and/or Affiliated
Rebates) |
Advisory
Fees Waived |
Affiliated
Rebates |
Fund |
2020 (000) |
2021 (000) |
2022 (000) |
2020 (000) |
2021 (000) |
2022 (000) |
2020 (000) |
2021 (000) |
2022 (000) |
Prime
Portfolio |
$12,556 |
$11,780 |
$13,290 |
$12,691 |
$12,851 |
$7,897 |
— |
— |
— |
Government
Portfolio |
98,449 |
15,071 |
98,943 |
29,887 |
170,784 |
127,295 |
— |
— |
— |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
5,477 |
976 |
9,479 |
1,892 |
16,447 |
12,192 |
— |
— |
— |
Treasury
Portfolio |
38,273 |
7,459 |
34,644 |
5,625 |
48,913 |
25,804 |
— |
— |
— |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
48,755 |
7,342 |
40,596 |
9,074 |
77,251 |
36,118 |
— |
— |
— |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
79 |
0 |
0 |
671 |
433 |
437 |
— |
— |
— |
The Trust
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 Trust expenses are, in turn, allocated to each Fund, based
on their relative net assets. Each Fund bears its own
advisory fees, brokerage
commissions and transfer taxes in connection with acquiring
and disposing of its
investment securities.
The
Agreement continues for successive one-year
periods only if each renewal is specifically approved by an in-person vote of
the Trust’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 Funds; in such event, continuance shall be effected
only if approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of each Fund. If the holders of a Fund fail
to approve the Agreement, the Adviser may continue to serve as investment
adviser to each Fund that approved the Agreement,
and to any Fund that did not approve the Agreement until new arrangements have
been made. The Agreement is automatically
terminated if assigned, and may be terminated by a Fund 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 Trust on sixty (60) days’ written
notice to the Adviser or (3) by the Adviser without the payment of any penalty,
upon ninety (90) days’ written notice to the Trust.
Proxy
Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record
The Board
of Trustees believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Trust
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 Trust’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/liquidity. The Trust’s proxy
voting record is also available without charge on the
SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
PRINCIPAL
UNDERWRITER
Morgan
Stanley Distribution, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan
Stanley, with its principal office at 522 Fifth Avenue,
New York, NY 10036, distributes the shares of each Fund. Under the Distribution
Agreement, the Distributor, as agent of the Trust,
agrees to use its best efforts as sole distributor of each Fund’s shares. The
Distribution Agreement continues in effect so long as
such continuance is approved at least annually by the Trust’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 each Fund will
bear the costs of registering its
shares with the SEC and various states and printing
its
prospectuses, statements of additional
information and reports to shareholders.
SERVICE
AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Administration
Plans
The Trust
has entered into an Administration Plan with respect to its Institutional Select
Class Shares to pay the Distributor to compensate
Service Organizations (defined below) who provide administrative services to
shareholders. Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of
the Institutional Select Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a
monthly administration fee at an
annual rate of
0.05% of
each Fund’s average daily net assets of Institutional Select Class Shares owned
beneficially by the customers of such Service Organizations
during such period, to compensate Service Organizations for providing the
following services: processing and issuing confirmations
concerning shareholder orders to purchase, redeem and exchange shares of such
class; receiving and transmitting funds representing
the purchase price or redemption proceeds of such shares; and forwarding
shareholder communications such as prospectus
updates, proxies and shareholder reports.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022,
the Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Institutional Select Class paid $4,175,
$7,248,169,
$16,
$3,788,783,
$140,167
and $18
respectively, to compensate
the Distributor pursuant to the Institutional Select Class Administration Plan
and such payments reflect a waiver of
$1,014,
$4,623,663,
$10,
$2,886,658,
$130,750 and
$8
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various
Fund
administration activities performed on behalf of the Trust.
The Trust
also has entered into an Administration Plan with respect to its Investor Class
Shares to pay the Distributor to compensate Service
Organizations who provide administrative services to shareholders. Under the
Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Investor Class Shares, is
authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly administration fee at an
annual rate of 0.10%
of each Fund’s average daily net assets of
Investor Class Shares owned beneficially by the customers of such Service
Organizations during such period, to compensate Service
Organizations for making available the following services: (a) acting, or
arranging for another party to act, as recordholder and nominee of
all shares of such class beneficially owned by shareholders of the Trust; (b)
providing sub-accounting with respect to shares of
such class of a Fund beneficially owned by shareholders or the information
necessary for sub-accounting, including establishing
and maintaining individual accounts and records with respect to shares of such
class owned by each shareholder; (c) processing
and issuing confirmations concerning shareholder orders to purchase, redeem and
exchange shares of such class; (d) providing
periodic statements to each shareholder showing account balances and
transactions during the relevant period; and (e) processing
dividend payments.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022,
the Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Investor Class paid $0, $1,818,876,
$32,
$76,414,
$32 and $0,
respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant
to the Investor Class Administration Plan and such payments reflect a waiver of
$0, $625,290,
$19,
$33,569,
$19,
and $0,
respectively.
These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various Fund administration
activities performed on behalf of the Trust.
The Trust
has entered into an Administration Plan with respect to its Administrative Class
Shares to pay the Distributor to compensate
Service Organizations who provide administrative services to shareholders. Under
the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Administrative
Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly administration fee
which shall not exceed during any one year 0.15%
of the average daily net assets of Administrative Class Shares owned
beneficially by the customers of such Service Organizations
during such period. An initial 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the
Administrative Class Shares will be assessed for making
available the services listed in (a) through (e) above; an additional 0.05% of
the average daily net assets of the Administrative
Class Shares will be assessed for making available the following shareholder
administration services: (f) receiving, tabulating
and transmitting proxies; (g) responding to shareholder inquiries relating to
such class of shares or these services; and (h) providing
sweep services (“Sweep Services”) which may include: (i) providing the necessary
computer hardware and software which links the
service organization to an account management system; (ii) providing software
that aggregates a shareholder’s orders and establishes
an order to purchase or redeem shares of a Fund based on established target
levels for the shareholder’s demand deposit
accounts;
(iii) providing periodic statements showing a shareholder’s account balance and,
to the extent practicable, integrating such information
with other shareholder transactions otherwise effected through or with the
Service Organization; and (iv) furnishing (either
separately or on an integrated basis with other reports sent to a shareholder by
the Service Organization) monthly and year-end
statements and confirmations of purchases, exchanges and
redemptions.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Administrative Class paid $0, $342,948,
$48,
$6,497,
$14,426 and $0,
respectively, to compensate the Distributor
pursuant to the Administrative Class Administration Plan and such payments
reflect a waiver of $0, $200,847,
$29,
$1,820,
$9,914 and $0,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various Fund
administration activities performed
on behalf of the Trust.
Service
Organizations include institutions that (i) act directly or indirectly as
nominees and recordholders of shares of each class for their
respective customers who are or may become beneficial owners of such shares;
(ii) provide services to other Service Organizations
intended to facilitate or improve a Service Organization’s services to
shareholders of the Funds with respect to the Funds;
and/or (iii) perform certain account administration services with respect to the
shareholders pursuant to agreements between the Trust,
on behalf of the respective class of each Fund, and such Service
Organizations.
Service
and Shareholder Administration Plan
The Trust
has also entered into a Service and Shareholder Administration Plan with respect
to its Advisory Class Shares to pay the Distributor
to compensate Service Organizations who provide administrative services to
shareholders. Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of
the Advisory Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly
service fee which shall not exceed during any one year 0.25%
of the average daily net assets of Advisory Class Shares owned beneficially by
the customers of such Service Organizations during
such period. An initial 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Advisory
Class Shares will be assessed for making available the
services listed in (a) through (e) above; an additional 0.05% of the average
daily net assets of the Advisory Class Shares will be assessed
for providing some or all of the services listed in (f) through (h) above; and
an additional 0.10% of the average daily net assets of
the Advisory Class Shares will be assessed for making available some or all of
the following shareholder services: (i) providing facilities
to answer inquiries and respond to correspondence with shareholders of the Trust
and other investors about the status of their
accounts or about other aspects of the Trust or the applicable Fund; (j) acting
as liaison between shareholders and the Trust, including
obtaining information from the Trust and assisting the Trust in correcting
errors and resolving problems; (k) assisting shareholders
of the Trust in completing application forms, selecting dividend and other
account options and opening custody accounts
with the Service Organization; and (l) displaying and making prospectuses
available to existing shareholders on the Service Organization’s
premises.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Advisory Class paid $908,
$2,450,995,
$59,723,
$783,909,
$44,899 and $0,
respectively, to compensate the
Distributor pursuant to the Advisory Class Service and Shareholder
Administration Plan and such payments reflect a waiver of $1,635,
$1,711,181,
$44,483,
$570,669,
$62,820 and $0,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for shareholder
administration-related and personal and account maintenance services performed
on behalf of the Trust.
Shareholder
Service Plans
The Trust
has entered into a Shareholder Service Plan with respect to its Participant
Class Shares to pay the Distributor to provide for, or to
compensate Service Organizations for providing personal and account maintenance
services and administrative services to shareholders.
Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Participant Class Shares, is
authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly service
fee which shall not exceed during any one year 0.25% of the average daily net
assets of Participant Class Shares owned beneficially
by the customers of such Service Organizations during such period. Such service
fee is assessed as follows: an initial 0.10% of
the average daily net assets of the Participant Class Shares will be assessed
for making available the services listed in (a) through
(e) above; an additional 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the
Participant Class Shares will be assessed for making available
the services listed in (f) through (h) above; and an additional 0.10% of the
average daily net assets of the Participant Class Shares
will be assessed for making available some or all of the services listed in (i)
through (l) above. With respect to the Government Securities
Portfolio, the Trust’s Distributor has agreed to waive 0.10% of the 0.25%
Shareholder Service Fee that it may receive. This waiver
will continue for at least one year from the date of the applicable Prospectus
or until such time as the Trust’s Board of Trustees
acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems such action is
appropriate.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022,
the Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Participant Class paid $0,
$3,087,813,
$7,720,112,
$3,040,536,
$236 and $0,
respectively, to compensate the
Distributor pursuant to the Participant Class Shareholder Service Plan and
reflect a waiver of $0,
$2,423,920,
$25,824,566,
$4,117,395,
$171 and $0,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for
shareholder administration-related and personal
and account maintenance services performed on behalf of the Trust.
The Trust
has also entered into a Shareholder Service Plan with respect to its Cash
Management Class Shares to pay the Distributor to
compensate Service Organizations who provide administrative services to
shareholders. Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the
Cash
Management Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly service
fee which shall be assessed at an annual rate of 0.05% of
the average daily net assets of Cash Management Class Shares owned beneficially
by the customers of such Service Organizations
during such period, to compensate Service Organizations for staffing and
maintaining call centers and answering inquiries
and addressing issues related to the Cash Management Share Class.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Cash Management Class paid $1,628,
$799,
$101,
$3,793,
$2,940 and
$1,130,
respectively, to compensate the
Distributor pursuant to the Cash Management Class Shareholder Service Plan and
reflect a waiver of $954,
$778,
$61,
$2,949,
$1,821 and
$733,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for
shareholder administration-related and personal and
account maintenance services performed on behalf of the Trust.
The Trust
has also entered into a Shareholder Service Plan with respect to its Select
Class Shares to pay the Distributor to provide for, or to
compensate Service Organizations for providing personal and account maintenance
services and administrative services to shareholders.
Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Select Class Shares, is authorized
to pay the Distributor a monthly service fee which
shall not exceed during any one year 0.25% of the average daily net assets of
Select Class Shares owned beneficially by the customers
of such Service Organizations during such period. Such service fee is assessed
as follows: an initial 0.10% of the average daily net
assets of the Select Class Shares will be assessed for making available the
services listed in (a) through (d) above; an additional
0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Select Class Shares will be
assessed for making available the services listed in (f) through
(h) above; and an additional 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Select
Class Shares will be assessed for making available
some or all of the services listed in (i) through (l) above.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Select Class paid
$65,
$63 and
$63,
respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Select Class
Shareholder Service Plan and reflect a waiver of
$62,
$63 and
$64,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for
shareholder administration-related and personal
and account maintenance services performed on behalf of the Trust.
Distribution
Plans
The Trust
has also entered into a Distribution Plan with respect to its Participant Class
Shares to pay the Distributor to provide for, or to
compensate Service Organizations for providing distribution-related services.
Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Participant
Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly distribution fee
which shall not exceed during any one year 0.25%
(which is assessed annually) of the average daily net assets of Participant
Class Shares owned beneficially by the customers of such
Service Organizations during such period. Distribution-related services for
which the Distributor or a Service Organization may be
compensated include any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in
the sale of Participant Class shares, including, but not
limited to: distribution of sales literature and advertising materials and
compensation to broker-dealers who sell Participant Class shares.
The Distributor may negotiate with any such broker-dealer the services to be
provided by the broker-dealer to shareholders in connection
with the sale of Participant Class shares, and all or any portion of the
compensation paid to the Distributor pursuant to this
Distribution Plan may be reallocated by the Distributor to broker-dealers who
sell shares. The Trust, on behalf of the Participant Class
Shares, has adopted this Plan in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act which regulates circumstances
under which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses
relating to the distribution of shares. The Distributor
may retain any portion of the fees it does not expend in meeting its obligations
to the Trust. With respect to the Government
Securities Portfolio, the Trust’s Distributor has agreed to waive 0.15% of the
0.25% 12b-1 Fee that it may receive. This waiver
will continue for at least one year from the date of the applicable Prospectus
or until such time as the Trust’s Board of Trustees
acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waiver when it deems such action is
appropriate.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022,
the Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Participant Class paid $0,
$3,087,813,
$7,720,112, $3,040,536, $236 and $0,
respectively, to compensate the
Distributor pursuant to the Participant Class Distribution Plan and reflect a
waiver of $0,
$2,423,920,
$25,824,566,
$4,117,395,
$171 and $0,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various
Fund administration activities performed on behalf of
the Trust.
The Trust
has also entered into a Distribution Plan with respect to its Cash Management
Class Shares to pay the Distributor to provide
for, or to compensate Service Organizations for providing distribution-related
services. Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the
Cash Management Class Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly
distribution fee which shall not exceed during any one
year 0.10% (which is assessed annually) of the average daily net assets of Cash
Management Class Shares owned beneficially by the
customers of such Service Organizations during such period. Distribution-related
services for which the Distributor may be compensated
include any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of
Cash Management Class Shares including, but not
limited to, printing and distribution of sales literature and advertising
materials, and compensation to broker-dealers who sell Cash
Management Class Shares. The Distributor may negotiate with any such
broker-dealer the services to be provided by the broker-dealer
in connection with the sale of Cash Management Class shares, and all or any
portion of the compensation paid to the Distributor
pursuant to this Distribution Plan may be reallocated by the Distributor to
broker-dealers who sell Shares. The Trust, on behalf of
the Cash Management Class Shares, has adopted this Plan in accordance with the
provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act which
regulates circumstances under which an investment company may directly or
indirectly bear expenses relating to the distribution
of shares. The Distributor may retain any portion of the fees it does not expend
in meeting its obligations to the Trust.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Prime,
Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities and
Tax-Exempt
Portfolios of the Cash Management Class paid $3,257,
$1,598,
$202,
$7,586,
$5,881 and
$2,259,
respectively, to compensate
the Distributor pursuant to the Cash Management Class Distribution Plan
and reflect a waiver of $1,907,
$1,557,
$123,
$5,898,
$3,641 and
$1,467,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various
Fund administration activities performed
on behalf of the Trust.
