As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on August 25, 2025
Registration Nos.: 333-104972
811-21339
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF
1933 |
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Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 |
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and/or
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
ACT OF 1940 |
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Amendment No. 60 |
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Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1585 Broadway
New York, New York 10036
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including
Area Code: (800) 869-6397
Deidre E. Walsh, Esq.
1 Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
| Mark F. Parise, Esq. |
Allison Fumai, Esq. |
| Morgan,
Lewis and Bockius LLP |
Dechert LLP |
| One State Street |
1095 Avenue of the Americas |
| Hartford, CT 06103 |
New York, New York 10036 |
| Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: |
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| As soon as practicable after this Post-Effective Amendment becomes effective. |
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| It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
box): |
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Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
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On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
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| If appropriate, check the following box: |
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| ☐ |
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective
amendment. |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds
Institutional Plus Class Portfolios
Government Portfolio
Treasury Portfolio
Treasury Securities Portfolio
Prospectus | August 25, 2025
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Fund
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Ticker Symbol
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Government Portfolio
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MPXXX
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Treasury Portfolio
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MRXXX
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
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MSXXX
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The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
An investment in a Fund is not guaranteed or endorsed by a bank, is not a bank deposit or obligation thereof, and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. An investment in a Fund involves investment risks, and you may lose money investing in the Fund.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Government Portfolio (the “Fund”) seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund. The Fund does not charge any sales loads or other fees when you purchase or redeem shares. You may pay fees other than the fees and expenses of the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and other fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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| | Institutional Plus Class |
| Advisory Fee | 0.15% |
| Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee | None |
| Other Expenses1 | 0.05% |
| Shareholder Administration Fee | 0.02% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.22% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.05% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.17% |
Example
The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods, your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Institutional Plus Class
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$17 |
$66 |
$119 |
$275 |
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and in repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. A “government money market fund” is exempt from requirements that permit and, under certain circumstances, require money market funds to impose a “liquidity fee” on redemptions. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and in repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Investments in the Fund involve risks and you should not rely on the Fund as a complete investment program. The relative significance of each risk factor summarized below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Government Portfolio (Cont’d)
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. MSIM, the Fund’s sponsor, is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress.
The principal risks of investing in the Fund include:
| • | Credit and Interest Rate Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer or guarantor of a security, or counterparty to a transaction, will be unable or unwilling or perceived to be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt or otherwise honor its obligations, including the risk of default. In such instances, the value of the Fund could decline and the Fund could lose money. If an issuer’s, guarantor’s or counterparty’s financial condition worsens, the credit quality of the issuer, guarantor or counterparty may deteriorate. Credit ratings may not be an accurate assessment of financial condition, liquidity or credit risk. Although credit ratings may not accurately reflect the true credit risk of an instrument, a change in the credit rating of an instrument or an issuer, guarantor or counterparty, or the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of an instrument or issuer, guarantor or counterparty can have a rapid, adverse effect on the instrument’s value and liquidity and make it more difficult for the Fund to sell at an advantageous price or time. Interest rate risk refers to the decline in the value of a fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. A wide variety of market and economic factors can cause interest rates to rise or fall, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation, disinflation or deflation, and changes in general economic conditions. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up but the yield or income from new issuances of fixed-income securities generally decreases. Securities with longer durations will generally be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of and income generated by fixed-income instruments held by the Fund. The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and/or uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and may detract from Fund performance. A changing interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of market volatility and increased redemptions. |
| • | Fixed-Income Securities. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity (i.e., interest rate risk), market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The Fund may be subject to certain liquidity risks that may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities. |
| • | U.S. Government Securities. Different types of U.S. government securities are subject to different levels of credit risk, including the risk of default, depending on the nature of the particular government support for that security. For example, a U.S. government-sponsored entity, such as Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, although chartered or sponsored by an Act of Congress, may issue securities that are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. With respect to U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, there is the risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. U.S. government securities are also subject to interest rate risks and can exhibit price fluctuations resulting from increases or decreases in interest rates. |
| • | Market and Geopolitical Risk. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which change due to economic and other events that affect the U.S. and global markets generally, as well as those that affect or are perceived or expected to affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies, issuers, sectors, asset classes or governments. These types of events may be sudden and unexpected, and could adversely affect the value (or income generated by) and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which may in turn impact the Fund’s ability to sell securities and/or its ability to meet redemptions. The risks associated with these developments may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as war, natural disasters or events, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts, social unrest, recessions, inflation, interest rate changes and supply chain disruptions) adversely interrupt or otherwise affect the global economy and financial markets. It is difficult to predict when events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets or economies may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). These types of events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and have a significant and rapid negative impact on the performance or value of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Government Portfolio (Cont’d)
| • | Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are subject to risks associated with the possibility of default by the seller at a time when the collateral has declined in value, or insolvency of the seller, which may affect the Fund’s right to control the collateral and result in certain costs and delays. Repurchase agreements may involve a greater degree of credit risk than investments in U.S. government securities. |
| • | Large Transactions Risk. The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, or a number of shareholders collectively, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly. Such larger than normal shareholder redemptions may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and negatively impact the Fund’s liquidity. In some circumstances, the Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions. These large redemptions may also force the Fund to sell portfolio securities or other assets when it might not otherwise do so, which may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and increase the Fund’s transaction costs. In addition, large purchases of Fund shares may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. Finally, large redemptions may cause the Fund to impose a discretionary liquidity fee. |
| • | Stable NAV Risk. The Fund may not be able to maintain a stable $1.00 share price at all times. If the Fund or another money market fund fails to maintain a stable NAV (or if there is a perceived threat of the inability to maintain a stable NAV), the Fund could be subject to increased redemptions, which may adversely impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. |
| • | Active Management Risk. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser has considerable leeway in deciding which investments to buy, hold or sell on a day-to-day basis, and which trading strategies to use. For example, the Adviser, in its discretion, may determine to use some permitted trading strategies while not using others. The success or failure of such decisions will affect the Fund’s performance. |
Please see “Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of risks of investing in the Fund. Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance Information
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares from year-to-year and by showing the average annual returns of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares for the one, five and 10 year periods. The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity.
Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years
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| High Quarter | 12/31/23 | 1.31% |
| Low Quarter | 09/30/20 | 0.00% |
The year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2025 was 2.11%.
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the Periods Ended December 31, 2024)
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| | Past One Year | Past Five Years | Past Ten Years |
| Government Portfolio1 | 5.14% | 2.37% | 1.65% |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Government Portfolio (Cont’d)
You may obtain the Fund’s 7-day current yield by calling 1-888-378-1630.
Fund Management
Adviser. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund are available to investors who at the time of initial purchase make a minimum investment of $10 million. You may not be subject to the minimum investment requirement under certain circumstances. For more information, please refer to the section of this Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Minimum Investment Amount.”
Shares
of the Fund may be purchased or sold on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business (except
when the following federal holidays are observed: Columbus Day and Veterans Day) directly from the Fund by telephone (1-888-378-1630)
or by contacting an authorized third-party, such as a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary that has entered into a
selling agreement with the Fund’s “Distributor,” Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (each, a “Financial
Intermediary”). You may purchase and redeem shares online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity,
provided you have a pre-established Internet trading account. For more information, please refer to the sections of this Prospectus
entitled “Shareholder Information—How To Purchase Shares” and “Shareholder Information—How To
Redeem Shares.”
Selected accounts that utilize the Fund as their sweep vehicle will be reviewed on each business day and shares will automatically be purchased or sold to cover any credits or debits incurred that day.
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make dividends and distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you hold shares through a tax-exempt account or plan, such as an individual retirement account or 401(k) plan, in which case dividends and distributions on your shares generally will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-exempt account or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments, which may be significant in amount, may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Financial Intermediary’s web site for more information.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Treasury Portfolio (the “Fund”) seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund. The Fund does not charge any sales loads or other fees when you purchase or redeem shares. You may pay fees other than the fees and expenses of the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and other fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
| |
| | Institutional Plus Class |
| Advisory Fee | 0.15% |
| Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee | None |
| Other Expenses1 | 0.06% |
| Shareholder Administration Fee | 0.02% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.23% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.01% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.22% |
Example
The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods, your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Institutional Plus Class
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$23 |
$73 |
$129 |
$292 |
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. A “government money market fund” is exempt from requirements that permit and, under certain circumstances, require money market funds to impose a “liquidity fee” on redemptions. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Investments in the Fund involve risks and you should not rely on the Fund as a complete investment program. The relative significance of each risk factor summarized below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Portfolio (Cont’d)
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. MSIM, the Fund’s sponsor, is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress.