Finally,
the Trust has entered into a Distribution Plan with respect to its Select Class
Shares to pay the Distributor to provide for, or to
compensate Service Organizations for providing distribution-related services.
Under the Plan, the Trust, on behalf of the Select Class
Shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly distribution fee which
shall not exceed during any one year 0.55% (which is
assessed annually) of the average daily net assets of Select Class Shares owned
beneficially by the customers of such Service Organizations
during such period. Distribution-related services for which the Distributor or a
Service Organization may be compensated
include any activities or expenses primarily intended to result in the sale of
Select Class shares, including, but not limited
to: distribution of sales literature and advertising materials and compensation
to broker-dealers who sell Select Class shares. The
Distributor may negotiate with any such broker-dealer the services to be
provided by the broker-dealer to shareholders in connection
with the sale of Select Class shares, and all or any portion of the compensation
paid to the Distributor pursuant to this Distribution
Plan may be reallocated by the Distributor to broker-dealers who sell shares.
The Trust, on behalf of the Select Class Shares,
has adopted this Plan in accordance with the provisions of Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act which regulates circumstances under
which an investment company may directly or indirectly bear expenses relating to
the distribution of shares. The Distributor may retain
any portion of the fees it does not expend in meeting its obligations to the
Trust.
For the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Select Class paid
$141,
$141 and
$138,
respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Select Class
Distribution Plan and reflect a
waiver of
$137,
$138, and
$141,
respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for various Fund
administration activities performed
on behalf of the Trust.
No
interested person of the Trust nor any Independent Trustee has any direct
financial interest in the operation of each Plan except to the
extent that the Distributor, the Adviser, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC or certain of their employees
may be deemed to have such an interest as a result of benefits derived from the
successful operation of a Plan or as a result of
receiving a portion of the amounts expended thereunder by the
Trust.
Continuance
of each Plan must be approved annually by a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust and the Trustees who are not “interested
persons” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The Plans require that
quarterly written reports of amounts spent
under each respective Plan and the purposes of such expenditures be furnished to
and review by Trustees. The Plans may not be amended
to increase materially the amount which may be spent thereunder by each class
without approval by a majority of the outstanding
shares of each respective class. All material amendments of the Plans will
require approval by a majority of the Trustees of the
Trust and of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the
Trust.
Revenue
Sharing
The
Adviser and/or Distributor may pay compensation, out of their own funds and not
as an expense of the Funds, to certain affiliated
entities of the Adviser and the Distributor (“Affiliated Entities”) and to
certain 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 Funds
and/or shareholder servicing. For example, the Adviser or
the Distributor may pay additional compensation to Affiliated Entities and other
Intermediaries for, among other things, promoting
the sale and distribution of Fund shares, providing access to various programs,
mutual fund platforms or preferred or recommended
mutual fund lists offered by the Affiliated Entity or other Intermediary,
granting the Distributor access to the Affiliated
Entity’s or Intermediary’s financial advisors and consultants, providing
assistance in the ongoing education and training of the
Affiliated Entity’s or Intermediary’s financial personnel, furnishing marketing
support, maintaining share balances, and/or for sub-accounting,
recordkeeping, administrative, shareholder or transaction processing services.
The Adviser and/or Distributor will also
reimburse certain investors, or make payments to certain third party vendors, to
defray costs incurred by investors for the use of treasury
management systems or other business-related software for investments in funds.
Such payments are in addition to any distribution
fees, shareholder servicing fees and/or transfer agency fees that may be payable
by the Funds. The additional payments may be
based on various factors, including level of sales (based on gross or net sales
or some specified minimum sales or some other similar
criteria related to sales of the Funds and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley
Funds), amount of assets invested by the Affiliated
Entity’s or Intermediary’s customers (which could include current or aged assets
of the Funds), a Fund’s advisory fees, some other
agreed upon amount, or other measures as determined from time to time by the
Adviser and/or Distributor. The amount of these
payments may be different for different Affiliated Entities and
Intermediaries.
With
respect to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, these payments may include the
following amounts, which are paid in accordance
with the applicable compensation structure:
(1) an
ongoing annual fee in an amount of $582,650 in consideration of the Adviser’s
participation at various Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
events, including seminars, conferences and meetings as determined by Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC; and
(2) an
ongoing annual fee in an amount of $575,000 in
consideration of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC providing Adviser with
access to
distribution analytical data in relation to sales of the Funds and certain other
products managed and/or sponsored by the Adviser or
its affiliates.
With
respect to Affiliated Entities, these payments, which are paid in accordance
with the applicable compensation structure, may include an
ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.10% of the total average NAV in respect
of the applicable period of shares of the Funds held
in the applicable accounts.
The
prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation, as described
above, by Affiliated Entities or other Intermediaries
may provide Affiliated Entities and such Intermediaries, and/or their financial
advisers or other salespersons with an incentive
to favor sales of shares of the Funds over other investment options with respect
to which an Affiliated Entity or an Intermediary
does 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 a Fund or
the amount that a Fund 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 Fund shares and should review carefully any
disclosure provided by an Affiliated Entity or Intermediary
as to its compensation.
Other
Payments to Intermediaries
The
Adviser and/or the Distributor may also make payments, out of their own assets
and not as an expense to a Fund, to Intermediaries
to offset certain nominal expenses of Intermediaries related to setup,
connectivity or other technological maintenance of the
Intermediary’s investment platform and/or the provision of services with respect
to a Fund or share class on an Intermediary’s investment
platform. Investors may wish to take such payment arrangements into account when
considering an investment in Fund shares.
FUND
ADMINISTRATION
The
Adviser also provides administrative services to the Trust pursuant to an
Administration Agreement. The services provided under the
Administration Agreement are subject to the supervision of the officers and the
Board of Trustees of the Trust and include day-to-day
administration of matters related to the corporate existence of the Trust,
maintenance of records, preparation of reports, supervision
of the Trust’s arrangements with its custodian and assistance in the preparation
of the Trust’s registration statement under
federal laws. The Administration Agreement also provides that the Adviser,
through its agents, will provide dividend disbursing and
transfer agent services to the Trust. For its services under the Administration
Agreement, the Trust pays the Adviser a monthly fee which
on an annual basis equals 0.05% of a
Fund’s average
daily net assets. The
Adviser may compensate other service providers for
performing shareholder servicing and administrative services.
For the
fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2021
and 2022, the
Trust paid the following administrative fees;
|
|
|
|
|
Administrative
Fees Paid |
Fund |
20201 (000) |
20212 (000) |
20223 (000) |
Prime
Portfolio |
$8,218 |
$8,210 |
$7,062 |
Government
Portfolio |
42,779 |
51,356 |
68,657 |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
2,456 |
3,318 |
6,141 |
Treasury
Portfolio |
14,633 |
16,079 |
19,265 |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
19,276 |
19,025 |
24,088 |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
214 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2020, the administration fees paid
reflect a waiver of approximately $198,000
and $36,000 for the Prime
and Tax-Exempt Portfolios,
respectively. |
2 |
For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, the administration fees paid
reflect a waiver of approximately $10,596,000,$2,490,000, $2,712,000,
$9,173,000 and $138,000
for the Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities
and Tax-Exempt Portfolios,
respectively. |
3 |
For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the administration fees paid
reflect a waiver of approximately $6,756,000, $1,083,000, $884,000,
$1,483,000, and $145,000
for the Government, Government Securities, Treasury, Treasury Securities
and Tax-Exempt Portfolios, respectively. |
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 Trust. For such services,
the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the
administrative fee the Administrator receives from the Trust. 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
Trust.
OTHER
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Custodian. State
Street, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2101, is the custodian of the
Trust’s assets. Any of the Trust’s cash balances
with the Custodian in excess of $250,000 are unprotected by federal deposit
insurance. These balances may, at times, be substantial.
Transfer
and Dividend Disbursing Agent.
SS&C
Global Investor and Distribution
Solutions, Inc., 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA
02169-0953, serves as the Funds’ transfer agent and dividend disbursing
agent.
Co-Transfer
Agent. Morgan
Stanley Services Company, Inc. (“MSSCI”), 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036,
is a registered transfer
agent and operates the Trust’s call center. In connection therewith, MSSCI
performs certain transfer agency services related to
processing and relaying purchase and redemption orders to
SS&C
Global Investor and Distribution
Solutions, Inc., the Funds’ transfer
agent. MSSCI does not receive any direct compensation from the Funds for
providing the call center or the related transfer agency
services.
Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm. Ernst
& Young LLP, located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116-5021,
serves as
independent registered public accounting firm and provides audit and
audit-related services, tax-related services and assistance
in connection with various SEC filings.
Fund
Counsel. Dechert
LLP, located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, acts as the
Funds’ legal counsel.
BROKERAGE
TRANSACTIONS
Brokerage
Selection
The
Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for a Fund, 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.
A Fund 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.
The Trust
anticipates that certain of its transactions involving foreign securities will
be effected on foreign securities exchanges. There is also
generally less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities
exchanges and brokers than in the United States.
The
Adviser selects broker-dealers for the execution of transactions for the Funds
in accordance with its duty to seek “best execution” (i.e., the
most favorable terms of execution). In seeking best execution, the Adviser is
not obligated to choose the broker-dealer offering
the lowest available commission rate if, in the Adviser’s reasonable judgment,
(i) the total costs or proceeds from the transaction
might be less favorable than may be obtained elsewhere; (ii) a higher commission
is justified by the brokerage and research
services provided by the broker-dealer that fall within the safe harbor of
Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act or otherwise is permitted
under applicable law; or (iii) other considerations, such as the order size, the
time required for execution, the depth and breadth of
the market for the security or minimum credit quality requirements to transact
business with a particular broker-dealer. The
research services received include 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.
When
effecting transactions on behalf of the Funds, the Adviser may trade with any
broker-dealer on their list of approved broker-dealers.
Approved broker-dealers have met criteria as established by the Adviser’s
Trading and Research Governance team (“TRG”). TRG
reviews and approves broker-dealers periodically to determine whether
broker-dealers on the approved list continue to meet such
criteria. The approval lists are reported quarterly to the Adviser’s
Counterparty Governance Committee. When selecting an approved
broker-dealer (including an affiliate) to execute securities transactions, the
following factors may be considered: (i) best available
price; (ii) reliability, integrity and reputation in the industry (which may
include a review of financial information and creditworthiness);
(iii) execution capabilities, including block positioning, speed of execution
and quality and responsiveness of its
trading
desk; (iv) knowledge of and access to the markets for the securities being
traded; (v) potential ability to obtain price improvement;
(vi) ability to maintain confidentiality; (vii) ability to handle
non-traditional trades; (viii) commission and commission-equivalent
rates; (ix) technology infrastructure; (x) clearance and settlement
capabilities; (xi) the size of the trade relative to other
trades in the same instrument; (xii) ability of a counterparty to commit its
capital to a Fund’s trade and its access to liquidity; (xiii)
counterparty restrictions associated with a portfolio, including regulatory
trading, documentation requirement or any specific clearing
broker-dealer requirements; (xiv) client-directed execution; (xv)
client-specific restrictions; and (xvi) such other factors as may be
appropriate.
Subject to
the duty to seek best execution, the Adviser uses a portion of the commissions
generated when executing client transactions to acquire
brokerage and research services that aid in fulfilling investment
decision-making responsibilities in accordance with Section 28(e) and
applicable law. Commissions paid to broker-dealers providing brokerage and
research services may be higher than those charged by
other broker-dealers. Subject to applicable law, the Adviser receives a benefit
when using client commissions to obtain brokerage
and research services because the Adviser does not have to produce or pay for
the brokerage research services itself. Therefore,
the Adviser has an incentive to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on its
interest in receiving brokerage and research
services, rather than solely on its clients’ interest in obtaining the best
price.
The
Adviser has adopted policies and procedures designed to help track and evaluate
the benefits received from brokerage and research
services, as well as to track how much clients pay above the amount that
broker-dealers from which the Adviser receives brokerage
and research services may have charged solely for execution of such trades. The
Adviser utilizes a voting system to assist in making a
good faith determination of the value of brokerage and research services it
receives in accordance with Section 28(e) and applicable
law. In many cases, these involve subjective judgments or approximations. The
Adviser has established a process for budgeting
research costs and allocating such costs across client accounts.
The
Adviser and certain other affiliated advisers have entered into commission
sharing arrangements (“CSAs”) with executing brokers (“CSA
Partners”) and a third-party vendor (“CSA Aggregator”). Pursuant to these
arrangements, and under the Adviser’s supervision, the CSA
Partners and CSA Aggregator track execution and research commissions separately
and pool and distribute research credits in
accordance with the policies and procedures discussed above to approved research
providers (which may include executing brokerage
firms or independent research providers (“Approved Research Providers”)) that
provide brokerage and research services. The CSA
Aggregator also reconciles research credits from trades with CSA Partners, and
pays Approved Research Providers and provides
other related administrative functions. In addition, a CSA Partner may provide
the Adviser with proprietary research it has developed
and, upon instruction, may retain research commission credits as compensation
for the provision of such proprietary research
services. The Adviser believes that these arrangements allow it to monitor the
amount of trading costs that are attributable to execution
services on the one hand and other brokerage and research services on the
other.
Transactions
that generate research credits include equity transactions executed on an agency
basis or via a riskless principal transaction
where the executing broker-dealer receives a commission. The Adviser does not
use CSAs or otherwise have arrangements to pay for
brokerage and research services with client commissions in connection with
trading fixed-income securities. Consistent with
long-standing industry practice in the fixed-income markets, however, the
Adviser, subject to applicable law, may receive brokerage
and research services and other information, including access to fixed-income
trading platforms that dealers provide for no charge to
their customers in the ordinary course of business. Fixed-income instruments
typically trade at a bid/ask spread and without an
explicit brokerage charge. While there is not a formal trading expense or
commission, clients will bear the implicit trading costs reflected
in these spreads.
The
Adviser may receive “mixed use” products and services from an Approved Research
Provider, where a portion of the product or service
assists in its investment decision-making process in accordance with Section
28(e) and a portion may be used for other purposes.