The principal risks of investing in the Fund include:
| • | Credit and Interest Rate Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer or guarantor of a security, or counterparty to a transaction, will be unable or unwilling or perceived to be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt or otherwise honor its obligations, including the risk of default. In such instances, the value of the Fund could decline and the Fund could lose money. If an issuer’s, guarantor’s or counterparty’s financial condition worsens, the credit quality of the issuer, guarantor or counterparty may deteriorate. Credit ratings may not be an accurate assessment of financial condition, liquidity or credit risk. Although credit ratings may not accurately reflect the true credit risk of an instrument, a change in the credit rating of an instrument or an issuer, guarantor or counterparty, or the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of an instrument or issuer, guarantor or counterparty can have a rapid, adverse effect on the instrument’s value and liquidity and make it more difficult for the Fund to sell at an advantageous price or time. Interest rate risk refers to the decline in the value of a fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. A wide variety of market and economic factors can cause interest rates to rise or fall, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation, disinflation or deflation, and changes in general economic conditions. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up but the yield or income from new issuances of fixed-income securities generally decreases. Securities with longer durations will generally be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of and income generated by fixed-income instruments held by the Fund. The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and/or uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and may detract from Fund performance. A changing interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of market volatility and increased redemptions. |
| • | Fixed-Income Securities. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity (i.e., interest rate risk), market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The Fund may be subject to certain liquidity risks that may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities. |
| • | U.S. Government Securities. Different types of U.S. government securities are subject to different levels of credit risk, including the risk of default, depending on the nature of the particular government support for that security. For example, a U.S. government-sponsored entity, such as Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, although chartered or sponsored by an Act of Congress, may issue securities that are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. With respect to U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, there is the risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. U.S. government securities are also subject to interest rate risks and can exhibit price fluctuations resulting from increases or decreases in interest rates. |
| • | Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are subject to risks associated with the possibility of default by the seller at a time when the collateral has declined in value, or insolvency of the seller, which may affect the Fund’s right to control the collateral and result in certain costs and delays. Repurchase agreements may involve a greater degree of credit risk than investments in U.S. government securities. |
| • | Market and Geopolitical Risk. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which change due to economic and other events that affect the U.S. and global markets generally, as well as those that affect or are perceived or expected to affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies, issuers, sectors, asset classes or governments. These types of events may be sudden and unexpected, and could adversely affect the value (or income generated by) and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which may in turn impact the Fund’s ability to sell securities and/or its ability to meet redemptions. The risks associated with these developments may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as war, natural disasters or events, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts, social unrest, recessions, inflation, interest rate changes and supply chain disruptions) adversely interrupt or otherwise affect the global economy and financial markets. It is difficult to predict when events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets or economies may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). These types of events may |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Portfolio (Cont’d)
| | negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and have a significant and rapid negative impact on the performance or value of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. |
| • | Large Transactions Risk. The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, or a number of shareholders collectively, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly. Such larger than normal shareholder redemptions may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and negatively impact the Fund’s liquidity. In some circumstances, the Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions. These large redemptions may also force the Fund to sell portfolio securities or other assets when it might not otherwise do so, which may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and increase the Fund’s transaction costs. In addition, large purchases of Fund shares may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. Finally, large redemptions may cause the Fund to impose a discretionary liquidity fee. |
| • | Stable NAV Risk. The Fund may not be able to maintain a stable $1.00 share price at all times. If the Fund or another money market fund fails to maintain a stable NAV (or if there is a perceived threat of the inability to maintain a stable NAV), the Fund could be subject to increased redemptions, which may adversely impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. |
| • | Active Management Risk. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser has considerable leeway in deciding which investments to buy, hold or sell on a day-to-day basis, and which trading strategies to use. For example, the Adviser, in its discretion, may determine to use some permitted trading strategies while not using others. The success or failure of such decisions will affect the Fund’s performance. |
Please see “Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of risks of investing in the Fund. Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance Information
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares from year-to-year and by showing the average annual returns of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares for the one, five and 10 year periods. The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity.
Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years
| | |
| High Quarter | 12/31/23 | 1.30% |
| Low Quarter | 03/31/21 | 0.00% |
The year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2025 was 2.07%.
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the Periods Ended December 31, 2024)
| | | |
| | Past One Year | Past Five Years | Past Ten Years |
| Treasury Portfolio1 | 5.07% | 2.33% | 1.62% |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Portfolio (Cont’d)
You may obtain the Fund’s 7-day current yield by calling 1-888-378-1630.
Fund Management
Adviser. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund are available to investors who at the time of initial purchase make a minimum investment of $10 million. You may not be subject to the minimum investment requirement under certain circumstances. For more information, please refer to the section of this Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Minimum Investment Amount.”
Shares
of the Fund may be purchased or sold on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business (except
when the following federal holidays are observed: Columbus Day and Veterans Day) directly from the Fund by telephone (1-888-378-1630)
or by contacting an authorized third-party, such as a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary that has entered into a
selling agreement with the Fund’s “Distributor,” Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (each, a “Financial
Intermediary”). You may purchase and redeem shares online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity,
provided you have a pre-established Internet trading account. For more information, please refer to the sections of this Prospectus
entitled “Shareholder Information—How To Purchase Shares” and “Shareholder Information—How To
Redeem Shares.”
Selected accounts that utilize the Fund as their sweep vehicle will be reviewed on each business day and shares will automatically be purchased or sold to cover any credits or debits incurred that day.
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make dividends and distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you hold shares through a tax-exempt account or plan, such as an individual retirement account or 401(k) plan, in which case dividends and distributions on your shares generally will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-exempt account or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments, which may be significant in amount, may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Financial Intermediary’s web site for more information.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Securities Portfolio
Investment Objective
The Treasury Securities Portfolio (the “Fund”) seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Fees and Expenses
The table below describes the expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund. The Fund does not charge any sales loads or other fees when you purchase or redeem shares. You may pay fees other than the fees and expenses of the Fund, such as brokerage commissions and other fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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| | Institutional Plus Class |
| Advisory Fee | 0.15% |
| Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fee | None |
| Other Expenses1 | 0.06% |
| Shareholder Administration Fee | 0.02% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 0.23% |
| Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.01% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement2 | 0.22% |
Example
The example below is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods, your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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10 Years
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Institutional Plus Class
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$23 |
$73 |
$129 |
$292 |
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Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. A “government money market fund” is exempt from requirements that permit and, under certain circumstances, require money market funds to impose a “liquidity fee” on redemptions. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Principal Risks
There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. Investments in the Fund involve risks and you should not rely on the Fund as a complete investment program. The relative significance of each risk factor summarized below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Securities Portfolio (Cont’d)
You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. MSIM, the Fund’s sponsor, is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress.
The principal risks of investing in the Fund include:
| • | Credit and Interest Rate Risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer or guarantor of a security, or counterparty to a transaction, will be unable or unwilling or perceived to be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt or otherwise honor its obligations, including the risk of default. In such instances, the value of the Fund could decline and the Fund could lose money. If an issuer’s, guarantor’s or counterparty’s financial condition worsens, the credit quality of the issuer, guarantor or counterparty may deteriorate. Credit ratings may not be an accurate assessment of financial condition, liquidity or credit risk. Although credit ratings may not accurately reflect the true credit risk of an instrument, a change in the credit rating of an instrument or an issuer, guarantor or counterparty, or the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of an instrument or issuer, guarantor or counterparty can have a rapid, adverse effect on the instrument’s value and liquidity and make it more difficult for the Fund to sell at an advantageous price or time. Interest rate risk refers to the decline in the value of a fixed-income security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. A wide variety of market and economic factors can cause interest rates to rise or fall, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation, disinflation or deflation, and changes in general economic conditions. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up but the yield or income from new issuances of fixed-income securities generally decreases. Securities with longer durations will generally be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations. Fluctuations in interest rates may also affect the liquidity of and income generated by fixed-income instruments held by the Fund. The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and/or uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates. Changing interest rates may have unpredictable effects on the markets and may detract from Fund performance. A changing interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of market volatility and increased redemptions. |
| • | Fixed-Income Securities. Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity (i.e., interest rate risk), market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. The Fund may be subject to certain liquidity risks that may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities. |
| • | U.S. Government Securities. The U.S. government securities in which the Fund invests can be subject to two types of risk: credit risk and interest rate risk. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up. While the credit risk associated with these U.S. government securities generally is considered to be minimal, the interest rate risk can be substantial. |
| • | Market and Geopolitical Risk. The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which change due to economic and other events that affect the U.S. and global markets generally, as well as those that affect or are perceived or expected to affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies, issuers, sectors, asset classes or governments. These types of events may be sudden and unexpected, and could adversely affect the value (or income generated by) and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, which may in turn impact the Fund’s ability to sell securities and/or its ability to meet redemptions. The risks associated with these developments may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as war, natural disasters or events, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts, social unrest, recessions, inflation, interest rate changes and supply chain disruptions) adversely interrupt or otherwise affect the global economy and financial markets. It is difficult to predict when events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets or economies may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). These types of events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations and have a significant and rapid negative impact on the performance or value of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and exacerbate pre-existing risks to the Fund. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted. |
| • | Large Transactions Risk. The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, or a number of shareholders collectively, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund, which may occur rapidly or unexpectedly. Such larger than normal shareholder redemptions may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and negatively impact the Fund’s liquidity. In some circumstances, the Fund may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions. These large redemptions may also force the Fund to sell portfolio securities or other assets when it might not |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Securities Portfolio (Cont’d)
| | otherwise do so, which may affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price and increase the Fund’s transaction costs. In addition, large purchases of Fund shares may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. Finally, large redemptions may cause the Fund to impose a discretionary liquidity fee. |
| • | Stable NAV Risk. The Fund may not be able to maintain a stable $1.00 share price at all times. If the Fund or another money market fund fails to maintain a stable NAV (or if there is a perceived threat of the inability to maintain a stable NAV), the Fund could be subject to increased redemptions, which may adversely impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. |
| • | Active Management Risk. In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser has considerable leeway in deciding which investments to buy, hold or sell on a day-to-day basis, and which trading strategies to use. For example, the Adviser, in its discretion, may determine to use some permitted trading strategies while not using others. The success or failure of such decisions will affect the Fund’s performance. |
Please see “Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks” in the Fund’s prospectus for a more detailed description of risks of investing in the Fund. Shares of the Fund are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other government agency.