Where a product or service has a mixed use, the Adviser will make a reasonable
allocation of its cost according to its use and will use
client commissions to pay only for the portion of the product or service that
assists in its investment decision-making process. The
Adviser may have an incentive to allocate the costs to uses that assist in its
investment decision-making process because the Adviser
may pay for such costs with client commissions rather than its own resources. To
the extent the Adviser receives “mixed use” products
and services, the Adviser will allocate the anticipated costs of a mixed use
product or service in good faith and maintain records
concerning allocations in order to mitigate such conflicts.
Client
accounts that pay a greater amount of commissions relative to other accounts may
bear a greater share of the cost of brokerage and
research services than such other accounts. The Adviser may use brokerage and
research services obtained with brokerage commissions
from some clients for the benefit of other clients whose brokerage commissions
do not pay for such brokerage and research
services. The Adviser may also share brokerage and research services with its
affiliated advisers, and the clients of its affiliated advisers
may receive the benefits of such brokerage and research services. These
arrangements remain subject to the Adviser’s overall obligation
to seek best execution for client trading.
The EU’s
Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (“MiFID II”), which became
effective January 3, 2018, requires investment advisers
regulated under MiFID II to pay for research services separately from trade
execution services, either through their own
resources
or a research payment account funded by a specific charge to a client. Although
the Adviser is not directly subject to the provisions
of MiFID II, certain of its affiliated advisers are, such as Morgan Stanley
Investment Management Limited; accordingly, as applicable,
the Adviser makes a reasonable valuation and allocation of the cost of research
services as between MiFID II client accounts
and other accounts that participate in CSAs and will pay for research services
received with respect to MiFID II client accounts
from its own resources. The Adviser and affiliated advisers subject to MiFID II
may separately pay for fixed-income research from their
own resources. Following its withdrawal from the EU on January 31, 2020, the
United Kingdom has entered a transition period,
during which EU law (including MiFID II) will continue to apply in the United
Kingdom. Following the transition period, investment
managers in the United Kingdom may still be required to comply with certain
MiFID II equivalent requirements in accordance
with the handbook of rules and guidance issued by the Financial Conduct
Authority.
When
permitted under applicable law, portfolio managers generally will aggregate
orders of their clients for the same securities in a single
order so that such orders are executed simultaneously in order to facilitate
best execution and to reduce brokerage costs. The Adviser
effects aggregated orders in a manner designed to ensure that no participating
client is favored over any other client.
In
general, accounts that participate in an aggregated order will participate on a
pro rata or other objective basis. Pro rata allocation of securities
and other instruments will generally consist of allocation based on the order
size of a participating client account in proportion
to the size of the orders placed for other accounts participating in the
aggregated order. However, the Adviser may allocate such
securities and other instruments using a method other than pro rata if its
supply is limited, based on differing portfolio characteristics
among accounts or to avoid odd lots or small allocations, among other reasons.
These allocations are made in the good faith
judgment of the Adviser with a goal of seeking to ensure that fair and equitable
allocation occurs over time. There may be times that the
Adviser is not able to aggregate orders because of applicable law or other
considerations when doing so might otherwise be advantageous.
Pursuant
to an order issued by the SEC, the Trust is permitted to engage in principal
transactions in money market instruments, subject to
certain conditions, with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, a broker-dealer
affiliated with the Trust’s Adviser.
During the
fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2021
and 2022, the
Trust did not effect any principal transactions with Morgan Stanley
& Co. LLC.
Commissions
Paid
During the
fiscal years ended October 31, 2020, 2021
and 2022, the
Trust did not pay any commissions or concessions and did not pay any
brokerage commissions to an affiliated broker or dealer.
Regular
Broker-Dealers
During the
fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the
Funds purchased securities issued by the following issuers, which were among the
ten
brokers or ten dealers that executed transactions for or with the Trust or the
Fund in the largest dollar amounts during the period:
|
|
Fund |
Issuer |
Prime
Portfolio |
Barclays
Bank PLC Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce Goldman
Sachs & Co. Mizuho
Securities USA Inc. Natixis
Global Asset Management, L.P. |
Government
Portfolio |
None |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
None |
Treasury
Portfolio |
None |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
None |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
None |
At October
31, 2022, the
Funds held securities issued by such brokers or dealers with the following
market values:
|
|
|
Fund |
Issuer |
Approximate
Market Value at October 31, 2022 |
Prime
Portfolio |
Natixis
Global Asset Management, L.P. Barclays
Bank PLC Mizuho
Securities USA Inc. |
$330,101,000 253,750,000 148,861,000 |
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Trust
History
Morgan
Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds is an open-end, management investment
company established under Massachusetts law as a
Massachusetts business trust under a Declaration of Trust dated February 13,
2003 and amended as of July 25, 2005.
Description
of Shares and Voting Rights
The
shareholders of the Trust are entitled to a full vote for each full share of
beneficial interest held. The Trust is authorized to issue an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of beneficial
interest of each Fund are of $0.01 par value and are equal as to
earnings, assets and voting privileges except that each class will have
exclusive voting privileges with respect to matters relating to distribution
expenses borne solely by such class or any other matter in which the interests
of one class differ from the interests of any other
class. The Institutional Select Class, Investor Class, Administrative Class,
Advisory Class, Participant Class, Cash Management Class and
Select Class bear expenses related to compensating service organizations who
provide personal and account maintenance services
and administrative services to shareholders and distribution related services to
the Funds, as the case may be (see “Service and Distribution
of Shares”).
The
Trust’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of
additional portfolios of shares (the proceeds of which
would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional
classes of shares within any portfolio. The Trustees
have not presently authorized any such additional portfolios or classes of
shares other than as set forth in the Prospectuses.
The Trust
is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and in ordinary
circumstances the Trust does not intend to hold such
meetings. The Trustees may call special meetings of shareholders for action by
shareholder vote as may be required by the 1940 Act or the
Declaration of Trust. Under certain circumstances, the Trustees may be removed
by the actions of the Trustees. In addition,
under certain circumstances, the shareholders may call a meeting to remove the
Trustees and the Trust is required to provide
assistance in communicating with shareholders about such a meeting. The voting
rights of shareholders are not cumulative, so that
holders of more than 50% of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all
Trustees being selected, while the holders of the remaining
shares would be unable to elect any Trustees.
Under
Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain limited
circumstances, be held personally liable as partners
for the obligations of each Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an
express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts
or obligations of the Trust, requires that notice of such Trust obligations
include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification
out of the Trust’s property for any shareholder held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a
shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is
limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable
to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal
liability, and the nature of the Trust’s assets and
operations, the possibility of the Trust being unable to meet its obligations is
remote and thus, in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to
the Trust, the risk to the Trust’s shareholders of personal liability is
remote.
The
Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office
of the Trustees (as provided for in the Declaration
of Trust), and they may at any time lengthen or shorten their own terms or make
their terms of unlimited duration and appoint
their own successors, provided that always at least a majority of the Trustees
has been elected by the shareholders of the Trust.
Dividends
and Capital Gains Distributions
The
Trust’s policy is to distribute substantially all of the Funds’ 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.
Unless the
shareholder elects otherwise in writing, all dividends and distributions are
automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Funds
at NAV (as of the business day following the record date). This will remain in
effect until the Trust is notified by the shareholder
in writing that either the income option (income dividends in cash and capital
gains distributions in additional shares at NAV) or
the cash option (both income dividends and capital gain 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.
The Funds
and any other portfolios which the Trust may establish from time to time are
treated as separate entities (and hence, as separate
“regulated investment companies”) for federal tax purposes. Any net capital
gains recognized by a Fund are distributed to its investors
and may generally not be offset (for federal income tax purposes) by any net
capital losses of another Fund.
Special
Considerations for the Funds. The Funds
declare income dividends daily on each business day and pay them monthly to
shareholders.
Dividends are based on estimates of income, expenses and shareholder activity
for the Funds. Actual income, expenses and
shareholders activity may differ from estimates and differences, if any, will be
included in the calculation of subsequent dividends.
Shareholders
of record are those shareholders who have submitted a purchase order prior to
the following times for each Fund and who have
submitted payment for their shares prior to the close of Fed wire that day: for
the Government Portfolio and Treasury Portfolio—5:00
p.m. Eastern time; for the Prime
Portfolio, Government Securities Portfolio and Treasury Securities
Portfolio—3:00 p.m.
Eastern time; and for the Tax-Exempt Portfolio—1:00 p.m. Eastern time.
Shareholders who redeem prior to such respective times are
not entitled to dividends for that day. Dividends declared for Saturdays,
Sundays and holidays are payable to shareholders
of record
as of such respective times on the preceding business day on which the Fund was
open for business. Net realized short-term capital
gains, if any, of the Funds will be distributed whenever the Trustees determine
that such distributions would be in the best interest
of shareholders, but at least once a year. The Funds do not expect to realize
any long-term capital gains. Should any such gains be
realized, they will be distributed annually.
Duties
of Financial Intermediaries under Rule 2a-7 with Respect to Funds Designated as
“Institutional” Money Market Funds
Financial
Intermediaries (as defined in each Fund’s Prospectus) will take such actions
reasonably requested by a Fund to impose, lift or modify
a liquidity fee or redemption gate, or assist a Fund in imposing, lifting or
modifying a liquidity fee or redemption gate.
If a Fund
implements a liquidity fee, unless the Financial Intermediary will calculate and
remit the liquidity fee in accordance with the
Trust’s reasonable directions, the Financial Intermediary authorizes the Trust
or the Distributor to calculate the liquidity fee owed to
the Fund as a result of redemptions submitted through the Financial Intermediary
(the “Fee Amount”) following the imposition
of the liquidity fee and to withhold an amount equal to the Fee Amount from any
redemption proceeds or other payments
that the Fund owes to the Financial Intermediary in its sole
discretion.
To
facilitate the Trust’s or the Distributor’s ability to calculate the Fee Amount,
following such notification, the Financial Intermediary
will provide the Trust or the Distributor, before each NAV calculation time (as
detailed in each Fund’s Prospectus), with the
gross dollar amount and number of Fund shares that the Financial Intermediary’s
customers tendered for redemption before the NAV
calculation time and, if requested by the Trust, after the time at which the
liquidity fee was imposed or before the time at which the
liquidity fee was terminated or modified, as applicable.
Upon the
reasonable request of the Distributor, the Trust or its authorized agent,
Financial Intermediaries will provide (i) copies (or a summary)
of the policies, procedures and internal controls covering the foregoing and
(ii) information or certification as to the adequacy
of such procedures and the effectiveness of their implementation, in such form
as may be reasonably satisfactory to the Distributor
and/or Trust (or its authorized agent).
In the
event that a Financial Intermediary cannot redeem shares as provided herein, the
Financial Intermediary will promptly notify the Trust
and will comply with any requests from the Trust or the Distributor relating to
the involuntary redemption of such shares (including
shares held in an omnibus account).
TAXES
The Funds
and any other portfolios which the Trust may establish from time to time each is
or will each be treated as a separate entity for
federal income tax purposes and intend to qualify for the special tax treatment
afforded regulated investment companies under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As such, each Fund will
not be subject to federal income tax to the extent
it distributes its net investment company taxable income, net tax-exempt
interest income and net capital gains to shareholders.
The Trust will notify you annually as to the tax classification of all
distributions.
The Funds
intend to declare and pay dividends and capital gain distributions so as to
avoid imposition of the federal excise tax. To do so, the
Funds generally expect to distribute an amount at least equal to the sum of (i)
98% of its calendar year (taking into account
certain deferrals and elections) ordinary income, (ii) 98.2% of its capital gain
net income for the one-year period ending October
31st of that year, and (iii) 100% of any undistributed ordinary and capital gain
net income from the prior year.
In order
for a Fund to continue to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a
regulated investment company, at least 90% of its gross
income for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income including, but
not limited to, dividends, interest, income derived
from loans of securities and gains from the sale of securities or foreign
currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business
of investing in such securities or currencies. In addition, (i) the Fund must
distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90%
of its net tax-exempt interest income and 90% of its investment company taxable
income; and (ii) at the close of each quarter of
the Fund’s taxable year, the Fund must diversify its assets, including a
requirement that (a) at least 50% of its total assets must be
represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of
other regulated investment companies and other securities
with limitations, and (b) at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable
year, not more than 25% of the value of its assets may be
invested in securities of any one issuer, or of two or more issuers engaged in
the same or similar businesses if the Fund owns at least
20% of the voting power of such issuers or in securities of certain “qualified
publicly traded partnerships.” Net income derived
from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership,” as defined in the
Code, will be treated as qualifying income. If a Fund fails
to qualify for any taxable year as a regulated investment company, all of its
taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate
income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and
such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders
as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits.
Each Fund
will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains which have been
recognized for federal income tax purposes. Such
distributions will be combined with distributions of capital gains realized on
the Fund’s other investments and shareholders will be advised
of the nature of the payments.
The Trust
may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the applicable rate of
reportable payments (which may include dividends
and capital gains distributions) paid to shareholders. In order to avoid this
backup withholding requirement, you must certify on
your Account Registration Form that your social security number or taxpayer
identification number is correct, that you are not
subject to backup withholding and provide appropriate tax
documentation.
Shareholders
who are not citizens or residents of the United States and certain foreign
entities may be subject to withholding of U.S. tax on
distributions made by a Fund of investment income and short-term capital gains
at a rate of 30% (or a lower tax treaty rate, if applicable).
Such shareholders may also be subject to United States estate tax with respect
to their shares. Dividends paid by a Fund to
shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities that are derived
from short-term capital gains and qualifying U.S. source net
interest income (including income from original issue discount and market
discount), and that are designated by the Fund as
“interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” will
generally not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that the
income would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by the
foreign shareholder. However, depending on the
circumstances, a Fund may designate all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially
eligible dividends as exempt.
A Fund is
required to withhold U.S. tax (at a 30% rate) on payments of taxable 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 Funds to enable the Funds to determine whether withholding is
required.
Although
income received on direct U.S. Government obligations is taxable at the federal
level, when received by a shareholder such income may
be exempt from state tax, depending on the state. Each Fund will inform
shareholders annually of the percentage of income and
distributions derived from direct U.S. Government obligations. Shareholders
should consult their tax advisers to determine
whether any portion of dividends received from the Fund is considered tax-exempt
in their particular states.
Dividends
paid to shareholders of the Tax-Exempt Portfolio that are derived from municipal
bond interest are expected to be designated
as exempt-interest dividends that are generally excluded from gross income for
tax purposes. Interest on indebtedness incurred
or continued by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of this Fund is not
deductible to the extent it is deemed related to the Fund’s
distributions of tax-exempt interest. Tax-exempt distributions received from
this Fund are taken into account in determining,
and may increase, the portion of social security and certain railroad retirement
benefits that may be subject to federal income
tax. Further, entities or persons who are “substantial users” (or persons
related to “substantial users”) of facilities financed by industrial
development or private activity bonds should consult their tax advisers before
purchasing shares of these Funds. “Substantial
user” is defined in applicable Treasury regulations to include a “non-exempt
person” who regularly uses in its trade or business a
part of a facility financed from the proceeds of industrial development bonds,
and the same definition should apply in the case of
private activity bonds.