Performance Information
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares from year-to-year and by showing the average annual returns of the Fund’s Institutional Select Class shares for the one, five and 10 year periods. The Fund’s past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity.
Annual Total Returns—Calendar Years
| | |
| High Quarter | 12/31/23 | 1.31% |
| Low Quarter | 03/31/21 | 0.00% |
The year-to-date total return as of June 30, 2025 was 2.06%.
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the Periods Ended December 31, 2024)
| | | |
| | Past One Year | Past Five Years | Past Ten Years |
| Treasury Securities Portfolio1 | 5.07% | 2.31% | 1.59% |
You may obtain the Fund’s 7-day current yield by calling 1-888-378-1630.
Fund Management
Adviser. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Summary
Treasury Securities Portfolio (Cont’d)
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund are available to investors who at the time of initial purchase make a minimum investment of $10 million. You may not be subject to the minimum investment requirement under certain circumstances. For more information, please refer to the section of this Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Minimum Investment Amount.”
Shares
of the Fund may be purchased or sold on any day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for business (except
when the following federal holidays are observed: Columbus Day and Veterans Day) directly from the Fund by telephone (1-888-378-1630)
or by contacting an authorized third-party, such as a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary that has entered into a
selling agreement with the Fund’s “Distributor,” Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (each, a “Financial
Intermediary”). You may purchase and redeem shares online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity,
provided you have a pre-established Internet trading account. For more information, please refer to the sections of this Prospectus
entitled “Shareholder Information—How To Purchase Shares” and “Shareholder Information—How To
Redeem Shares.”
Selected accounts that utilize the Fund as their sweep vehicle will be reviewed on each business day and shares will automatically be purchased or sold to cover any credits or debits incurred that day.
Tax Information
The Fund intends to make dividends and distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you hold shares through a tax-exempt account or plan, such as an individual retirement account or 401(k) plan, in which case dividends and distributions on your shares generally will be taxed when withdrawn from the tax-exempt account or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the Fund through a Financial Intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay the Financial Intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments, which may be significant in amount, may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Financial Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Financial Intermediary’s web site for more information.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds | Details of the Funds
Investment Objective
The Government Portfolio seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Approach
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and in repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment. The Fund may change its principal investment strategies; however you would be notified of any changes.
The U.S. government securities that the Fund may purchase include:
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U.S. treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are direct obligations of the U.S. Government.
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Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing these obligations are the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration.
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Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from the U.S. Treasury. Among these agencies and instrumentalities are the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal Home Loan Banks.
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Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are backed solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among these agencies and instrumentalities is the Federal Farm Credit System.
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In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and in repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Process
The Adviser follows an investment process that seeks to select maturities based on the shape of the money market yield curve and based on the expectations as to future shifts in the level and shape of the curve, taking into consideration such factors as current short-term interest rates, Federal Reserve policy regarding interest rates and U.S. economic activity.
The Adviser actively manages the Fund’s assets in an attempt to reduce the risk of losing any principal investment as a result of credit or interest rate risks. The Fund’s assets are reviewed to maintain or improve creditworthiness. In addition, federal regulations require money market funds to invest only in debt obligations of high quality and short-term maturities.
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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds | Details of the Funds
Investment Objective
The Treasury Portfolio seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Approach
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment. The Fund may change its principal investment strategies; however you would be notified of any changes.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Process
The Adviser follows an investment process that seeks to select maturities based on the shape of the money market yield curve and based on the expectations as to future shifts in the level and shape of the curve, taking into consideration such factors as current short-term interest rates, Federal Reserve policy regarding interest rates and U.S. economic activity.
The Adviser actively manages the Fund’s assets in an attempt to reduce the risk of losing any principal investment as a result of credit or interest rate risks. The Fund’s assets are reviewed to maintain or improve creditworthiness. In addition, federal regulations require money market funds to invest only in debt obligations of high quality and short-term maturities.
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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds | Details of the Funds
Treasury Securities Portfolio
Investment Objective
The Treasury Securities Portfolio seeks preservation of capital, daily liquidity and maximum current income.
Approach
The Fund has adopted a policy to invest exclusively in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and, accordingly, qualifies as a “government money market fund” under federal regulations. The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash.
A “government money market fund” is a money market fund that invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by the foregoing. In selecting investments, the Adviser seeks to maintain the Fund’s share price at $1.00. The share price remaining stable at $1.00 means that the Fund would preserve the principal value of your investment. The Fund may change its principal investment strategies; however you would be notified of any changes.
In addition, the Fund has adopted a policy that provides, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund’s assets will be invested in U.S. Treasury obligations, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. This policy may be changed without shareholder approval; however, shareholders would be notified upon 60 days’ notice in writing of any changes.
Process
The Adviser follows an investment process that seeks to select maturities based on the shape of the money market yield curve and based on the expectations as to future shifts in the level and shape of the curve, taking into consideration such factors as current short-term interest rates, Federal Reserve policy regarding interest rates and U.S. economic activity.
The Adviser actively manages the Fund’s assets in an attempt to reduce the risk of losing any principal investment as a result of credit or interest rate risks. The Fund’s assets are reviewed to maintain or improve creditworthiness. In addition, federal regulations require money market funds to invest only in debt obligations of high quality and short-term maturities.
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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
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This section discusses additional information relating to the Funds’ investment strategies, other types of investments that a Fund may make and related risk factors. “Fund” as used herein and in the remainder of this Prospectus refers to each Fund listed on the cover page of this Prospectus (unless otherwise noted). The Fund’s investment practices and limitations are also described in more detail in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”), which is incorporated by reference and legally is a part of this Prospectus. For details on how to obtain a copy of the SAI and other reports and information, see the back cover of this Prospectus.
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Economies and financial markets worldwide have experienced periods of increased volatility, uncertainty, distress and government spending, inflation and disruption to consumer demand, economic output and supply chains. To the extent these conditions exist or continue, the risks associated with an investment in the Fund, including those described below, could be heightened and the Fund’s investments (and thus a shareholder’s investment in the Fund) may be particularly susceptible to reduced yield or income or other adverse developments. The occurrence, duration and extent of these or other types of adverse economic and market conditions and uncertainty over the long term cannot be reasonably projected or estimated at this time.
The Fund is actively managed. As a result, the Fund may not achieve its investment objective if the Adviser’s expectations regarding economic and market conditions, interest rates, or particular instruments are not met, and the Fund could underperform other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Stable NAV Risk
The Fund may not be able to maintain a stable $1.00 share price at all times. If the Fund or another money market fund fails to maintain a stable NAV (or such perception exists in the marketplace), the Fund could be subject to increased redemptions, which may adversely impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. In general, certain other money market funds have in the past failed to maintain stable NAVs, and there can be no assurance that such failures and resulting redemption pressures will not occur in the future. Neither the Fund’s sponsor nor any of its affiliates has a legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not rely on or expect that they or any person will provide any type of financial support to the Fund at any time to help the Fund maintain a stable $1.00 share price (such as purchasing distressed assets from the Fund, making capital infusions into the Fund, or taking other actions).
Credit and Interest Rate Risk
Fixed-income securities, such as bonds, generally are subject to two primary types of risk: credit risk and interest rate risk. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer or guarantor of a security, or counterparty to a transaction, will be unable or unwilling or perceived to be unable or unwilling to make interest payments and/or repay the principal on its debt or otherwise honor its obligations, including the risk of default. The risk of defaults across issuers, guarantors and/or counterparties increases in adverse market and economic conditions, and the degree of credit risk depends on the financial condition of the issuer, guarantor or counterparty and terms of the obligation. Credit ratings may not be an accurate assessment of financial condition, volatility, liquidity or credit risk, as the ratings do not evaluate market risks or necessarily reflect the issuer’s, guarantor’s or counterparty’s current financial condition or the volatility or liquidity of the security. Although credit quality may not accurately reflect the true credit risk of an instrument, a change in the credit rating of an instrument or an issuer, guarantor or counterparty, or the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of an instrument or issuer, guarantor or counterparty, can have a rapid, adverse effect on the instrument’s value and liquidity and make it more difficult for the Fund to sell at an advantageous price or time. In addition, under certain conditions, there may be an increasing amount of issuers that are unprofitable, have little cash on hand and/or are unable to pay the interest owed on their debt obligations and the number of such issuers may increase if demand for their goods and services falls, borrowing costs rise due to governmental action or inaction or other reasons. The Fund may also be subject to credit spread risk, which is the risk that economic and market conditions, or any actual or perceived credit deterioration, may lead to an increase in credit spreads (i.e., the difference in yield between two securities of similar maturity but different credit quality) and a decline in price of an issuer’s securities.
Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations (such as a decline) in the value of (or yield or income generated by) a fixed-income or other debt security resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. A wide variety of market and economic factors can cause interest rates to rise or fall, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation, disinflation or deflation, and changes in general economic conditions. When the general level of interest rates goes up, the prices of most fixed-income securities go down. When the general level of interest rates goes down, the prices of most fixed-income securities go up but the yield or income from new issuances of fixed-income securities generally decreases. Certain Funds may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Although these instruments are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes than fixed rate instruments, the value of these securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as quickly, or as much, as general interest rates. Duration measures the time-weighted expected cash flows of a fixed-income security. Securities with longer durations will generally be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than securities with shorter durations. Thus, the Fund’s susceptibility to interest rate risk will increase to the extent it has a longer average portfolio duration. The proceeds from prepaid or maturing instruments may have to be reinvested at a lower interest rate or on other less advantageous terms during a declining interest rate environment. In a rising interest rate environment, the duration of fixed-
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks (Con’t)
income securities may be extended, thus potentially reducing income and increasing interest rate risk. The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and/or uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates, which may occur at any time based on a range of factors and may be sudden, frequent and significant. For example, during periods when interest rates are low, the Fund’s yield (and total return) also may be low or otherwise adversely affected or the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns, minimize the volatility of the Fund’s NAV, maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share or pay Fund expenses out of current income, as applicable. Monetary policies, and market interest rates, are subject to change at any time and potentially frequently based on a variety of market and economic conditions. It is difficult to accurately predict the pace at which the Federal Reserve Board will change interest rates, or the timing, frequency or magnitude of such changes. The impact on fixed income and other debt instruments and market conditions from interest rate changes, regardless of the cause, could be significant and could adversely affect the Fund and its investments. Low or high interest rates could magnify the risks associated with changes in interest rates.
In general, changing interest rates could have unpredictable effects on markets and may expose debt and related markets to heightened volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. For example, during periods when interest rates are low, the Fund’s yield (and total return) also may be low or otherwise adversely affected or the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns.
Governmental authorities and regulators may enact significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, including providing direct capital infusions into companies, creating new monetary programs and changing interest rates considerably. These actions present heightened risks to debt instruments, and such risks could be even further heightened if these actions are unexpectedly or suddenly reversed or are ineffective in achieving their desired outcomes.
Liquidity
The Fund may make investments that are less liquid, illiquid or restricted or that may become illiquid or less liquid in response to, among other developments, overall economic conditions or adverse investor perceptions, and which may entail greater risk than investments in other types of securities. Illiquidity can also be caused by, among other things, a drop in overall market trading volume, an inability to find a willing buyer, or legal restrictions on the securities’ resale. These investments may be more difficult to value or sell, particularly in times of market turmoil, and there may be little trading in the secondary market available for particular securities. Liquidity risk may be magnified in a changing interest rate environment or in other circumstances where investor redemptions from money market and other fixed-income mutual funds may be higher than normal. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid or restricted security to fund redemptions or for other cash needs, it may be forced to sell the security at a loss or for less than its fair value and may be unable to sell the security at all.
U.S. Government Securities
Different types of U.S. government securities are subject to different levels of credit risk, including the risk of default, depending on the nature of the particular government support for that security. For example, a U.S. government-sponsored entity, such as Federal National Mortgage Association or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, although chartered or sponsored by an Act of Congress, may issue securities that are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and, therefore, are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. With respect to U.S. government securities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, there is the risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to such U.S. government agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises if it is not obligated to do so by law. U.S. government securities are also subject to interest rate risks and can exhibit price fluctuations resulting from increases or decreases in interest rates. The U.S. government securities in which the Fund may invest may pay fixed, floating, variable or adjustable interest rates. For more information about interest rate risks associated with the Fund’s investments in U.S. government securities, see “Credit and Interest Rate Risk”.
The U.S. government securities that the Fund may purchase include U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which are direct obligations of the U.S. government and may differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. In addition, the Fund may purchase securities issued or guaranteed by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Among the agencies and instrumentalities issuing these obligations are the Ginnie Mae and the Federal Housing Administration. Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government generally provide a lower current return than obligations of other issuers. The Fund may also purchase securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, but whose issuing agency or instrumentality has the right to borrow, to meet its obligations, from the U.S. Treasury. Among these agencies and instrumentalities are Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks. Further, the Fund may purchase securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities which are backed solely by the credit of the issuing agency or instrumentality. Among these agencies and instrumentalities is the Federal Farm Credit System. With respect to U.S. government securities not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, there is a risk that the U.S. government will not provide financial support to these agencies if it is not obligated to do so by law, and therefore these U.S. government securities involve greater credit risk than U.S. government securities backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The maximum potential liability of the issuers of some U.S. government securities held by the Fund may greatly exceed their current resources, including their legal right to support from the U.S. Treasury. It is possible that these issuers will not have the funds to meet their payment obligations in the future. The interest from U.S.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks (Con’t)
government securities generally is not subject to state and local taxation. In addition, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could increase the risk that the U.S. government may default on payments on U.S. government securities and may cause the credit rating of the U.S. government to be downgraded. Any uncertainty regarding the ability of the United States to repay its debt obligations, and any default by the U.S. government, would have a negative impact on the Fund’s investments in U.S. government securities. U.S. government securities generally have a lower return than other obligations.
Fixed-Income Securities
Fixed-income securities are securities that pay a fixed or a variable rate of interest until a stated maturity date. Fixed-income securities include U.S. government securities, securities issued by federal or federally sponsored agencies and instrumentalities, corporate bonds and notes, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, securities rated below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds” or “high yield/high risk securities”), municipal bonds, loan participations and assignments, zero coupon bonds, convertible securities, Eurobonds, Brady Bonds, Yankee Bonds, repurchase agreements, commercial paper and cash equivalents.
Fixed-income securities are subject to the risk of the issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payments on its obligations (i.e., credit risk) and are subject to price volatility resulting from, among other things, interest rate sensitivity (i.e., interest rate risk), market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (i.e., market risk). The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and/or uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board adjusts a quantitative easing program and/or changes rates. A changing interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of volatility, increased redemptions, shortened durations (i.e., prepayment risk) and extended durations (i.e., extension risk).
Fixed income and other debt instruments, including mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that the principal of such obligation is paid earlier than expected, such as in the case of refinancing. This risk is increased during periods of declining interest rates and prepayments may reduce the Fund’s yield or income as a result of reinvesting the income or other proceeds in lower yielding securities or instruments. These investments are also subject to extension risk, which is the risk that the principal of such obligation is paid slower or later than expected. This may negatively affect Fund returns, as the value of the investment decreases when principal payments are made later than expected. This risk is elevated during periods of increasing interest rates. In addition, because principal payments are made later than expected, the investment’s duration may extend (and result in increased interest rate risk) and the Fund may be prevented from investing proceeds it would otherwise have received at the higher prevailing interest rates. Prepayments and extensions may result in a security or debt instrument offering less potential for gains during periods of declining interest rates or rising interest rates, respectively.
Securities with longer durations are likely to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, generally making them more volatile than securities with shorter durations. Lower rated fixed-income securities have greater volatility because there is less certainty that principal and interest payments will be made as scheduled. The Fund may be subject to liquidity risk, which may result from the lack of an active market and the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed-income securities. Fixed-income securities may be called (i.e., redeemed by the issuer) prior to final maturity. If a callable security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds at a lower rate of interest.
Asset-Backed Securities
Asset-backed securities represent an interest in a pool of assets such as automobile loans, credit card receivables or mortgage or home equity loans, or certificates of participation or lease obligations or other municipal debt obligations, that have been securitized in pass-through structures. These types of pass-through securities provide for monthly payments that are a “pass-through” of the monthly interest and principal payments made by the individual borrowers on the pooled receivables. Such securities also may be debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity, such as a trust, organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Credit support for asset-backed securities may be based on the underlying assets and/or provided by a third-party through credit enhancements. Credit enhancement techniques include letters of credit, insurance bonds, limited guarantees (which are generally provided by the issuer), senior-subordinated structures and over-collateralization.
To the extent the Fund invests in asset-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers, such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, and other secondary market issuers, the Fund will be exposed to additional risks because, among other things, there are no direct or indirect government or agency guarantees of payments in the pools underlying the securities. Privately-issued asset-backed securities may be less readily marketable, subject to heightened credit risk and the market for such securities is typically smaller and less liquid than other asset-backed securities.
Asset-backed securities are not issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities; however, the payment of principal and interest on such obligations may be guaranteed up to certain amounts for a certain period by a letter of credit issued by a financial institution (such as a bank or insurance company) unaffiliated with the issuers of such securities. The purchase of asset-backed securities raises risk considerations specific to the financing of the instruments underlying such securities.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks (Con’t)
For example, there is a risk that another party could acquire an interest in the obligations superior to that of the holders of the asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities entail prepayment risk and extension risk, which may vary depending on the type of asset. Securities subject to prepayment risk generally offer less potential for gains when interest rates decline, and may offer a greater potential for loss when interest rates rise. In addition, rising interest rates may cause prepayments to occur at a slower than expected rate, thereby effectively lengthening the maturity of the security and making the security more sensitive to interest rate changes. Other factors, such as changes in credit card 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 and economic factors such as defaults on the underlying loans may result in the collateral backing the securities being insufficient to support payment on the securities. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include sub-prime mortgages. There is also the possibility that recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be available to support payments on those securities.
Market and Geopolitical Risk
The value of your investment in the Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments, which change due to economic and other events that affect the U.S. and global markets generally, as well as those that affect or are perceived or expected to affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies, issuers, sectors, asset classes or governments. Price movements, sometimes called volatility, may be greater or less depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which the securities trade. Volatility and disruption in financial markets and economies may be sudden and unexpected, expose the Fund to greater risk, including risks associated with reduced market liquidity and fair valuation, and adversely affect the Fund’s operations. For example, the Adviser potentially will be prevented from executing investment decisions at an advantageous time or price as a result of any domestic or global market disruptions and reduced market liquidity may impact the Fund’s ability to sell securities to meet redemptions (i.e., increase the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period). In addition, no active trading market may exist for certain investments held by the Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such assets.
The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or market, or with respect to one company, may adversely impact other companies and other issuers, including those in a different country, region, sector, industry or market. For example, adverse developments in the banking or financial services sector could impact companies operating in various sectors or industries and adversely impact the Fund’s investments. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform or otherwise be adversely affected due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates (or changes in interest rates), global demand for particular products or resources, market or financial system instability or uncertainty, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, natural disasters and extreme weather events, health emergencies (such as epidemics and pandemics), terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events, such as terrorist attacks, natural disasters, health emergencies, social and political (including geopolitical) discord and tensions or debt crises and downgrades, among others, may result in increased market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets. Inflation rates may change frequently and significantly because of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the domestic or global economy and changes in monetary or economic policies (or expectations that these policies may change). Changes in inflation rates or expected inflation rates may adversely affect market and economic conditions, an issuer’s financial condition, the Fund’s investments and an investment in the Fund. The market price of debt securities generally falls as inflation increases because the purchasing power of the future income and repaid principal is expected to be worth less when received by the Fund. The risk of inflation is greater for debt instruments with longer maturities and especially those that pay a fixed rather than variable interest rate. Other financial, economic and other global market and social developments or disruptions may result in similar adverse circumstances, and it is difficult to predict when similar events affecting the U.S. or global financial markets or economies may occur, the effects that such events may have and the duration of those effects (which may last for extended periods). In general, the securities or other instruments that the Adviser believes represent an attractive investment opportunity or in which the Fund seeks to invest may be unavailable entirely or in the specific quantities sought by the Fund. As a result, the Fund may need to obtain the desired exposure through a less advantageous investment, forgo the investment at the time or seek to replicate the desired exposure through a derivative transaction or investment in another investment vehicle. Any such event(s) could have a significant adverse impact on the value and risk profile of the Fund’s portfolio. There is a risk that you may lose money by investing in the 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, interest rate changes and supply chain disruptions could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on economies, financial markets, issuers and the Adviser’s investment advisory activities and services of other service providers, which in turn could adversely affect the Fund’s investments and other operations.
Government and other public debt, including municipal obligations, can be adversely affected by changes in local and global economic conditions, including those 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,
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks (Con’t)
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 the 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, particularly when such responses are unprecedented, 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.
Global events may negatively impact broad segments of businesses and populations, cause a significant negative impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments, adversely affect and increase the volatility of the Fund’s share price or adversely affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price (as applicable) and exacerbate pre-existing political, social, financial and economic risks to the Fund. The Fund’s operations may be interrupted as a result, which may contribute to the negative impact on investment performance. In addition, governments, their regulatory agencies, or self-regulatory organizations may take actions (including monetary and/or fiscal actions intended to stimulate or stabilize the global economy) that affect the instruments in which the Fund invests, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that could have a significant negative impact on the Fund’s investment performance. Monetary and/or fiscal actions taken by U.S. or foreign governments may not be effective and could lead to increased market volatility. In addition, government actions (such as changes to interest rates) could have unintended economic and market consequences that adversely affect the Fund’s investments. The frequency and magnitude of resulting changes in the value of the Fund’s investments cannot be predicted.
Repurchase Agreements
Repurchase agreements are fixed-income securities in the form of agreements backed by collateral. These agreements typically involve the acquisition by the Fund of securities from the selling institution (such as a bank or a broker-dealer), coupled with the agreement that the selling institution will repurchase the underlying securities at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future (or on demand, if applicable). The underlying securities which serve as collateral for the repurchase agreements entered into by the Fund may include U.S. government securities, municipal securities, corporate debt obligations, convertible securities and common and preferred stock and may be of below investment grade quality. These securities are marked-to-market daily in order to maintain full collateralization (typically purchase price plus accrued interest). The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the selling institution defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the value of the securities has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of them. The risk of such loss may be greater when utilizing collateral other than U.S. government securities. In the event of an insolvency or bankruptcy by the selling institution, the Fund’s right to control the collateral could be affected and result in certain costs and delays. Additionally, if the proceeds from the liquidation of such collateral after an insolvency were less than the repurchase price, the Fund could suffer a loss. Fund procedures are followed that are designed to minimize such risks.
Investment Companies
The Fund (other than the Treasury Securities Portfolio) may invest in investment companies, including money market funds, and may invest all or some of their short-term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates (an “affiliated money market fund”). An investment in an investment company is subject to the underlying risks of that investment company’s portfolio securities. In addition to the Fund’s fees and expenses, the Fund generally would bear its share of the investment company’s fees and expenses other than advisory and administrative fees of affiliated money market funds.
Large Transactions Risk
The Fund may experience adverse effects when certain large shareholders, or a number of shareholders collectively, purchase or redeem large amounts of shares of the Fund (“large shareholder transactions”). Such larger than normal redemptions may cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at times when it would not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Fund’s NAV and liquidity or affect the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price, increase the Fund’s transaction costs and/or have a material effect on the market price of Fund shares. Similarly, large Fund share purchases may adversely affect the Fund’s performance to the extent that the Fund is delayed in investing new cash and is required to maintain a larger cash position than it ordinarily would. Large shareholder transactions may also accelerate the realization of taxable income to shareholders if such sales of investments resulted in gains and may also increase transaction costs. The effects of taxable income and/or gains resulting from large shareholder transactions would particularly impact non-redeeming shareholders who do not hold their Fund shares in an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged investment plans. To the extent that such transactions result in short-term capital gains, such gains when distributed by the Fund will generally be taxed at the ordinary income tax rate for individual shareholders who hold Fund shares in a taxable account. In addition, a large redemption could result in the Fund’s current expenses being allocated over a smaller asset base, leading to an increase in the Fund’s expense ratio. A number of circumstances may cause the Fund to experience large redemptions, including, but not limited to, the occurrence of significant events affecting investor demand for securities or asset classes in which the Fund invests; changes in the eligibility criteria for the Fund or share class of the Fund; liquidation, reorganization, repositioning, or
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks
Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks (Con’t)
other announced Fund event; or changes in investment objectives, strategies, policies, risks, or investment personnel. Although large shareholder transactions may be more frequent under certain circumstances, the Fund is generally subject to the risk that shareholders can purchase or redeem a significant percentage of Fund shares at any time. Finally, large redemptions may cause the Fund to impose a discretionary liquidity fee.
Active Management Risk
In pursuing the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser has considerable leeway in deciding which investments it buys, holds or sells on a day-to-day basis, and which trading strategies it uses. For example, the Adviser, in its discretion, may determine to use some permitted trading strategies while not using others.
The success or failure of such decisions will affect the Fund’s performance. In addition, 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 and the Adviser may be restricted in its ability to cause the Fund to buy or sell securities of an issuer for substantial periods of time when the Fund otherwise could realize profit or avoid loss. This may adversely affect the Fund’s flexibility with respect to buying or selling securities and may impair the Fund’s liquidity.
Risks Associated with Holding Cash
The Fund is permitted to hold a portion of its assets in cash for a variety of portfolio management purposes. For example, the Fund may hold a cash position under certain circumstances, such as to meet anticipated redemptions, in light of the prevailing interest rate environment, or pending investments. Although the Fund may earn income on the cash position, such positions could cause the Fund to receive a lower rate of return than if the cash were used to make investments, and may subject the Fund to additional risks and costs, such as increased exposure to the custodian bank holding the assets and its creditworthiness. In certain economic conditions, the custodian bank may charge the Fund fees for holding cash.
Temporary Investments
Under adverse or unstable market conditions or abnormal circumstances or when the Adviser believes that changes in market, economic, political or other conditions warrant, the Fund may, in the discretion of the Adviser, take temporary positions that are inconsistent with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to such conditions or circumstances. In such circumstances, the Fund (other than the Treasury Securities Portfolio) may invest without limit in cash or cash equivalents. Also in such circumstances, the Treasury Securities Portfolio may invest without limit in cash and repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York collateralized by U.S. Treasury obligations. If the Adviser incorrectly predicts the effects of these changes, or during periods of temporary defensive or other temporary positions, such defensive investments may adversely affect the Fund’s performance and the Fund may not achieve its investment objective.
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 the Fund, the strategies used by the Fund or the level of regulation or taxation applying to the 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 the Fund or taxation of shareholders.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Fund Management
Adviser
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with principal offices at 1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036, conducts a worldwide portfolio management business and provides a broad range of portfolio management services to customers in the United States and abroad. Morgan Stanley (NYSE: “MS”) is the parent of the Adviser, which is the parent of the Distributor. Morgan Stanley is a preeminent global financial services firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, as well as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services. As of March 31, 2025, the Adviser, together with its affiliated asset management companies, had approximately $1.6 trillion in assets under management or supervision.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement is available in the Fund’s report filed on Form N-CSR for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024.
Advisory Fees
The Adviser makes investment decisions for the Fund. The Fund, in turn, pays the Adviser a monthly advisory fee calculated daily by applying an annual rate to the Fund’s average daily net assets.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, the Adviser received from the Fund the advisory fee (net of fee waivers, if applicable) set forth in the table below.