Under
recently issued Treasury regulations, certain distributions reported by the
Funds as section 163(j) interest dividends may be treated as
interest income by shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to
interest expense limitations under Code section 163(j).
Such treatment by the shareholder is generally subject to holding period
requirements and other potential limitations, although
the holding period requirements are generally not applicable to dividends
declared by money market funds and certain other
funds that declare dividends daily and pay such dividends on a monthly or more
frequent basis. The amount that a Fund is eligible
to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to
the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the
sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions
properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
Any gain
or loss recognized on a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund by a shareholder
will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or
loss if the shares have been held for more than twelve months and short-term if
held for twelve months or less. Under current law, the
maximum rate on long-term capital gains available to non-corporate shareholders
generally is 15 or 20%, depending on whether
the shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. If shares held for
six months or less are sold or redeemed for a loss, a
special rule applies. If shares on which a net capital gain distribution has
been received are subsequently sold or redeemed, and such
shares have been held for six months or less, any loss recognized will be
treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of the long-term
capital gain distributions.
An
additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income
(including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions
received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable
dispositions of Fund 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.
Sales,
exchanges and redemptions of shares in a Fund are generally taxable events and
may result in taxable gain or loss to you. Because
each of Government Portfolio, Government Securities Portfolio, Treasury
Portfolio and Treasury Securities Portfolio (together,
the “Stable NAV Funds”) intends to maintain a stable $1.00 NAV, shareholders
will typically not recognize gain or loss when they
sell or exchange their shares in these Funds because the amount realized will be
the same as their tax basis in the shares.
Because
each of Prime
Portfolio and Tax-Exempt Portfolio does not maintain a stable share price, a
sale of these Funds’ shares may result in
capital gain or loss to you.
Gain or
loss on the sale or redemption of shares of a Fund is generally measured by the
difference between the amount of cash received
(or the fair market value of any property received) and the tax basis of the
shares. Shareholders should keep records of investments
made (including shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and
distributions) so they can compute the tax basis of their
shares. Under certain circumstances, a shareholder may compute and use an
average cost basis in determining the gain or loss on the
sale or redemption of shares.
With
respect to any gain or loss recognized on the sale or exchange of shares of a
Fund, unless you choose to adopt a simplified “NAV
method” of accounting (described below), the amount of any gain or loss and the
rate of tax will depend mainly upon how much you
paid for the shares, how much you sell them for, and how long you held them. In
this case, any gain or loss generally will be treated
as short-term capital gain or loss if you held your shares as capital assets for
one year or less, and long-term capital gain or loss if
you held your shares as capital assets for more than one year. The maximum
individual tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains is
generally 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds
certain threshold amounts. Any loss realized upon a
taxable disposition of Fund shares held for six months or less will be treated
as a long-term capital loss, rather than a short-term
capital loss, to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributions received
(or deemed received) by you with respect to the Fund
shares.
If a Fund
were to undergo a reverse stock split, effect a reverse distribution (see
above), or undergo a similar transaction, such transaction
is expected to be tax-free to Fund shareholders. Your total cost basis in your
Fund shares would remain the same but per share
basis would be slightly higher than before such transaction. Your holding period
for the Fund shares received in the reverse stock
split is expected to include the period during which you held the Fund shares
surrendered in the reverse stock split. It is possible that a
reverse distribution may be treated as a shareholder level investment expense
incurred outside the Fund; if so treated, a shareholder
may be unable to claim a current deduction or loss with respect to such expense.
This description of the tax consequences of these
potential transactions is not binding on the IRS.
If you
elect to adopt the simplified “NAV method” of accounting, rather than compute
gain or loss on every taxable sale or other disposition
of shares of a Fund as described above, you would determine your gain or loss
based on the change in the aggregate value of your
Fund shares during a computation period (such as your taxable year), reduced by
your net investment (i.e., purchases minus sales) in
those Fund shares during the computation period. Under the simplified “NAV
method,” any resulting capital gain or loss would be
reportable on a net basis and would generally be treated as a short-term capital
gain or loss.
A
liquidity fee imposed by a Fund will reduce the amount you will receive upon the
redemption of your shares, and will generally decrease
the amount of any capital gain or increase the amount of any capital loss you
will recognize with respect to such redemption. There is
some degree of uncertainty with respect to the tax treatment of liquidity fees
received by money market funds, and such tax treatment
may be the subject of future guidance issued by the IRS. If a Fund receives
liquidity fees, it will consider the appropriate tax
treatment of such fees to the Fund at such time.
Exchanges
of shares of a Fund for shares of another Fund are also subject to similar tax
treatment. Such an exchange is treated for tax purposes
as a sale of the original shares in the first Fund, followed by the purchase of
shares in the second Fund. With respect to the stable NAV
Funds, if a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption or exchange of a
Fund’s shares and receives securities that are considered
substantially identical to that Fund’s shares or reinvests in that Fund’s shares
within 30 days before or after the redemption
or exchange, the transactions may be subject to the “wash sale” rules resulting
in a postponement of the recognition of such loss
for tax purposes. The ability to deduct capital losses may be subject to other
limitations under the Code.
Shareholders
are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax
consequences to them of an investment in a
Fund.
CONTROL
PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of
February 1, 2023, the
following persons or entities own, of record or beneficially, 5% or more of the
shares of any class of the following
Funds’ outstanding shares:
|
|
|
INSTITUTIONAL
CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Prime
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
31.05% |
|
|
|
Prime
Portfolio |
Wells
Fargo Bank Account For The
Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers ATTN
Money Fund Mail
Code D1109-010 1525
W WT Harris Blvd Charlotte
NC 28262-8522 |
7.17% |
Prime
Portfolio |
New
York State Common Retirement Fund
(NYSCRF) Securities Finance Trust
CO As Agent ATTN
Sonya Silva 1
Boston Pl Fl 24th Boston,
MA 02108-4407 |
6.37% |
Government
Portfolio |
US
Bank NA FBO SVB PO
Box 1787 Milwaukee
WI 53201-1787 |
22.91% |
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefits of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
18.94% |
Government
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
8.03% |
Government
Portfolio |
BOFA
Securities Inc. For
The Sole Benefit of Its Customers ATTN
Money Fund 200 N
College St. Floor 3 NC1-004-03-06 Charlotte,
NC 28202-2191 |
5.44% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Fund Services Inc 2000
Westchester Ave Purchase
NY 10577-2529 |
28.89% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. FBO
Its Customers ATTN:
Liquidity Operations 10410
Highland Manor Drive Floor 03 Tampa
FL 33610-9128 |
15.14% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley & CO Inc FBO 038CAC557 201
Harborside Financials CTR., Plaza
III, Floor 2 Jersey
City, NJ 07311 |
15.12% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Wells
Fargo Bank Account For
Exclusive Benefit of Its Customers ATTN
Money Fund Mail
Code D1109-010 1525
W WT Harris Blvd Charlotte
NC 28262-8522 |
8.95% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
7.57% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
BOFA
Securities Inc. For The Sole Benefit
of Its Customers ATTN
Money Fund 200 N
College St. Floor 3 NC1-004-03-06 Charlotte,
NC 28202-2191 |
5.76% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
13.62% |
|
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
State
Street Bank and Trust CO C/O
Cash Sweep FBO Morgan
Stanley Funds ATTN
Cash Sweep Support Rich Letham 1776
Herritage Drive North
Quincy, MA 02171-2119 |
12.56% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
9.66% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
35.04% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 B ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
9.31% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
7.18% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
US
Bank NA FBO SVB PO
Box 1787 Milwaukee
WI 53201-1787 |
5.45% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
86.18% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
9.59% |
INSTITUTIONAL
SELECT CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Prime
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank FBO
Amethyst Construction ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900
5th Ave N Fl. 14th Birmingham,
AL 35203-2670 |
27.38% |
Prime
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank FBO WEH Fund Tracking
LLC ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900
5th Ave N Fl 14th Birmingham,
AL 35203-2610 |
26.30% |
Prime
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank FBO BLH Fund Tracking
LLC ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900
5th Ave. N Fl 14th Birmingham,
AL 35203-2610 |
18.11% |
Prime
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank FBO PSH Tracking
Fund LLC ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900
5th Ave N Fl 14th Birmingham,
AL 35203-2610 |
18.78% |
Prime
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank FBO Traina Enterprises ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900
5th Ave N Fl 14th Birmingham
Al 35203-2610 |
7.54% |
|
|
|
Government
Portfolio |
Silicon
Valley Bank ATTN
Liquidity Mngt Middle Office 3003
Tasman Dr Santa
Clara CA 95054-1191 |
95.42% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave 12th Floor New
York, NY 10019-6835 |
100% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Silicon
Valley Bank ATTN
Liquidity Mngt Middle Office 3003
Tasman Dr Santa
Clara CA 95054-1191 |
99.59% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Band
& CO C/O
US Bank PO
Box 1787 Milwaukee
WI 53201-1787 |
96.37% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave 12th Floor New
York NY 10019-6835 |
100% |
INVESTOR
CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Government
Portfolio |
Regions
Bank Treasure
Management Sweep Operations ATTN
Tonya James 2090
Parkway Office Circle Hoover,
AL 35244-1805 |
96.24% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave. 12th Floor New
York, NY 10019-6835 |
100% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Manufacturers
and Traders Trust Company ATTN
Trust & Investment Services 1100
Wehrle Dr Williamsville,
NY 14221-7748 |
91.72% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Gateway
Arch Park Foundation Construction
Escrow Set Aside ATTN
Janis Cooper 1 S
Memorial Dr Ste 700 Saint
Louis, MO 63102-2439 |
7.25% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Arbin
Instruments Inc 762
Peach Creek Cut Off College
Station TX 77845-8704 |
85.45% |
|
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Arbin Corporation
D/B/A/ Arbin Instruments
762 Peach Creek Cut Off College
Station TX 77845-8704 |
13.79% |
ADMINISTRATIVE
CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Government
Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust
Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt
Lake City, UT 84130-0880 |
71.55% |
Government
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
6.65% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave. 12th Floor New
York, NY 10019-6835 |
100% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust
Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt
Lake City, UT 84130-0880 |
62.55% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
City
of Marquette ATTN
Gary Simpson 300 W
Baraga Ave Marquette,
MI 49855-4712 |
29.44% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Fred
M. Luth & Sons Inc ATTN
Bill Luth 4516
McRee Ave Saint
Louis, MO 63110-2297 |
7.27% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust
Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt
Lake City, UT 84130-0880 |
99.87% |
ADVISORY
CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Prime
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave. 12th Floor New
York, NY 10019-6835 |
98.65% |
Government
Portfolio |
SEI
Private Trust Company C/O
Regions Bank 1
Freedom Valley Dr Oaks,
PA 19456-9989 |
53.06% |
Government
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN
Stif Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh
PA 15251-2910 |
8.63% |
Government
Portfolio |
Manufacturers
And Traders Trust Company ATTN
Trust & Investment Services 1100
Wehrle Dr Williamsville
NY 14221-7748 |
8.53% |
Government
Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust
Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt
Lake City, UT 84130-0880 |
7.94% |
Government
Portfolio |
Huntington
National Bank Carey
& Co 7
Easton Oval EA4E70 Columbus
OH 43219-6010 |
5.71% |
|
|
|
Government
Securities Portfolio |
UMB
Bank NA ATTN
Trust Dept Money Market Desk 928
Grand Blvd. MS 1010405 PO
Box 419260 Kansas
City, MO 64141-6260 |
99.36% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
State
Street Bank and Trust CO As Cust
FBO FNZ TR CO Clients 1
Heritage DR # OHD3 North
Quincy MA 02171-2105 |
37.49% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
SEI
Private Trust Company C/O
Regions Bank 1
Freedom Valley DR Oaks,
PA 19456-9989 |
28.93% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Zoins First
National Bank Trust
Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt
Lake City, UT-84130-0880 |
7.65% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
CBNA
FBO Taco Bell Franchisor Senior
Interest Reserve AC I ATTN:
Taco Bell Funding 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30th Jersey
City, NJ 07310-2053 |
7.55% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
CBNA FBO
CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC Principal
Coll AC 12300100 ATTN CNBA FBO CMFT Corp Credit
Secs LLC 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30 Jersey
City NJ 07310-2053 |
44.31% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
CBNA FBO
CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC Interest
Coll AC 12300200 ATTN CNBA FBO CMFT Corp Credit
Secs LLC 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30 Jersey
City NJ 07310-2053 |
31.23% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Amalgamated
Bank Of Chicago ATTN
Trust Operations 30 N
Lasalle St 38th Fl Trust DEPT Chicago
IL 60602 |
19.61% |
PARTICIPANT
CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Government
Portfolio |
UMB
Bank NA ATTN
Trust Dept Money Market Desk 928
Grand Blvd MS 1010405 PO
Box 419260 Kansas
City, MO 64141-6260 |
99.99% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
100% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
UMB
Bank NA ATTN
Trust Dept Money Market Desk 928
Grand Blvd MS 1010405 PO
Box 419260 Kansas
City, MO 64141-6260 |
100% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Berkeley
Point Capital LLC DBA Newmark As
Trustee For Freddie Mac 8
Spring House Innovation Park STE
200 Ambler
PA 19002-1220 |
53.82% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave 12th Floor New
York NY 10019-6835 |
25.74% |
|
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Berkeley
Point Capital LLC DBA Newmark
as TTEE For Freddie Mac ATTN
Roberta Logue 8
Spring House Innovation Park STE
200 Ambler
PA 19002-1220 |
20.43% |
CASH
MANAGEMENT CLASS |
Fund |
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
Prime
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
92.42% |
Prime
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN
Michael Agosta 750
Seventh Ave. 12th Floor New
York, NY 10019-6835 |
7.58% |
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames St Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
97.08% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
100% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
100% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
100% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive
Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames Street Wharf 6th Floor Baltimore,
MD 21231-3496 |
99.61% |
As of
February 1, 2023, no
person was known by the Trust to own beneficially or of record 5% or more of any
outstanding class of shares of
a Fund not listed above.
The
persons listed above as owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund
may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in
the 1940 Act) such Fund. As a result, those persons would have the ability to
vote a majority of the shares of the Funds on any matter
requiring the approval of shareholders of such Funds.
The
percentage ownership of shares of beneficial interest of each Fund changes from
time to time depending on purchases and redemptions
by shareholders and the total number of shares outstanding.