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Fund (as a percentage of average daily net assets)
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Government Portfolio
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0.10%
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Treasury Portfolio
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0.14%
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
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0.14%
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Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., as the Adviser and the Administrator, has agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class, if necessary, if such fees would cause the total annual operating expenses of the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class to exceed the percentage of daily net assets set forth in the table below. In determining the actual amount of fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement for the Fund, if any, the Adviser and Administrator exclude from total annual operating expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses (as applicable), certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation). The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of this 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 Fund’s annual operating expenses may vary throughout the period and from year to year. The Fund’s actual expenses may be different than the expenses listed in the Fund’s fee and expense table based upon the extent and amount of a fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement.
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Expense Cap Institutional Plus Class
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Government Portfolio
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0.17%
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Treasury Portfolio
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0.22%
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
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0.22%
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The Distributor, Adviser and Administrator may also waive distribution fees, advisory fees, administration fees and/or reimburse expenses to enable the Fund to maintain a minimum level of daily net investment income. 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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
The Trust is designed for institutional investors seeking maximum current income and convenient liquidation privileges. The Fund is particularly suitable for corporations, banks and other financial institutions that seek investment of short-term funds for their own accounts or for the accounts of their customers. Shares of the Government Portfolio are intended to qualify as eligible investments for federally chartered credit unions pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Federal Credit Union Act and the National Credit Union Administration. Shares of the Government Portfolio, however, may not qualify as eligible investments for particular state-chartered credit unions. A state-chartered credit union should consult qualified legal counsel to determine whether the Fund is a permissible investment under the law applicable to it.
Share Class Arrangements
This Prospectus offers Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund. The Trust also offers other classes of shares through separate prospectuses. Certain of these classes may be subject to different fees and expenses. For information regarding other share classes, contact the Trust or your financial intermediary.
Minimum Investment Amount
Institutional Plus Class shares are available to clients of the Adviser with investments at the time of initial purchase of at least $10 million. The Adviser, in its sole discretion, may waive the minimum initial investment amount in certain cases including, but not limited to, shares of the Fund purchased through a financial intermediary or when the Adviser anticipates the combined value of a client’s investments will meet or exceed the minimum.
Distributor
Shares of the Fund are distributed exclusively through Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Distributor has entered into arrangements with certain financial intermediaries (also referred to as service organizations) who may accept purchase and redemption orders for shares of the Fund on its behalf.
The Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay additional compensation (out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Fund) to selected affiliated or unaffiliated brokers or other service providers in connection with the sale, distribution, retention and/or servicing of Fund shares. Such compensation may be significant in amount and the prospect of receiving any such additional compensation may provide affiliated or unaffiliated entities with an incentive to favor sales of shares of the Fund over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the NAV or the price of Fund shares. For more information, please see the Fund’s SAI.
The Trust has adopted an Administration Plan for the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class shares (the “Plan”) to pay the Distributor to compensate certain financial intermediaries (also referred to as service organizations) who provide administrative services to shareholders. Under the Plan, the Fund pays the Distributor a monthly administration fee at an annual rate of 0.02% of the Fund’s average daily net assets of Institutional Plus Class shares owned beneficially by the customers of such service organization during such period. The Distributor may waive such fees to enable the Fund to maintain a minimum level of daily net investment income. The Distributor may discontinue these voluntary fee waivers at any time in the future.
Because the fees are paid out of the Fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Valuation of Shares
The price of the Fund’s shares is based on the amortized cost of the Fund’s securities. The amortized cost valuation method involves valuing a debt obligation in reference to its cost rather than market forces. If the Adviser determines that a valuation is not reflective of the security’s market value, such security is valued at its fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board.
The NAV of the Fund is determined once daily, normally at the times set forth below, on each day that the NYSE is open (the “Pricing Time”), except when the following federal holidays are observed: Columbus Day and Veterans Day.
Shares will generally not be priced on days that the NYSE is closed, although Fund shares may be priced on such days if the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (“SIFMA”) recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day. On any business day when SIFMA recommends that the securities markets close trading early, the Fund may close early. If the Fund does so, it will cease granting same day credit for purchase and redemption orders received after the Fund’s closing time and credit will be given on the next business day. The Fund may, however, elect to remain open and price shares of the Fund on days where the NYSE is closed but the primary securities markets on which the Fund’s securities trade remain open.
The Fund relies on various sources to calculate its NAV. The ability of the Fund’s provider of administrative services used by the Adviser 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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
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.
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Government Portfolio Treasury Portfolio
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As of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
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As of 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
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Pricing of Fund Shares
Institutional Plus Class shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold (redeemed) at the NAV next determined after the Fund receives your order in good order. Except as noted below, orders to purchase shares of the Fund must be received by the Fund prior to the following times to receive the NAV next determined: for the Government Portfolio and Treasury Portfolio—5:00 p.m. Eastern time and for the Treasury Securities Portfolio—3:00 p.m. Eastern time. On any business day that the NYSE closes early, or when SIFMA recommends that the securities markets close early, the Fund may close early and purchase orders received after such earlier closing times will be processed the following 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, the 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 noted above, so long as the Adviser believes there generally remains an adequate market to obtain reliable and accurate market quotations. The Fund may elect to remain open and price its shares on days when the NYSE is closed or closes early but on which SIFMA recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day. Purchase orders received by the Fund and not funded by the close of the Federal Reserve Wire Network, currently 6:45 p.m. Eastern time on the trade date may be subject to an overdraft charge.
Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Trust’s SAI.
How To Purchase Shares
Institutional
Plus Class shares of the Fund may be purchased directly from the Fund or through a financial intermediary.
Purchasing Shares Through a Financial Intermediary
You may open a new account and purchase Fund shares through certain authorized third-parties, such as brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries that have entered into a selling agreement with the Distributor (each, a “Financial Intermediary”). Your Financial Intermediary will assist you with the procedures to invest in shares of the Fund. The Financial Intermediary will establish times by which such purchase orders and payments from customers must be received by the Financial Intermediary. Financial Intermediaries are responsible for transmitting purchase orders and payments to the Trust and the Trust’s Custodian in a timely fashion. Purchase orders placed with a Financial Intermediary and transmitted through a trading platform utilized by the Financial Intermediary may be transmitted by the trading platform after the deadlines established by the Trust for receipt of purchase orders, as set forth above; in such case, the purchase orders will receive a trade date of the next business day.
Investors purchasing Institutional Plus Class shares through a Financial Intermediary may be charged a transaction-based or other fees by the Financial Intermediary for its services. If you are purchasing Institutional Plus Class shares through a Financial Intermediary, please consult your intermediary for more information regarding any such fees and for purchase instructions.
With respect to sales through Financial Intermediaries, no offers or sales of Fund shares may be made in any foreign jurisdiction, except with the consent of the Distributor.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
Purchasing
Shares Directly From the Fund
Purchase
by Telephone
You may purchase
shares of the Fund by calling the Fund at 1-888-378-1630. Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by the Fund between
8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time on any day the NYSE is open for business, except when the following federal holidays are observed:
Columbus Day and Veterans Day.
Purchase
by Internet
If you have properly
authorized the Internet Trading Option on your New Account Application and completed, signed and returned to the Fund an Electronic
Transactions Agreement, you may place a purchase order for additional shares online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity.
For more information, call Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. at 1-888-378-1630.
You
are responsible for transmitting payments for shares purchased via the Internet in a timely fashion, as set forth above.
Automatic
Purchases
Selected accounts that
utilize the Fund as their sweep vehicle will be reviewed on each business day to determine whether the account has a positive balance
as a result of credits incurred that day. If an account has a positive (credit) balance, shares of the Fund will automatically
be purchased. Any positive (credit) balance will be reduced by any debits to the account on that day and shares of the Fund will
automatically be sold.
Additional
Investments
You may make additional
investments of Institutional Plus Class shares at the NAV next determined after the request is received in good order.
General
To help the U.S. Government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means to you is that when you open an account, we will ask your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. If we are unable to verify your identity, we reserve the right to restrict additional transactions and/or liquidate your account at the next calculated NAV after your account is closed (less any applicable sales/account charges and/or tax penalties) or take any other action required by law. In accordance with federal law requirements, the Trust has implemented an anti-money laundering compliance program, which includes the designation of an anti-money laundering compliance officer.
How To Redeem Shares
You
may process a redemption request by contacting your Financial Intermediary. Otherwise, you may redeem shares of the Fund by
internet or, if authorized, by telephone, at no charge other than as described below. The value of shares redeemed
may be more or less than the purchase price, depending on the NAV at the time of redemption. Shares of the Fund will
be redeemed at the NAV next determined after we receive your redemption request in good order. This section is subject to the section
entitled “Discretionary Liquidity Fees.”
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
Orders to sell shares (redemption requests) will be processed on the day on which they are received, provided they are received prior to the following times to receive the NAV next determined:
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Government Portfolio Treasury Portfolio
|
As of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
|
As of 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
|
On any business day that the NYSE closes early, the Fund may close early and redemption requests received after such earlier closing times will be processed the following business day. The Fund may elect to remain open on days when the NYSE is closed or closes early but on which SIFMA recommends that the bond markets remain open for all or part of the day. Generally, payment for Fund 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 Fund 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) for any period (i) during which the NYSE is closed other than customary weekend and holiday closings or (ii) during which trading on the NYSE is restricted; (c) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which (i) disposal of securities owned by the Fund is not reasonably practicable or (ii) it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the NAV of shares of the 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; or (f) for any period during which the Fund as part of a necessary liquidation of the Fund, has properly postponed and/or suspended redemption of shares and payment in accordance with federal securities laws. In addition, when SIFMA 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 (assuming that the Fund in fact closes).