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION
Calculation
of Yield
The tables
below describe the current yields of each class of the Funds for the 7-day
period ended October 31, 2022 and the
effective yields of
the Funds for the 7-day period ended October 31, 2022.
|
|
|
|
Subsidized
Yields |
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period
Ended October
31, 2022 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day
Period Ended October
31, 2022 |
Prime
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
3.10% |
3.15% |
Institutional
Select Class |
3.05% |
3.10% |
Investor
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Administrative
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Advisory
Class |
2.85% |
2.89% |
Participant
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Cash
Management Class |
2.95% |
3.00% |
CastleOak
Shares |
3.11% |
3.16% |
Impact
Class |
3.11% |
3.15% |
Government
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.88% |
2.93% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.83% |
2.87% |
Investor
Class |
2.78% |
2.82% |
Administrative
Class |
2.73% |
2.77% |
Advisory
Class |
2.63% |
2.67% |
Participant
Class |
2.38% |
2.41% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.73% |
2.77% |
Select
Class |
2.08% |
2.10% |
CastleOak
Class |
2.88% |
2.93% |
Impact
Class |
2.88% |
2.93% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.81% |
2.85% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.76% |
2.79% |
Investor
Class |
2.71% |
2.74% |
Administrative
Class |
2.66% |
2.69% |
Advisory
Class |
2.56% |
2.59% |
Participant
Class |
2.56% |
2.59% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.66% |
2.70% |
|
|
|
|
Subsidized
Yields |
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period
Ended October
31, 2022 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day
Period Ended October
31, 2022 |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.85% |
2.89% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.80% |
2.84% |
Investor
Class |
2.75% |
2.79% |
Administrative
Class |
2.70% |
2.74% |
Advisory
Class |
2.60% |
2.63% |
Participant
Class |
2.35% |
2.38% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.70% |
2.74% |
Select
Class |
2.05% |
2.07% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
3.03% |
3.07% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.98% |
3.02% |
Investor
Class |
2.93% |
2.97% |
Administrative
Class |
2.88% |
2.92% |
Advisory
Class |
2.78% |
2.81% |
Participant
Class |
2.53% |
2.56% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.88% |
2.92% |
Select
Class |
2.22% |
2.25% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.00% |
2.02% |
Institutional
Select Class |
1.95% |
1.97% |
Investor
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Administrative
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Advisory
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Participant
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Cash
Management Class |
1.85% |
1.87% |
|
|
|
|
Non-Subsidized
Yields |
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period
Ended October
31, 2022 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day
Period Ended October
31, 2022 |
Prime
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
3.09% |
3.14% |
Institutional
Select Class |
3.04% |
3.09% |
Investor
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Administrative
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Advisory
Class |
2.85% |
2.89% |
Participant
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Cash
Management Class |
2.94% |
2.99% |
|
|
|
CastleOak
Shares |
3.10% |
3.15% |
Impact
Class |
3.10% |
3.15% |
Government
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.84% |
2.88% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.79% |
2.83% |
Investor
Class |
2.74% |
2.78% |
Administrative
Class |
2.69% |
2.73% |
Advisory
Class |
2.59% |
2.63% |
Participant
Class |
2.34% |
2.37% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.69% |
2.73% |
Select
Class |
2.04% |
2.06% |
CastleOak
Shares |
2.84% |
2.88% |
Impact
Class |
2.84% |
2.88% |
Government
Securities Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.78% |
2.82% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.73% |
2.77% |
Investor
Class |
2.68% |
2.72% |
Administrative
Class |
2.63% |
2.66% |
Advisory
Class |
2.53% |
2.56% |
Participant
Class |
2.28% |
2.30% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.63% |
2.66% |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
2.84% |
2.88% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.79% |
2.83% |
Investor
Class |
2.74% |
2.78% |
Administrative
Class |
2.69% |
2.73% |
Advisory
Class |
2.59% |
2.63% |
Participant
Class |
2.34% |
2.37% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.69% |
2.73% |
Select
Class |
2.05% |
2.07% |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
3.02% |
3.07% |
Institutional
Select Class |
2.97% |
3.01% |
Investor
Class |
2.92% |
2.97% |
Administrative
Class |
2.87% |
2.91% |
Advisory
Class |
2.77% |
2.81% |
Participant
Class |
2.52% |
2.55% |
Cash
Management Class |
2.87% |
2.91% |
Select
Class |
2.22% |
2.25% |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
1.81% |
1.82% |
Institutional
Select Class |
1.75% |
1.76% |
Investor
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Administrative
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Advisory
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Participant
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Cash
Management Class |
1.66% |
1.67% |
The
non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or
expense waiver not been in place during the period shown.
Taxable
Equivalent Yields
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joint
Return |
Single
Return |
Federal
Income
Tax
Brackets |
Taxable
Equivalent Rates Based on Tax-Exempt Yield of: |
From |
To |
From |
To |
|
3.50% |
4% |
5% |
6% |
7% |
8% |
9% |
10% |
11% |
$
— |
$13,000 |
$
— |
$4,350 |
0.00% |
3.50% |
4.00% |
5.00% |
6.00% |
7.00% |
8.00% |
9.00% |
10.00% |
11.00% |
$13,000 |
$33,550 |
$4,350 |
$14,625 |
10.00% |
3.89% |
4.44% |
5.56% |
6.67% |
7.78% |
8.89% |
10.00% |
11.11% |
12.22% |
$33,550 |
$96,550 |
$14,625 |
$46,125 |
12.00% |
3.98% |
4.55% |
5.68% |
6.82% |
7.95% |
9.09% |
10.23% |
11.36% |
12.50% |
$96,550 |
$191,150 |
$46,125 |
$93,425 |
22.00% |
4.49% |
5.13% |
6.41% |
7.69% |
8.97% |
10.26% |
11.54% |
12.82% |
14.10% |
$191,150 |
$353,100 |
$93,425 |
$174,400 |
24.00% |
4.61% |
5.26% |
6.58% |
7.89% |
9.21% |
10.53% |
11.84% |
13.16% |
14.47% |
$353,100 |
$444,900 |
$174,400 |
$220,300 |
32.00% |
5.15% |
5.88% |
7.35% |
8.82% |
10.29% |
11.76% |
13.24% |
14.71% |
16.18% |
$444,900 |
$660,850 |
$220,300 |
$544,250 |
35.00% |
5.38% |
6.15% |
7.69% |
9.23% |
10.77% |
12.31% |
13.85% |
15.38% |
16.92% |
$660,850 |
Over |
$544,250 |
Over |
37.00% |
5.56% |
6.35% |
7.94% |
9.52% |
11.11% |
12.70% |
14.29% |
15.87% |
17.46% |
$660,850 |
Over |
$544,250 |
Over |
40.80%1
|
5.91% |
6.76% |
8.45% |
10.14% |
11.82% |
13.51% |
15.20% |
16.89% |
18.58% |
1 |
Includes
3.8% Medicare Tax |
Note: Net
amount subject to 2022 Federal
Income Tax after deductions and exemptions, not indexed for
2021 income
tax rates. These
rates are subject to change with any updates to the tax laws.
The tables
below describe the taxable equivalent yields and the taxable equivalent
effective yields of each class of the Tax-Exempt Portfolio
for the seven days ended October 31, 2022, assuming
the same tax rate.
|
|
|
|
Taxable
Equivalent Yield 7-Day
Period Ended October
31, 2022 |
Taxable
Equivalent Effective
Yield 7-Day
Period Ended October
31, 2022 |
Tax-Exempt
Portfolio |
Institutional
Class |
3.17% |
3.21% |
Institutional
Select Class |
3.10% |
3.13% |
Investor
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Administrative
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Advisory
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Participant
Class |
N/A |
N/A |
Cash
Management Class |
2.94% |
2.97% |
POTENTIAL
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As a
diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley, the parent company
of the Adviser, engages in a broad spectrum of activities,
including financial advisory services, investment management activities,
lending, commercial banking, sponsoring and managing
private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions and principal
securities, commodities and foreign exchange
transactions, research publication and other activities. In the ordinary course
of its business, Morgan Stanley is a full-service investment
banking and financial services firm and therefore engages in activities where
Morgan Stanley’s interests or the interests of its
clients may conflict with the interests of a Fund. Morgan Stanley advises
clients and sponsors, manages or advises other investment funds and
investment programs, accounts and businesses (collectively, together with the
Morgan Stanley Funds, any new or successor funds,
programs, accounts or businesses (other than funds, programs, accounts or
businesses sponsored, managed, or advised by former
direct or indirect subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. (“Eaton Vance Investment
Accounts”)), the ‘‘MS Investment Accounts”, and,
together with the Eaton Vance Investment Accounts, the “Affiliated Investment
Accounts’’) with a wide variety of investment objectives
that in some instances may overlap or conflict with a Fund’s investment
objectives and present conflicts of interest. In addition,
Morgan Stanley or the Adviser may also from time to time create new or successor
Affiliated Investment Accounts that may compete
with a Fund and present similar conflicts of interest. The discussion below
enumerates certain actual, apparent and potential conflicts
of interest. There is no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved
in favor of Fund shareholders and, in fact, they may not
be. Conflicts of interest not described below may also exist.
The
discussions below with respect to actual, apparent and potential conflicts of
interest also may be applicable to or arise from the Eaton
Vance Investment Accounts whether or not specifically identified.
Material
Non-public and Other Information. It is
expected that confidential or material non-public information regarding an
investment
or potential investment opportunity may become available to the Adviser. If such
information becomes available, the Adviser
may be precluded (including by applicable law or internal policies or
procedures) from pursuing an investment or disposition
opportunity
with respect to such investment or investment opportunity. The Adviser may also
from time to time be subject to contractual
‘‘stand-still’’ obligations and/or confidentiality obligations that may restrict
its ability to trade in certain investments on a Fund’s
behalf. In addition, the Adviser may be precluded from disclosing such
information to an investment team, even in circumstances
in which the information would be beneficial if disclosed. Therefore, the
investment team may not be provided access to
material non-public information in the possession of Morgan Stanley that might
be relevant to an investment decision to be made on behalf
of a Fund, and the investment team may initiate a transaction or sell an
investment that, if such information had been known to
it, may not have been undertaken. In addition, certain members of the investment
team may be recused from certain investment-related
discussions so that such members do not receive information that would limit
their ability to perform functions of their
employment with the Adviser or its affiliates unrelated to that of a Fund.
Furthermore, access to certain parts of Morgan Stanley may be
subject to third party confidentiality obligations and to information barriers
established by Morgan Stanley in order to manage
potential conflicts of interest and regulatory restrictions, including without
limitation joint transaction restrictions pursuant to the
1940 Act. Accordingly, the Adviser’s ability to source investments from other
business units within Morgan Stanley may be limited
and there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to source any
investments from any one or more parts of the Morgan
Stanley network.
The
Adviser may restrict its investment decisions and activities on behalf of the
Funds in various circumstances, including because of applicable
regulatory requirements or information held by the Adviser or Morgan Stanley.
The Adviser might not engage in transactions
or other activities for, or enforce certain rights in favor of, a Fund due to
Morgan Stanley’s activities outside the Funds. In
instances where trading of an investment is restricted, the Adviser may not be
able to purchase or sell such investment on behalf of a Fund,
resulting in a Fund’s inability to participate in certain desirable
transactions. This inability to buy or sell an investment could have an
adverse effect on a Fund’s portfolio due to, among other things, changes in an
investment’s value during the period its trading is
restricted. Also, in situations where the Adviser is required to aggregate its
positions with those of other Morgan Stanley business
units for position limit calculations, the Adviser may have to refrain from
making investments due to the positions held by other
Morgan Stanley business units or their clients. There may be other situations
where the Adviser refrains from making an investment
due to additional disclosure obligations, regulatory requirements, policies, and
reputational risk, or the Adviser may limit purchases
or sales of securities in respect of which Morgan Stanley is engaged in an
underwriting or other distribution capacity.
Morgan
Stanley has established certain information barriers and other policies to
address the sharing of information between different businesses
within Morgan Stanley. As a result of information barriers, the Adviser
generally will not have access, or will have limited access, to
certain information and personnel in other areas of Morgan Stanley and generally
will not manage the Funds with the benefit of
the information held by such other areas. Morgan Stanley, due to its access to
and knowledge of funds, markets and securities
based on its prime brokerage and other businesses, may make decisions based on
information or take (or refrain from taking)
actions with respect to interests in investments of the kind held (directly or
indirectly) by the Funds in a manner that may be adverse to
the Fund, and will not have any obligation or other duty to share information
with the Adviser.
In limited
circumstances, however, including for purposes of managing business and
reputational risk, and subject to policies and procedures
and any applicable regulations, Morgan Stanley personnel, including personnel of
the Adviser, on one side of an information
barrier may have access to information and personnel on the other side of the
information barrier through “wall crossings.”
The Adviser faces conflicts of interest in determining whether to engage in such
wall crossings. Information obtained in connection
with such wall crossings may limit or restrict the ability of the Adviser to
engage in or otherwise effect transactions on behalf of
the Funds (including purchasing or selling securities that the Adviser may
otherwise have purchased or sold for a Fund in the
absence of a wall crossing). In managing conflicts of interest that arise
because of the foregoing, the Adviser generally will be subject to
fiduciary requirements. The Adviser may also implement internal information
barriers or ethical walls, and the conflicts described
herein with respect to information barriers and otherwise with respect to Morgan
Stanley and the Adviser will also apply internally
within the Adviser. As a result, a Fund may not be permitted to transact in
(e.g., dispose of a security in whole or in part) during
periods when it otherwise would have been able to do so, which could adversely
affect a Fund. Other investors in the security that are
not subject to such restrictions may be able to transact in the security during
such periods. There may also be circumstances in which,
as a result of information held by certain portfolio management teams in the
Adviser, the Adviser limits an activity or transaction
for a Fund, including if a Fund is managed by a portfolio management team other
than the team holding such information.
Investments
by Morgan Stanley and its Affiliated Investment Accounts. In
serving in multiple capacities to Affiliated Investment Accounts,
Morgan Stanley, including the Adviser and its investment teams, may have
obligations to other clients or investors in Affiliated
Investment Accounts, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests
of a Fund or its shareholders. A Fund’s investment
objectives may overlap with the investment objectives of certain Affiliated
Investment Accounts. As a result, the members of an
investment team may face conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities
among a Fund and other investment funds, programs,
accounts and businesses advised by or affiliated with the Adviser. Certain
Affiliated Investment Accounts may provide for higher
management or incentive fees or greater expense reimbursements or overhead
allocations, all of which may contribute to this conflict
of interest and create an incentive for the Adviser to favor such other
accounts.
Morgan
Stanley currently invests and plans to continue to invest on its own behalf and
on behalf of its Affiliated Investment Accounts
in a wide variety of investment opportunities globally. Morgan Stanley and its
Affiliated Investment Accounts, to the extent consistent
with applicable law and policies and procedures, will be permitted to invest in
investment opportunities without making such
opportunities available to a Fund beforehand. Subject to the foregoing, Morgan
Stanley may offer investments that fall into the investment
objectives of an Affiliated Investment Account to such account or make such
investment on its own behalf, even though such
investment also falls within a Fund’s investment objectives. A Fund may invest
in opportunities that Morgan Stanley and/or one or more
Affiliated Investment Accounts has declined, and vice versa. All of the
foregoing may reduce the number of investment opportunities
available to a Fund and may create conflicts of interest in allocating
investment opportunities. Investors should note that the
conflicts inherent in making such allocation decisions may not always be
resolved to a Fund’s advantage. There can be no assurance
that a Fund will have an opportunity to participate in certain opportunities
that fall within their investment objectives.
To seek to
reduce potential conflicts of interest and to attempt to allocate such
investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner,
the Adviser has implemented allocation policies and procedures. These policies
and procedures are intended to give all clients of
the Adviser, including the Fund, fair access to investment opportunities
consistent with the requirements of organizational documents,
investment strategies, applicable laws and regulations, and the fiduciary duties
of the Adviser. Each client of the Adviser that is
subject to the allocation policies and procedures, including each Fund, is
assigned an investment team and portfolio manager(s)
by the Adviser. The investment team and portfolio managers review investment
opportunities and will decide with respect to the
allocation of each opportunity considering various factors and in accordance
with the allocation policies and procedures. The allocation
policies and procedures are subject to change. Investors should note that the
conflicts inherent in making such allocation decisions
may not always be resolved to the advantage of a Fund.
It is
possible that Morgan Stanley or an Affiliated Investment Account, including
another Morgan Stanley Fund, will invest in or advise (in
the case of Morgan Stanley) a company that is or becomes a competitor of a
company of which a Fund holds an investment.
Such investment could create a conflict between the Fund, on the one hand, and
Morgan Stanley or the Affiliated Investment
Account, on the other hand. In such a situation, Morgan Stanley may also have a
conflict in the allocation of its own resources
to the portfolio investment. Furthermore, certain Affiliated Investment Accounts
will be focused primarily on investing in other
funds which may have strategies that overlap and/or directly conflict and
compete with a Fund.
In
addition, certain investment professionals who are involved in a Fund’s
activities remain responsible for the investment activities of other
Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by the Adviser and its affiliates, and
they will devote time to the management of such investments
and other newly created Affiliated Investment Accounts (whether in the form of
funds, separate accounts or other vehicles),
as well as their own investments. In addition, in connection with the management
of investments for other Affiliated Investment
Accounts, members of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may serve on the boards
of directors of or advise companies which may
compete with a Fund’s portfolio investments. Moreover, these Affiliated
Investment Accounts managed by Morgan Stanley
and its affiliates may pursue investment opportunities that may also be suitable
for a Fund.
It should
be noted that Morgan Stanley may, directly or indirectly, make large investments
in certain of its Affiliated Investment Accounts,
and accordingly Morgan Stanley’s investment in a Fund may not be a determining
factor in the outcome of any of the foregoing
conflicts. Nothing herein restricts or in any way limits the activities of
Morgan Stanley, including its ability to buy or sell interests
in, or provide financing to, equity and/or debt instruments, funds or portfolio
companies, for its own accounts or for the accounts
of Affiliated Investment Accounts or other investment funds or clients in
accordance with applicable law.
Different
clients of the Adviser, including a Fund, may invest in different classes of
securities of the same issuer, depending on the respective
clients’ investment objectives and policies. As a result, the Adviser and its
affiliates, at times, will seek to satisfy fiduciary obligations
to certain clients owning one class of securities of a particular issuer by
pursuing or enforcing rights on behalf of those clients
with respect to such class of securities, and those activities may have an
adverse effect on another client which owns a different class of
securities of such issuer. For example, if one client holds debt securities of
an issuer and another client holds equity securities of the
same issuer, if the issuer experiences financial or operational challenges, the
Adviser and its affiliates may seek a liquidation of the issuer
on behalf of the client that holds the debt securities, whereas the client
holding the equity securities may benefit from a reorganization
of the issuer. Thus, in such situations, the actions taken by the Adviser or its
affiliates on behalf of one client can negatively
impact securities held by another client. These conflicts also exist as between
the Adviser’s clients, including the Fund, and the
Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by Eaton Vance.
The
Adviser and its affiliates may give advice and recommend securities to other
clients which may differ from advice given to, or securities
recommended or bought for, a Fund even though such other clients’ investment
objectives may be similar to those of the Fund.
The
Adviser and its affiliates manage long and short portfolios. The simultaneous
management of long and short portfolios creates conflicts
of interest in portfolio management and trading in that opposite directional
positions may be taken in client accounts, including
client accounts managed by the same investment team, and creates risks such as:
(i) the risk that short sale activity could adversely
affect the market value of long positions in one or more portfolios (and vice
versa) and (ii) the risks associated with the
trading
desk receiving opposing orders in the same security simultaneously. The Adviser
and its affiliates have adopted policies and procedures
that are reasonably designed to mitigate these conflicts. In certain
circumstances, the Adviser invests on behalf of itself in securities
and other instruments that would be appropriate for, held by, or may fall within
the investment guidelines of its clients, including
a Fund. At times, the Adviser may give advice or take action for its own
accounts that differs from, conflicts with, or is adverse to
advice given or action taken for any client.
From time
to time, conflicts also arise due to the fact that certain securities or
instruments may be held in some client accounts, including
a Fund, but not in others, or that client accounts may have different levels of
holdings in certain securities or instruments. In
addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions among
client accounts, the Adviser may take action with respect to
one account that differs from the action taken with respect to another account.
In some cases, a client account may compensate
the Adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The
existence of such a performance based fee may
create additional conflicts of interest for the Adviser in the allocation of
management time, resources and investment opportunities.
The Adviser has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address
these potential conflicts including a code of ethics
and policies that govern the Adviser’s trading practices, including, among other
things, the aggregation and allocation of trades
among clients, brokerage allocations, cross trades and best
execution.
In
addition, at times an investment team will give advice or take action with
respect to the investments of one or more clients that is not given
or taken with respect to other clients with similar investment programs,
objectives, and strategies. Accordingly, clients with similar
strategies will not always hold the same securities or instruments or achieve
the same performance. The Adviser’s investment teams also
advise clients with conflicting programs, objectives or strategies. These
conflicts also exist as between the Adviser’s clients, including
the Fund, and the Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by Eaton
Vance.
Morgan
Stanley and its affiliates maintain separate trading desks that operate
independently of each other and do not share information
with the Adviser. The Morgan Stanley and affiliate trading desks may compete
against the Adviser trading desks when implementing
buy and sell transactions, possibly causing certain Affiliated Investment
Accounts to pay more or receive less for a security
than other Affiliated Investment Accounts.
Investments
by Separate Investment Departments. The
entities and individuals that provide investment-related services for the
Fund and
certain other MS Investment Accounts (the “MS Investment Department”) may be
different from the entities and individuals
that provide investment-related services to Eaton Vance Investment Accounts (the
“Eaton Vance Investment Department”
and, together with the MS Investment Department, the “Investment Departments”).
Although Morgan Stanley has implemented
information barriers between the Investment Departments in accordance with
internal policies and procedures, each Investment
Department may engage in discussions and share information and resources with
the other Investment Department on certain
investment-related matters. The sharing of information and resources between the
Investment Departments is designed to further
increase the knowledge and effectiveness of each Investment Department. Because
each Investment Department generally makes
investment decisions and executes trades independently of the other, the quality
and price of execution, and the performance of
investments and accounts, can be expected to vary. In addition, each Investment
Department may use different trading systems and
technology and may employ differing investment and trading strategies. As a
result, an Eaton Vance Investment Account could trade in
advance of the Fund (and vice versa), might complete trades more quickly and
efficiently than the Fund, and/or achieve different
execution than the Fund on the same or similar investments made
contemporaneously, even when the Investment Departments
shared research and viewpoints that led to that investment decision. Any sharing
of information or resources between the
Investment Department servicing the Fund and the Eaton Vance Investment
Department may result, from time to time, in the Fund
simultaneously or contemporaneously seeking to engage in the same or similar
transactions as an account serviced by the other Investment
Department and for which there are limited buyers or sellers on specific
securities, which could result in less favorable execution
for the Fund than such Affiliated Investment Account. The MS Investment
Department will not knowingly or intentionally
cause the Fund to engage in a cross trade with an account serviced by the Eaton
Vance Investment Department, however,
subject to applicable law and internal policies and procedures, the Fund may
conduct cross trades with other accounts serviced
by the MS Investment Department. Although the MS Investment Department may
aggregate the Fund’s trades with trades of other
accounts serviced by the MS Investment Department, subject to applicable law and
internal policies and procedures, there will be no
aggregation or coordination of trades with accounts serviced by the Eaton Vance
Investment Department, even when both Investment
Departments are seeking to acquire or dispose of the same investments
contemporaneously.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. The
Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay compensation, out of their
own funds and not as an expense of the Fund, to certain Financial Intermediaries
(which may include affiliates of the Adviser and the
Distributor), including recordkeepers and administrators of various deferred
compensation plans, in connection with the sale, distribution,
marketing and retention of shares of the Fund and/or shareholder servicing. For
example, the Adviser or the Distributor may pay
additional compensation to a Financial Intermediary for, among other things,
promoting the sale and distribution of Fund shares,
providing access to various programs, mutual fund platforms or preferred or
recommended mutual fund lists that may be offered by
a Financial Intermediary, granting the Distributor access to a Financial
Intermediary’s financial advisors and consultants, providing
assistance in the ongoing education and training of a Financial 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 distribution fees, shareholder servicing
fees and/or transfer agency fees that may be payable by
the Fund. The additional payments may be based on various factors, including
level of sales (based on gross or net sales or some
specified minimum sales or some other similar criteria related to sales of the
Fund and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds),
amount of assets invested by the Financial Intermediary’s customers (which could
include current or aged assets of the Fund and/or
some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds), a Fund’s advisory fee, some other
agreed upon amount or other measures as determined
from time to time by the Adviser and/or the Distributor. The amount of these
payments may be different for different Financial
Intermediaries.
The
prospect of receiving, or the receipt of, additional compensation, as described
above, by Financial Intermediaries may provide such
Financial Intermediaries and their financial advisors and other salespersons
with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Fund over other
investment options with respect to which these Financial 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 Fund or the amount that the Fund 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 Fund shares and should review
carefully any disclosures provided by Financial Intermediaries as to their
compensation.
In
addition, in certain circumstances, the Adviser restricts, limits or reduces the
amount of the Fund’s investment, or restricts the type of
governance or voting rights it acquires or exercises, where the Fund
(potentially together with Morgan Stanley) exceeds a certain ownership
interest, or possesses certain degrees of voting or control or has other
interests.
Morgan
Stanley Trading and Principal Investing Activities.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Morgan Stanley will
generally conduct its sales and trading businesses, publish research and
analysis, and render investment advice without regard for a Fund’s
holdings, although these activities could have an adverse impact on the value of
one or more of the Fund’s investments, or could
cause Morgan Stanley to have an interest in one or more portfolio investments
that is different from, and potentially adverse to that of a
Fund. Furthermore, from time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may invest
“seed” capital in a Fund, typically to enable the Fund
to commence investment operations and/or achieve sufficient scale. The Adviser
and its affiliates may hedge such seed capital
exposure by investing in derivatives or other instruments expected to produce
offsetting exposure. Such hedging transactions, if any,
would occur outside of a Fund.
Morgan
Stanley’s sales and trading, financing and principal investing businesses
(whether or not specifically identified as such, and including
Morgan Stanley’s trading and principal investing businesses) will not be
required to offer any investment opportunities to a Fund.
These businesses may encompass, among other things, principal trading activities
as well as principal investing.
Morgan
Stanley’s sales and trading, financing and principal investing businesses have
acquired or invested in, and in the future may acquire or
invest in, minority and/or majority control positions in equity or debt
instruments of diverse public and/or private companies.
Such activities may put Morgan Stanley in a position to exercise contractual,
voting or creditor rights, or management or other
control with respect to securities or loans of portfolio investments or other
issuers, and in these instances Morgan Stanley may, in its
discretion and subject to applicable law, act to protect its own interests or
interests of clients, and not a Fund’s interests.
Subject to
the limitations of applicable law, a Fund may purchase from or sell assets to,
or make investments in, companies in which Morgan
Stanley has or may acquire an interest, including as an owner, creditor or
counterparty.
Morgan
Stanley’s Investment Banking and Other Commercial Activities. Morgan
Stanley advises clients on a variety of mergers, acquisitions,
restructuring, bankruptcy and financing transactions. Morgan Stanley may act as
an advisor to clients, including other investment
funds that may compete with a Fund and with respect to investments that a Fund
may hold. Morgan Stanley may give advice and
take action with respect to any of its clients or proprietary accounts that may
differ from the advice given, or may involve an action
of a different timing or nature than the action taken, by a Fund. Morgan Stanley
may give advice and provide recommendations
to persons competing with a Fund and/or any of a Fund’s investments that are
contrary to the Fund’s best interests and/or the
best interests of any of its investments.
Morgan
Stanley could be engaged in financial advising, whether on the buy-side or
sell-side, or in financing or lending assignments that could
result in Morgan Stanley’s determining in its discretion or being required to
act exclusively on behalf of one or more third parties,
which could limit a Fund’s ability to transact with respect to one or more
existing or potential investments. Morgan Stanley may have
relationships with third-party funds, companies or investors who may have
invested in or may look to invest in portfolio companies,
and there could be conflicts between a Fund’s best interests, on the one hand,
and the interests of a Morgan Stanley client or
counterparty, on the other hand.
To the
extent that Morgan Stanley advises creditor or debtor companies in the financial
restructuring of companies either prior to or after
filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or similar
laws in other jurisdictions, the Adviser’s flexibility
in making investments in such restructurings on a Fund’s behalf may be
limited.
Morgan
Stanley could provide investment banking services to competitors of portfolio
companies, as well as to private equity and/or private
credit funds; such activities may present Morgan Stanley with a conflict of
interest vis-a-vis a Fund’s investment and may also result in
a conflict in respect of the allocation of investment banking resources to
portfolio companies.
To the
extent permitted by applicable law, Morgan Stanley may provide a broad range of
financial services to companies in which a Fund
invests, including strategic and financial advisory services, interim
acquisition financing and other lending and underwriting or placement
of securities, and Morgan Stanley generally will be paid fees (that may include
warrants or other securities) for such services.
Morgan Stanley will not share any of the foregoing interest, fees and other
compensation received by it (including, for the avoidance
of doubt, amounts received by the Adviser) with a Fund, and any advisory fees
payable will not be reduced thereby.
Morgan
Stanley may be engaged to act as a financial advisor to a company in connection
with the sale of such company, or subsidiaries
or divisions thereof, may represent potential buyers of businesses through its
mergers and acquisition activities and may provide
lending and other related financing services in connection with such
transactions. Morgan Stanley’s compensation for such activities
is usually based upon realized consideration and is usually contingent, in
substantial part, upon the closing of the transaction.
Under these circumstances, a Fund may be precluded from participating in a
transaction with or relating to the company being sold
or participating in any financing activity related to merger or
acquisition.