The Fund typically expects to meet redemption requests by using a combination of sales of securities held by the Fund and/or holdings of cash and cash equivalents. On a less regular basis, the Fund also reserves the right to use borrowings to meet redemption requests, and the Fund may use these methods during both normal and stressed market conditions.
If we determine that it is in the best interest of other shareholders not to pay redemption proceeds in cash, we may pay you in part by distributing to you readily marketable securities held by the Fund from which you are redeeming. Such in-kind securities may be illiquid and difficult or impossible for a shareholder to sell at a time and at a price that a shareholder would like. Redemptions paid in such securities generally will give rise to income, gain or loss for income tax purposes in the same manner as redemptions paid in cash. In addition, you may incur brokerage costs and a further gain or loss for income tax purposes when you ultimately sell the securities.
Redemptions
by Telephone
You automatically
have telephone redemption and exchange privileges unless you indicate otherwise by checking the applicable box on the New Account
Application or calling the Fund to opt-out of such privileges. You may request a redemption of shares of the Fund by calling the
Fund at 1-888-378-1630 and requesting that the redemption proceeds be mailed or wired to you. Telephone redemptions and exchanges
may not be available if you cannot reach the Fund by telephone, whether because all telephone lines are busy or for any other reason;
in such case, a shareholder would have to use the Fund’s other redemption and exchange procedures described in this section.
Telephone instructions will be accepted if received by the Fund between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern time on any day the NYSE
is open for business, except when the following federal holidays are observed: Columbus Day and Veterans Day. Orders to redeem
or exchange shares of the Fund must be received by the Fund prior to the Fund’s final Pricing Time of that day. Orders received
after such Pricing Time will be processed the following business day. To opt-out of telephone privileges, please contact the Fund
at 1-888-378-1630.
Redemptions
by Internet
You may redeem shares
online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity, provided you have a pre-established Internet trading
account, as set forth above under “How To Purchase Shares.” For more information, call the Fund at 1-888-378-1630.
Automatic Redemptions
Selected accounts that utilize the Fund as their sweep vehicle will be reviewed on each business day to determine whether the account has any debits that were incurred that day and shares of the Fund will automatically be redeemed to cover the debits if such debits have not been reduced by any credits which may have accrued to the account on the same day.
Exchange Privilege
You may exchange the Fund’s Institutional Plus Class shares for Institutional Plus Class shares of other available Funds of the Trust, if any, based on their respective NAVs. We charge no fee for exchanges. If you purchased Fund shares through a Financial Intermediary, certain other Funds of the Trust may be unavailable for exchange. Contact your Financial Intermediary to determine which Funds are available for exchange.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
You
can process your exchange by contacting your Financial Intermediary or online through CashInvest by Morgan Stanley at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity
provided you have a pre-established Internet trading account, as set forth above under “How To Purchase Shares” or
by calling the Fund at 1-888-378-1630.
You will be subject to the same minimum initial investment and account size as an initial purchase. The Fund, in its sole discretion, may waive the minimum initial investment amounts in certain cases including, but not limited to, exchanges involving Fund shares purchased through a Financial Intermediary or when the Adviser anticipates the combined value of a client’s investments will meet or exceed the minimum. The Fund may terminate or revise the exchange privilege upon required notice or in certain cases without notice. The Fund reserves the right to reject an exchange order for any reason.
Telephone/Internet
Transactions
For
your protection, we will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated over the telephone/Internet are
genuine. These procedures may include requiring various forms of personal identification (such as name, mailing address, social
security number or other tax identification number and password/authorization codes, including PIN (Personal Identification Number)),
tape-recording telephone communications and providing written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone/Internet.
If reasonable procedures are employed, none of Morgan Stanley, SS&C GIDS or the Fund will be liable for following telephone/Internet
instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. During periods of drastic economic or market changes, it is possible that
the telephone/Internet privileges may be difficult to implement, although this has not been the case with the Fund in the past.
Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Fund Shares
We expect the Fund to be used by shareholders for short-term investing and by certain selected accounts utilizing the Fund as a sweep vehicle. Therefore, reasonably frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders do not present risks for other shareholders of the Fund, and the policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees/Directors as applicable to other funds in the Morgan Stanley family of funds are generally not applicable with respect to frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares. However, frequent trading by shareholders can disrupt management of the Fund and raise its expenses. Therefore, we may not accept any request for a purchase or exchange when we think it is being used as a tool for market-timing, and we may bar a shareholder who trades excessively from making further purchases for an indefinite period.
Distributions
The Fund passes substantially all of its earnings along to its investors as “distributions.” The Fund earns interest from fixed-income investments. These amounts are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” The Fund realizes capital gains whenever it sells securities for a higher price than it paid for them. These amounts may be passed along as “capital gain distributions.” The Adviser does not anticipate that there will be significant capital gain distributions.
The Fund declares income dividends daily on each business day and pays them monthly to shareholders. Dividends are based on estimates of income, expenses and shareholder activity for the Fund. Actual income, expenses and shareholder activity may differ from estimates and differences, if any, will be included in the calculation of subsequent dividends. Short-term capital gains, if any, are distributed periodically. Long-term capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually. The Fund automatically reinvests all dividends and distributions in additional shares. However, you may elect to receive distributions in cash by giving written notice to your Financial Intermediary or by checking the appropriate box in the Distribution Option section on the Account Registration Form.
If your purchase order is received in good order by the Fund prior to the below times, then you will be a shareholder of record as of that business day (i.e., on the day the trade settles). You will no longer be a shareholder of record on the business day on which your redemption order is received in good order by the Fund prior to the below times (i.e., on the day the trade settles).
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Government Portfolio Treasury Portfolio
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As of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
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Treasury Securities Portfolio
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As of 3:00 p.m. Eastern time
|
With respect to purchase (or redemption) orders placed with a Financial Intermediary and transmitted through a trading platform utilized by the Financial Intermediary, you may become a shareholder of record as of (or remain a shareholder of record through) the next business day after your order is placed.
The Fund pays dividends to shareholders of record. Accordingly, if your purchase order is received in good order by the Fund prior to the above times, then you begin to earn dividends on that day, and if your redemption order is received in good order by the Fund prior to the above times, you will not earn a dividend on 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.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
Discretionary Liquidity Fees
The Government Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolio and the Treasury Securities Portfolio are exempt from requirements that permit money market funds to impose a “discretionary liquidity fee.” However, the Board of Trustees has reserved its right to subject the Government Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolio and the Treasury Securities Portfolio to a potential “discretionary liquidity fee” in the future after providing appropriate notice to shareholders.
Inactive Accounts and Risk of Escheatment
In accordance with state “unclaimed property” laws, your Fund shares may legally be considered abandoned and required to be transferred to the relevant state (also known as “escheatment”) under various circumstances. These circumstances, which vary by state, can include inactivity (e.g., no owner-initiated contact for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is returned by the post office as undeliverable), uncashed checks or a combination of these. An incorrect address may cause a shareholder’s account statements and other mailings to be returned to the Fund or your Financial Intermediary. Since states’ statutory requirements regarding inactivity differ, it is important to regularly contact your Financial Intermediary or the Fund’s transfer agent. The process described above, and the application of state escheatment laws, may vary by state and/or depending on how shareholders hold their shares in the Fund. Escheatment with respect to a retirement account is subject to a 10% federal withholding on the account.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you maintain a valid mailing address for your account, keep your account active by contacting your Financial Intermediary or the Fund’s transfer agent (e.g., by mail or telephone), and promptly cash all checks for dividends, capital gains and redemptions. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser will be liable to shareholders or their representatives for good faith compliance with escheatment laws.
For more information, please contact us at 1-888-378-1630.
Taxes
The tax information provided in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
It is the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all or substantially all of its taxable and tax-exempt income. Unless your investment in the Fund is through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when the Fund makes distributions. The Fund considers repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to be U.S. Government Securities for purposes of Rule 2a-7; however, such repurchase agreements are generally not expected to be considered as obligations of the United States for purposes of the state income tax exemption applicable to interest paid on obligations of the United States. Accordingly, income distributed by the Fund that is derived from repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is expected to be subject to state income tax.
Except as noted below, dividends you receive will generally be taxable, whether you receive them in cash or in additional shares. Income dividend distributions and any short-term capital gain distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gain distributions are taxable as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares in the Fund. Distributions paid by the Fund are not expected to be eligible for lower tax rates applicable to qualified dividends or for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the 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.
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 the 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 the 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 reported 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, the Fund may report all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible dividends as exempt.
The 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 reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
U.S. investors will be sent a statement (Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 1099-DIV) by February of each year showing the taxable distributions paid to you in the previous year. The statement provides information on your dividends and any capital gains for tax purposes.
Sales, exchanges and redemptions of shares in the Fund are generally taxable events and may result in taxable gain or loss to you. Because each of Government Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio and Treasury Securities Portfolio 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.
With respect to any gain or loss recognized on the sale or exchange of shares of the 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 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 the 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.
When you open your account, you should provide appropriate tax documentation including your social security or tax identification number on your investment application. By providing this information, you generally will avoid being subject to federal backup withholding on taxable distributions and redemption proceeds at the applicable rate. Any withheld amount would be sent to the IRS as an advance payment of taxes due on your income for such year.