The
involvement or presence of Morgan Stanley in the investment banking and other
commercial activities described above (or the financial
markets more broadly) may restrict or otherwise limit investment opportunities
that may otherwise be available to the Fund. For
example, issuers may hire and compensate Morgan Stanley to provide underwriting,
financial advisory, placement agency, brokerage
services or other services and, because of limitations imposed by applicable law
and regulation, a Fund may be prohibited from
buying or selling securities issued by those issuers or participating in related
transactions or otherwise limited in its ability to engage in
such investments.
Morgan
Stanley’s Marketing Activities. Morgan
Stanley is engaged in the business of underwriting, syndicating, brokering,
administering,
servicing, arranging and advising on the distribution of a wide variety of
securities and other investments in which a Fund may
invest. Subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, including Sections 10(f)
and 17(e) thereof, a Fund may invest in transactions
in which Morgan Stanley acts as underwriter, placement agent, syndicator,
broker, administrative agent, servicer, advisor, arranger
or structuring agent and receives fees or other compensation from the sponsors
of such products or securities. Any fees earned by
Morgan Stanley in such capacity will not be shared with the Adviser or the Fund.
Certain conflicts of interest, in addition to the
receipt of fees or other compensation, would be inherent in these transactions.
Moreover, the interests of one of Morgan Stanley’s
clients with respect to an issuer of securities in which a Fund has an
investment may be adverse to the Adviser’s or a Fund’s best
interests. In conducting the foregoing activities, Morgan Stanley will be acting
for its other clients and will have no obligation to act in the
Adviser’s or a Fund’s best interests.
Client
Relationships. Morgan
Stanley has existing and potential relationships with a significant number of
corporations, institutions and
individuals. In providing services to its clients, Morgan Stanley may face
conflicts of interest with respect to activities recommended
to or performed for such clients, on the one hand, and a Fund, its shareholders
or the entities in which the Fund invests,
on the other hand. In addition, these client relationships may present conflicts
of interest in determining whether to offer certain
investment opportunities to a Fund.
In acting
as principal or in providing advisory and other services to its other clients,
Morgan Stanley may engage in or recommend activities
with respect to a particular matter that conflict with or are different from
activities engaged in or recommended by the Adviser on
a Fund’s behalf.
Principal
Investments. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, there may be situations in which a Fund’s
interests may conflict with the
interests of one or more general accounts of Morgan Stanley and its affiliates
or accounts managed by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates.
This may occur because these accounts hold public and private debt and equity
securities of many issuers which may be or become
portfolio companies, or from whom portfolio companies may be
acquired.
Transactions
with Portfolio Companies of Affiliated Investment Accounts. The
companies in which a Fund may invest may be counterparties
to or participants in agreements, transactions or other arrangements with
portfolio companies or other entities of portfolio
investments of Affiliated Investment Accounts (for example, a company in which a
Fund invests may retain a company in which an
Affiliated Investment Account invests to provide services or may acquire an
asset from such company or vice versa). Certain of these
agreements, transactions and arrangements involve fees, servicing payments,
rebates and/or other benefits to Morgan Stanley or its
affiliates. For example, portfolio entities may, including at the encouragement
of Morgan Stanley, enter into agreements regarding
group procurement and/or vendor discounts. Morgan Stanley and its affiliates may
also participate in these agreements and may
realize better pricing or discounts as a result of the participation of
portfolio entities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, certain of
these agreements may provide for commissions or similar payments and/or
discounts or rebates to be paid to a portfolio entity of
an Affiliated Investment Account, and such payments or discounts or rebates may
also be made directly to Morgan Stanley or its
affiliates. Under these arrangements, a particular portfolio company or other
entity may benefit to a greater degree than the other
participants, and the Morgan Stanley Funds, investment vehicles and accounts
(which may or may not include a Fund) that
own an
interest in such entity will receive a greater relative benefit from the
arrangements than the Morgan Stanley Funds, investment
vehicles or accounts that do not own an interest therein. Fees and compensation
received by portfolio companies of Affiliated
Investment Accounts in relation to the foregoing will not be shared with a Fund
or offset advisory fees payable.
Investments
in Portfolio Investments of Other Funds. To the
extent permitted by applicable law, when a Fund invests in certain companies
or other entities, other funds affiliated with the Adviser may have made or may
be making an investment in such companies
or other entities. Other funds that have been or may be managed by the Adviser
may invest in the companies or other entities
in which a Fund has made an investment. Under such circumstances, a Fund and
such other funds may have conflicts of interest
(e.g., over the terms, exit strategies and related matters, including the
exercise of remedies of their respective investments). If the
interests held by a Fund are different from (or take priority over) those held
by such other funds, the Adviser may be required to make a
selection at the time of conflicts between the interests held by such other
funds and the interests held by a Fund.
Allocation
of Expenses. Expenses
may be incurred that are attributable to a Fund and one or more other Affiliated
Investment Accounts
(including in connection with issuers in which a Fund and such other Affiliated
Investment Accounts have overlapping investments).
The allocation of such expenses among such entities raises potential conflicts
of interest. The Adviser and its affiliates intend to
allocate such common expenses among a Fund and any such other Affiliated
Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis or in such other
manner as the Adviser deems to be fair and equitable or in such other manner as
may be required by applicable law.
Temporary
Investments. To more
efficiently invest short-term cash balances held by a Fund, the Adviser may
invest such balances on an
overnight “sweep” basis in shares of one or more money market funds or other
short-term vehicles. It is anticipated that the investment
adviser to these money market funds or other short-term vehicles may be the
Adviser (or an affiliate) to the extent permitted
by applicable law, including Rule 12d1-1 under the 1940 Act. In such a case, the
affiliated investment adviser may receive asset-based
fees in respect of a Fund’s investment (which will reduce the net return
realized by a Fund).
Transactions
with Affiliates. The
Adviser and any investment sub-adviser might purchase securities from
underwriters or placement agents in
which a Morgan Stanley affiliate is a member of a syndicate or selling group, as
a result of which an affiliate might benefit from the
purchase through receipt of a fee or otherwise. Neither the Adviser nor any
investment sub-adviser will purchase securities on behalf
of a Fund from an affiliate that is acting as a manager of a syndicate or
selling group. Purchases by the Adviser on behalf of a Fund
from an affiliate acting as a placement agent must meet the requirements of
applicable law. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley may face
conflicts of interest when a Fund uses service providers affiliated with Morgan
Stanley because Morgan Stanley receives greater
overall fees when they are used.
General
Process for Potential Conflicts. All of
the transactions described above involve the potential for conflicts of interest
between
the Adviser, related persons of the Adviser and/or their clients. The Advisers
Act, the 1940 Act and ERISA impose certain requirements
designed to decrease the possibility of conflicts of interest between an
investment adviser and its clients. In some cases, transactions
may be permitted subject to fulfillment of certain conditions. Certain other
transactions may be prohibited. In addition, the
Adviser has instituted policies and procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest from arising and, when they do arise, to ensure
that it effects transactions for clients in a manner that is consistent with its
fiduciary duty to its clients and in accordance with applicable
law. The Adviser seeks to ensure that potential or actual conflicts of interest
are appropriately resolved taking into consideration
the overriding best interests of the client.
FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
APPENDIX
A — MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EQUITY PROXY VOTING POLICY
AND PROCEDURES
I.
POLICY STATEMENT
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management’s policy and procedures for voting proxies, the
Equity Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the
“Policy”), with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to
those Morgan Stanley Investment Management (“MSIM”)
entities that provide discretionary investment management services and for which
an MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies1. For
purposes of this Policy, clients shall include: Morgan Stanley U.S. registered
investment companies, other Morgan Stanley
pooled investment vehicles, and MSIM separately managed accounts (including
accounts for Employee Retirement Income Security
(“ERISA”) clients and ERISA-equivalent clients). 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
Saudi
Arabia, MSIM Fund Management (Ireland) Limited, Morgan Stanley Asia
Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management
(Japan) Co. Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private
Limited, Morgan
Stanley Eaton Vance CLO
Manager
LLC, and, Morgan
Stanley Eaton Vance CLO CM
LLC (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 U.S. registered investment companies sponsored, managed or
advised by any MSIM Affiliate (the “MS 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 MS Funds. |
■ |
For
other pooled investment vehicles (e.g., UCITS), 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 relevant
governing board. |
■ |
For
separately managed accounts (including ERISA and ERISA-equivalent
clients), each MSIM Affiliate will vote proxies under this
Policy pursuant to authority granted under the applicable investment
advisory agreement or investment management agreement.
Where an MSIM Affiliate has the authority to vote proxies on behalf of
ERISA and ERISA-equivalent clients, the MSIM
Affiliate must do so in accordance with its fiduciary duties under ERISA
(and the Internal Revenue Code). |
■ |
In
certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may reserve the authority to
vote proxies for itself or an outside party or may provide
an MSIM Affiliate with a statement of proxy voting policy. The MSIM
Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy.
|
An MSIM
Affiliate will not vote proxies unless the investment management agreement,
investment advisory agreement or other authority
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”) and this Policy. In addition to
voting proxies of portfolio companies, MSIM routinely
engages with, or, in
some cases, may engage a third party to engage with, the
management or board of companies in which we invest
on a range of environmental, social and governance issues. Governance is a
window into or proxy for management and board
quality. MSIM engages with companies where we have larger positions, voting
issues are material or 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 structures at investee companies and better inform
our voting decisions.
1 |
This
Policy does not apply to MSIM’s authority to exercise certain
decision-making rights associated with investments in loans and other
fixed income instruments (collectively,
for purposes hereof, “Fixed Income
Instruments”). |
Retention
and Oversight of Outsourced Proxy Voting - Certain
MSIM exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) will follow Calvert Research
and Management’s (“Calvert”) Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and the Global
Proxy Voting Guidelines set forth in Appendix A
of the Calvert Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. MSIM’s oversight of
Calvert’s proxy voting engagement is ongoing pursuant
to the 40 Act Fund Service Provider and Vendor Oversight Policy.
Retention
and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms
-
Institutional Shareholder 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, record
retention, ballot
processing and voting
recommendations.
To
facilitate proxy voting, MSIM has retained Research Providers to provide company
level reports that summarize key data elements contained
within an issuer’s proxy statement. Although we are aware of the voting
recommendations included in the Research Providers’
company level reports, these recommendations are not an input into our vote nor
is any potential vote prepopulated based on a
Research Provider’s research. MSIM votes all proxies based on its own proxy
voting policies,
consultation with the investment
teams,
and in the
best interests of each client. In addition to research, MSIM retains ISS to
provide vote
execution, reporting, and recordkeeping
services.
As part of
MSIM’s ongoing oversight of the Research Providers, MSIM performs periodic due
diligence on the Research Providers. Topics of
the reviews include, but are not limited to, conflicts of interest,
methodologies for developing their policies and vote recommendations,
and resources.
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.
Securities
Lending - MS
Funds or any other investment vehicle sponsored, managed or advised by
an MSIM
affiliate may participate
in a securities lending program through a third party provider. The voting
rights for shares that are out on loan are transferred
to the borrower and therefore, the lender (i.e., an MS Fund or another
investment vehicle sponsored, managed or advised by
an MSIM
affiliate) is not entitled to vote the lent shares at the company meeting. In
general, MSIM believes the revenue received from the
lending program outweighs the ability to vote and we will not recall shares for
the purpose of voting. However, in cases in which MSIM
believes the right to vote outweighs the revenue received, we reserve the right
to recall the shares on loan on a best efforts
basis.
II.
GENERAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
To promote
consistency in voting proxies on behalf of our clients, we follow this Policy
(subject to any exception set forth herein). As noted
above, certain ETFs will follow Calvert’s Global Proxy Voting Guidelines set
forth in Appendix A of Calvert’s Proxy Voting Policies
and Procedures and the proxy voting guidelines discussed in this section do not
apply to such ETFs. See Appendix A of Calvert’s
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for a general discussion of the proxy
voting guidelines to which these ETFs will be subject.
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 Review Committee (see Section
3) and is
consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.
Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (Morgan
Stanley AIP”) 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 and / or
priorities reflected in their mandates with respect to the
outcome of a particular voting
matter (such as a case in which varied ownership interests in two companies
involved in a merger result in different stakes in the
outcome). We also may split votes at times based on differing views of portfolio
managers.
We may
abstain from or vote against 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 do not support
proposals that allow companies to call a special
meeting with a short (generally two weeks or less) time frame for
review. |
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 withholding 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 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/remuneration, nominating/governance or audit committee. |
d |
We
consider withholding support from 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. Also, if
the board has failed to consider diversity,
including but not limited to, gender and ethnicity, in its board
composition. |
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 five public company
boards (excluding investment companies),
or public company CEOs that serve on more than two outside boards given
level
of time commitment required
in their primary job. |
k |
We
consider withholding support from or voting against a nominee where we
believe executive remuneration practices are poor,
particularly if the company does not offer shareholders a separate
“say-on-pay” advisory vote on pay. |
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 66⅔%) of the company’s
board members be independent directors, and promoting all-independent
audit, compensation and nominating/governance
committees. |
4 |
Board
Diversity: We
generally support shareholder proposals urging diversity of board
membership with respect to gender, race or
other factors where we believe the board has failed to take these factors
into account. We
will also consider not supporting the re-election
of the nomination committee and/or chair (or other resolutions when the
nomination chair is not up for re- election) where
we perceive limited progress in gender diversity, with the expectation
where feasible and with consideration of any idiosyncrasies
of individual markets, that female directors represent not less than a
third of the board, unless there is evidence that
the company has made significant progress in this area. In markets where
information on director ethnicity is available, and it
is legal to obtain it, and where it is relevant, we will generally also
consider not supporting the re-election of the nomination committee
chair (or other resolutions when the nomination chair is not up for
re-election) if the board lacks ethnic diversity and has
not outlined a credible diversity strategy. |
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 proposals on procedures for inclusion of shareholder nominees and
to have those nominees included in
the company’s proxy statement and on the company’s proxy ballot on a
case-by-case basis. Considerations include ownership thresholds,
holding periods, the number of directors that shareholders may nominate
and any restrictions on forming a group |
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
United States, 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 United States, we consider such
proposals on a case-by-case basis, considering, among
other things, the existing board leadership structure, company
performance, and any 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 their 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.) |
■ |
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 preemptive 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.
Also, we oppose provisions
that do not allow shareholders any right to amend the charter
of
bylaws. |
3 |
Shareholders
Right
to Call a Special Meeting: We
consider proposals to enhance a shareholder’s rights to call meetings on a
case-by-case
basis. At large-cap U.S. companies, we generally support efforts to
establish the right of holders of 10% or more of shares
to call special meetings, unless the board or state law has set a policy
or law establishing such rights at a threshold that we believe
to be acceptable. |
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 provisions. |
■ |
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) or proposals that require companies to adopt a
provision requiring an executive to receive accelerated
vesting of equity awards if there is a change of control and the executive
is terminated. 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
shareholder proposals where we consider SERPs
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. |
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 and Environmental Issues.
Shareholders in the United States and certain other markets submit proposals
encouraging changes in
company disclosure and practices related to particular social and environmental
matters. MSIM
believes that relevant social and
environmental issues,
including principal adverse sustainability impacts, can
influence risk and return.
Consequently,
we consider
how to vote on proposals related to social and environmental issues on a
case-by-case basis by determining the relevance of social
and environmental issues identified in the proposal and their likely impacts on
shareholder value. In reviewing proposals on social and
environmental issues, we consider a company’s current disclosures and our
understanding of the company’s management of
material social and environmental issues in comparison to peers. 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 and we may oppose
proposals that intrude excessively on management prerogatives and/or board
discretion. We generally vote against proposals requesting
reports or actions that we believe are duplicative, related to matters not
material to the business, or that would impose unnecessary
or excessive costs. We
consider proposals on these sustainability risks, opportunities and impacts on a
case-by-case basis but
generally support proposals that seek to enhance useful disclosure. We focus on
understanding the company’s business and commercial
context and recognise that there is no one size fits all that can apply to all
companies. In assessing and prioritising proposals,
we carefully reflect on the materiality of the issues as well as the sector and
geography in which the company operates. We also
consider the explanation companies provide where they may depart from best
practice to assess the adequacy and appropriateness of
measures that are in place.
Environmental Issues
We
generally support proposals that, if implemented, would enhance useful
disclosure on
climate, biodiversity, and other environmental
risks such as
disclosures aligned with SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) and
the TCFD (Task Force on
Climate-related Financial Disclosures). We also generally support proposals that
aim to meaningfully reduce or mitigate a company’s
impact on the global climate. We
generally will support reasonable proposals to reduce negative environmental
impacts and
ameliorate a company’s overall environmental footprint, including any threats to
biodiversity in ecologically sensitive areas. We generally
will also support proposals asking companies to report on their environmental
practices, policies and impacts, including environmental
damage and health risks resulting from operations, and the impact of
environmental liabilities on shareholder value.
Social Issues
We
generally support proposals that, if implemented, would enhance useful
disclosure on employee and board diversity, including gender,
race, and other factors. We consider proposals on other social issues on a
case-by-case basis but generally support proposals that:
■ |
Seek
to enhance useful disclosure or improvements on material issues such as
human rights risks, supply chain management. workplace
safety, human capital management and pay
equity. |
■ |
Encourage
policies to eliminate gender-based violence and other forms of harassment
from the workplace. |
We may
consider withholding support where we have material concerns in relation to a
company’s involvement/remediation of a breach of
global conventions such as UN Global Compact Principles on Human Rights, Labour
Standards, Environment and Business
Malpractice
J.
Funds of Funds. Certain
MS Funds advised by an MSIM Affiliate invest only in other MS 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. In markets where
proportional voting is not available we will not vote at the meeting, unless
otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.
Other MS Funds invest in unaffiliated funds. If an unaffiliated underlying fund
has a shareholder meeting and the MS Fund owns
more than 25% of the voting shares of the underlying fund, the MS 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 to the extent possible.
Voting
Conditions Triggered Under Rule 12d1-4
Rule
12d1-4 sets forth the conditions under which a registered fund (“acquiring
fund”) may invest in excess of the statutory limits of Section
12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act (for example by owning more than 3% of the total
outstanding voting stock) in another registered fund
(“acquired fund”). In the event that a Morgan Stanley “acquiring fund” invests
in an “acquired fund” in reliance on Rule 12d1-4 under
the 1940 Act, and the MS Fund and its “advisory group” (as defined in Rule
12d1-4) hold more than (i) 25% of the total outstanding
voting stock of a particular open-end fund (including ETFs) or (ii) 10% of the
total outstanding voting stock of a particular
closed-end fund, the Morgan Stanley “acquiring fund” and its “advisory group”
will be required to vote all shares of the open- or
closed-end fund held by the fund and its “advisory group” in the same proportion
as the votes of the other shareholders of the open-
or closed-end fund.
Because
MSIM and Eaton Vance are generally considered part of the same “advisory group,”
an Eaton Vance “acquiring fund” that is required
to comply with the voting conditions set forth in Rule 12d1-4 could potentially
implicate voting conditions for a MS Fund invested
in the same open- or closed-end fund as the Eaton Vance “acquiring fund.” The
Committee will be notified by Compliance if the
conditions are triggered for a particular open- or closed-end fund holding in an
MS Fund. In the event that the voting conditions
in Rule 12d1-4 are triggered, please refer to the Morgan Stanley Funds Fund of
Funds Investment Policy for specific information
on Rule 12d1-4 voting requirements and exceptions.
III.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY
The MSIM
Proxy Review Committee (the “Committee”) has overall responsibility for the
Policy. The Committee consists of investment
professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic
locations of MSIM, and is chaired by the director
of the Global Stewardship Team (“GST”). Because proxy voting is an investment
responsibility and may affect shareholder value, and
because of their knowledge of companies and markets as well
as their understanding of their clients’ objectives,
portfolio managers
and other members of investment staff play a key role in proxy voting,
and the
GST will consult with investment teams ahead of
decisions on proxy
votes. Consequently,
there may be instances where we may split votes at times based on differing
views of portfolio
managers and / or different client objectives. The GST
administers and implements the Policy, as well as monitoring services
provided by the proxy advisory firms,
third-party proxy engagements and other
research providers used in the proxy voting process. As noted
above, certain ETFs will follow Calvert’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures,
which is administered by Calvert’s Proxy
Voting and Engagement Department and overseen by Calvert’s Proxy Voting and
Engagement Committee. The GST periodically
monitors Calvert’s proxy voting with respect to securities held by the
ETFs.
The GST
Director is responsible for identifying issues that require Committee
deliberation or ratification. The GST, 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 GST has responsibility for voting case-by-case
where guidelines and precedent provide adequate guidance.
The
Committee may periodically review and has the authority to amend, as necessary,
the Policy and establish and direct voting positions
consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.
GST 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 client 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 or
investment
guidelines 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 managed pursuant to Index Strategies, and the
proxy relates to a matter that is not described
in this Policy, the GST 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
material
“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 GST.
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 GST Director determines that
an issue raises a material conflict of interest, the GST
Director may request a special committee (“Special Committee”) to review, and
recommend a course of action with respect to, the
conflict(s) in question.
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 MS 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). |
4 |
One
of Morgan Stanley’s independent directors or one of MS Funds’ directors
also serves on the board of directors or is a nominee
for election to the board of directors of a company held by an MS Fund or
affiliate. |
If the GST
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 GST Director will
refer the matter to a Special Committee to vote on the
proposal, as appropriate. |
Any
Special Committee shall be comprised of the GST Director, and at least two
portfolio managers (preferably members of the Committee),
as approved by the Committee. The GST 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 GST for a period of at least six years. To the extent these decisions
relate to a security held by an MS Fund, the GST will
report the decisions to each applicable Board of Trustees/Directors of those MS
Funds (the “Board”) 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.
In
addition, to the extent that Committee and Special Committee decisions and
actions relate to a security held by other pooled investment
vehicles, the GST will report the decisions to the relevant governing board of
the pooled investment vehicle.
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, in conjunction with GST and GST IT for MS Fund reporting and
with the AIP investment team for AIP
Closed-End 40 Act Fund reporting, is responsible for filing an annual Form N-PX
on behalf of each MS Fund and AIP Closed-End 40 Act
Fund for which such filing is required, indicating how all proxies were voted
with respect to each such fund’s holdings.
Also, MSIM
maintains voting records of individual agenda items a company
meetings in a searchable database on its website on a rolling
12-month basis.
In
addition, ISS provides vote execution, reporting and recordkeeping services to
MSIM.
IV.
RECORDKEEPING
Records
are retained in accordance with Morgan Stanley’s Global Information Management
Policy, which establishes general Firm-wide
standards and procedures regarding the retention, handling, and destruction of
official books and records and other information
of legal
or operational significance. The Global Information Management Policy
incorporates Morgan Stanley’s Master Retention Schedule,
which lists various record classes and associated retention periods on a global
basis.
Approved
by the Board September 2015, September 27-28, 2016, September 27-28, 2017,
October 3-4, 2018, September 24-25, 2019, September
30-October 1, 2020, March
1-2, 2022; December 7-8, 2022.
APPENDIX
A
Appendix A
applies to the following accounts managed by Morgan Stanley AIP GP
LP (i)
closed-end funds registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended; (ii) discretionary separate accounts; (iii)
unregistered funds; and (iv) non-discretionary
accounts offered in connection with AIP’s Custom Advisory Portfolio Solutions
service.
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 Markets investment team or
the Portfolio Solutions team of AIP. A summary of
decisions made by the applicable 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. |
APPENDIX
B — DESCRIPTION OF RATINGS
Standard
& Poor’s Ratings Services
An S&P
Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific
financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific
financial program (including ratings on medium-term note
programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the
creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other
forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the
currency in which the obligation is denominated. The
opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and
willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due,
and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and
subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event
of default.
Issue
credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are
generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term
in the relevant market. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the
creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features
on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term
ratings.
I.
S&P’s Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings
AAA: An
obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global
Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments
on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An
obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small
degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation is very strong.
A: An
obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet
its financial commitments on the obligation is still
strong.
BBB: An
obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse
economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation.
BB; B;
CCC; CC; and 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 exposure to adverse conditions.
BB: An
obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative
issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties
or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could
lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its
financial commitments on the obligation.
B: An
obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated
‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its
financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or
economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity
or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.
CCC: An
obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent
upon favorable business, financial, and economic
conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments 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 commitments on the obligation.
CC: An
obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’
rating is used when a default has not yet occurred
but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless
of the anticipated time to default.
C: An
obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the
obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority
or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated
higher.
D: An
obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For
non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category
is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless
S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments
will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period
or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30
calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy
petition or the taking of similar action and where
default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic
stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to
‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
NR: Indicates
that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
Note: Ratings
from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-)
sign to show relative standing within the rating
categories.
II.
S&P’s Short-Term Issue Credit Ratings
A-1: A
short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P
Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain
obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates
that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these
obligations is extremely strong.
A-2: A
short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic
conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s
capacity to meet its financial commitments on the
obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A
short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial
commitments on the obligation.
B: A
short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant
speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the
capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate
capacity to meet its financial commitments.
C: A
short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is
dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic
conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the
obligation.
D: A
short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed
promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating
category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due,
unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments
will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period
longer than five business days will be treated as five
business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy
petition or the taking of a similar action and where
default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic
stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to
‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.
NR: Indicates
that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.
III.
Municipal Short-Term Note Ratings
SP-1: Strong
capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very
strong capacity to pay debt service is given a plus (+)
designation.
SP-2:
Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to
adverse financial and economic changes over the term of
the notes.
SP-3:
Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
D: ‘D’ is
assigned upon failure to pay the note when due, completion of a distressed
exchange offer, or the filing of a bankruptcy petition
or the taking of similar action anywhere default on an obligation is a virtual
certainty, for example, due to automatic stay provisions.
Moody’s
Investors, Inc.
Ratings
assigned on Moody’s global long-term and short-term rating scales are
forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial
obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions,
structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public
sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with
an original maturity of one year or more and reflect
both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the
expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of
thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood
of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss
suffered in the event of default.
I.
Moody’s Global Long-Term Rating Scale
Aaa:
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the
lowest level of credit risk.
Aa:
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very
low credit risk.
A:
Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low
credit risk.
Baa:
Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate
credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative
characteristics.
Ba:
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial
credit risk.
B:
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit
risk.
Caa:
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are
subject to very high credit risk.
Ca:
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near,
default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and
interest.
C:
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with
little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moody’s
appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to 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.
Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of
hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities
firms.
II.
Moody’s Global Short-Term Rating Scale
P-1: Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
P-2: Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay
short-term debt obligations.
P-3: Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay
short-term obligations.
NP: Issuers
(or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime
rating categories.
Fitch
Ratings Inc.
Fitch
Ratings’ credit ratings relating to issuers are an opinion on the relative
ability of an entity to meet financial commitments, such as
interest, preferred dividends, repayment of principal, insurance claims or
counterparty obligations. Credit ratings relating to securities
and obligations of an issuer can include a recovery expectation. Credit ratings
are used by investors as indications of the likelihood
of receiving the money owed to them in accordance with the terms on which they
invested. The agency’s credit ratings cover the
global spectrum of corporate, sovereign financial, bank, insurance, and public
finance entities (including supranational and sub-national
entities) and the securities or other obligations they issue, as well as
structured finance securities backed by receivables or other
financial assets.
I.
Fitch’s Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating Scale
AAA: Highest
credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk.
They are assigned only in cases 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. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They
indicate very strong capacity for payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable events.
A: High
credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The
capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered
strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business
or economic conditions than is the case for higher
ratings.
BBB: Good
credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are
currently low. The capacity for payment of financial
commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions
are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB:
Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate 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
that supports the servicing of financial commitments.
B: Highly
speculative. ‘B’ ratings indicate that material default 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: Near
default. A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in
standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity
is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating
for an issuer include: a. the issuer has entered into a
grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;
b. the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated
waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material
financial obligation; c. the formal announcement by the
issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange; d. a closed financing
vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that
it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of
the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.
RD:
Restricted default. ‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s
opinion has experienced: a. an uncured payment default or distressed
debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but b. has
not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration,
receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and c. has not
otherwise ceased operating. This would
include: i. the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of
debt; ii. the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period,
cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank
loan, capital markets security or other
material
financial obligation; iii. the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance
periods upon a payment default on one or more material
financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a
distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial
obligations.
D: Default.
‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into
bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation
or other formal winding-up procedure or that 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, categorized under ‘C’, 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.
Note: The
modifiers “+” or “-“ may be appended to a rating to denote relative status
within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added
to ‘AAA’ ratings and ratings below the ‘CCC’ category.
II.
Fitch’s Short-Term Ratings Assigned to Issuers or Obligations in Corporate,
Public and Structure Finance
F1: Highest
Short-Term Credit Quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely
payment of financial commitments; may have an
added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good
Short-Term Credit Quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments.
F3: Fair
Short-Term Credit Quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments is adequate.
B:
Speculative Short-Term Credit Quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability
to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High
Short-Term Default Risk. Default is a real possibility.
RD:
Restricted Default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its
financial commitments, although it continues to meet other
financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.
D: Default.
Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a
short-term obligation.
Note: The
modifiers “+” or “-“ may be appended to a rating to denote relative status
within major rating categories. For the short-term
rating category of ‘F1’, a ‘+’ may be appended.
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