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 the Fund. These activities could cause Morgan Stanley to have an interest that is different from, and potentially adverse to, that of the Fund, which may impede the Fund from participating in certain opportunities. Morgan Stanley advises clients and sponsors, manages or advises other investment funds and investment programs, accounts and businesses (collectively, together with any new or successor funds, programs, accounts or businesses sponsored, managed, or advised by the Adviser or one of its investment adviser affiliates, the “Affiliated Investment Accounts”) with a wide variety of investment objectives that in some instances may overlap or conflict with the Fund’s investment objectives and present conflicts of interest. In addition, Morgan Stanley, the Adviser and/or the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates may also from time to time create new or successor Affiliated Investment Accounts that may compete with the 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.
The conflicts summarized herein do not purport to be a complete list or explanation of the conflicts associated with the financial or other interests the Adviser or its affiliates may have now or in the future. For more information about conflicts of interest, see the section entitled “Potential Conflicts of Interest” in the SAI. Conflicts of interest not described below or in the SAI may also exist. References to the Adviser in this section include the Fund’s affiliated sub-adviser (if any) unless otherwise noted.
Material Nonpublic and Other Information. It is expected that confidential or material nonpublic 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 disposition opportunity, including for an extended period of time. This inability to buy or sell an investment could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s portfolio due to, among other things, changes in an investment’s value during the period its trading is restricted. Morgan Stanley has established certain information barriers and other policies
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
designed to address the sharing of information between different businesses within Morgan Stanley. As a result of information barriers, the Adviser, in certain instances, will not have access, or will have limited access, to certain information and personnel in other areas of Morgan Stanley and, in such instances, will not manage the Fund with the benefit of the information held by such other areas. In other instances, Morgan Stanley personnel, including personnel of the Adviser, will have access to information and personnel of its affiliates. In managing conflicts of interest that arise because of the foregoing, the Adviser generally will be subject to fiduciary requirements. The Adviser also may implement internal information barriers or ethical walls or other internal information sharing protocols, 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. Information sharing may limit or restrict the ability of the Adviser to engage in or otherwise effect transactions on behalf of the Fund (including purchasing or selling securities that the Adviser may otherwise have purchased or sold for the Fund in the absence of the sharing of information). The Adviser may face conflicts of interest in determining whether to engage in the sharing of information with its affiliates.
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 the Fund or its shareholders. An investment team may have obligations to Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by both the Adviser and one or more of the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates. The 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 the Fund and other investment funds, programs, accounts and businesses advised by or affiliated with the Adviser or its investment adviser affiliates. 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. 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.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries. The Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates 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. 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 the 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 the Fund.
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 the Fund and with respect to investments that the 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 the Fund. Morgan Stanley may give advice and provide recommendations to persons competing with the Fund and/or any of the Fund’s investments that are contrary to the Fund’s best interests and/or the best interests of any of its investments. Morgan Stanley’s activities on behalf of its clients (such as engagements as an underwriter or placement agent) may restrict or otherwise limit investment opportunities that may otherwise be available to the Fund.
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
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Shareholder Information
Shareholder Information (Con’t)
activities is usually based upon realized consideration and is usually contingent, in substantial part, upon the closing of the transaction. Under these circumstances, the 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 a merger or an acquisition.
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the financial performance of the Funds. Because Institutional Plus Class shares have not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus, financial highlights for Institutional Select Class shares are shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the tables represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions).
The
ratios of expenses to average net assets listed in the tables below for the Fund are based on the average net assets of the Fund
for each of the periods listed in the tables. To the extent that the Fund’s average net assets decrease over the Fund’s
next fiscal year, such expense ratios can be expected to increase, potentially significantly, because certain fixed costs will
be spread over a smaller amount of assets.
The
information below (other than for the period ended April 30, 2025) has been derived from the financial statements audited by Ernst
& Young LLP, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. Ernst & Young LLP’s report,
along with the Fund’s financial statements, are incorporated by reference into the Fund’s SAI. The information for
the six-month period ended April 30, 2025 is derived from unaudited financial statements. The unaudited interim financial
statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the
interim period presented. In addition, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The Fund’s financial
statements and additional information included in the Fund’s report filed on Form N-CSR and SAI are available
at no cost from the Trust at the toll free number noted on the back cover to this Prospectus.
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Year
Ended October 31,
|
|
Net
Asset Value, Beginning of
Period
|
|
Net Investment Income
|
|
Net
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
on Investments
|
|
Distributions From
Net Investment Income
|
Government
Portfolio:
|
Six
Months Ended 04/30/25 (unaudited)
|
$
|
1.000
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
2024
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2021
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six
Months Ended 04/30/25 (unaudited)
|
$
|
1.000
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
2024
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
|
2022
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
|
2021
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.002
|
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six
Months Ended 04/30/25 (unaudited)
|
$
|
1.000
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
2024
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.001
|
|
|
2021
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
0.002
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
to Financial Highlights
|
(1)
|
Per
share amount is based on average shares outstanding.
|
(2)
|
Amount
is less than $0.0005 per share.
|
(3)
|
Not
annualized.
|
(4)
|
Annualized.
|
(5)
|
Reflects
prior period transfer agency fees that were reimbursed in 2024. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial to the
total return.
|
(6)
|
Ratio
of Expenses to Average Net Assets before and after Maximum Expense Ratios may vary among share classes by more or less
than the administration plan, service and shareholder administration plan, distribution plan and/or shareholder services
plan (the “plans”) fees due to either (1) fluctuations in daily net asset amounts, (2) changes in the plans’
fees during the period for each share class, (3) changes in the Funds’ expense cap during the year, (4) waivers
to the plans’ fees for each share class, or (5) a combination of the previous points.
|
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Prospectus | Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Asset Value, End of Period
|
|
Total Return
|
|
Net
Assets, End of Period (000)
|
|
Ratio
of Expenses to
Average Net Assets
|
|
Ratio
of Expenses to Average
Net Assets Excluding Interest Expenses
|
|
Ratio
of Expenses to
Average Net Assets (Before Waivers/ Reimbursement)
|
|
Ratio
of Net Investment Income to
Average Net Assets
|
|
Ratio
of Net Investment Income
(Loss) to Average Net
Assets (Before Waivers/ Reimbursement)
|
$
|
1.000
|
|
|
$
|
5,970,227
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
5,857,261
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
5,615,525
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
19,822,512
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
22,579,049
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
10,462,967
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.000
|
|
|
$
|
3,402,791
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
3,209,904
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
3,114,544
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
8,610,123
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
14,878,731
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
10,007,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.000
|
|
|
$
|
22,232
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
5,744
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
9,222
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
25,769
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
1,052,857
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.000
|
|
|
|
4,118,125
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Where to Find Additional Information
In
addition to this Prospectus, the Fund has an SAI dated August 25, 2025 (as may be supplemented from time to time), which
contains additional, more detailed information about the Trust and the Fund. The SAI is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus
and, therefore, legally forms a part of this Prospectus.
The Trust publishes Annual and Semi-Annual Reports (“Shareholder Reports”) and files a report on Form N-CSR that contains additional information about the Fund’s investments. In the Fund’s Annual Report to Shareholders, you will find a brief summary of the key factors that materially affected the Fund’s performance during the reporting period. In the Fund’s report on Form N-CSR, you will find the Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial statements. For additional Trust information, including information regarding the investments comprising the Fund and Fund financial statements, please call the toll-free number below.
You may obtain the SAI or Annual or Semi-Annual Report, Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information included in the Fund’s report filed on Form N-CSR without charge by contacting the Trust at the toll-free number below or on our Internet site at: www.morganstanley.com/liquidity. If you purchased shares through a Financial Intermediary, you may also obtain these documents, without charge, by contacting your Financial Intermediary.
Shareholder Reports and other information about the Fund, including the Fund’s financial statements, are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: [email protected].
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds
c/o SS&C Global Investor and Distribution Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 219804
Kansas City, MO 64121-9804
For Shareholder Inquiries,
call the Trust toll-free at 1-888-378-1630.
Prices and Investment Results are available at www.morganstanley.com/liquidity.
The Trust’s 1940 Act registration number is 811-21339.
MORGAN
STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL LIQUIDITY FUNDS
Statement
of Additional Information
August
25, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
Class and Ticker Symbol |
|
Fund
Name |
Insti- tutional Class
|
Insti- tutional Plus
Class |
Insti- tutional Select
Class |
Investor Class
|
Admin- istrative Class
|
Advisory Class
|
Par- ticipant Class
|
Cash Management Class
|
Select Class
|
CastleOak Class
|
Impact Class
|
Impact Partner Class
|
Advisor Class
|
|
Government Portfolio
|
MVRXX
|
MPXXX
|
MGSXX
|
MVVXX
|
MGOXX
|
MAYXX
|
MPCXX
|
MSGXX
|
MSDXX
|
COSXX
|
IMPXX
|
IPGXX
|
MALXX
|
|
Treasury Portfolio
|
MISXX
|
MRXXX
|
MTSXX
|
MTNXX
|
MTTXX
|
MAOXX
|
MTCXX
|
MREXX
|
MSTXX
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
MATXX
|
|
Treasury Securities
Portfolio
|
MSUXX
|
MSXXX
|
MSSXX
|
MNVXX
|
MAMXX
|
MVYXX
|
MPRXX
|
MHSXX
|
MSEXX
|
—
|
IMXXX
|
IPUXX
|
MAZXX
|
Morgan
Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (the “Trust”) is a mutual fund currently consisting of the following seven portfolios:
the Government Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolio, the Treasury Securities Portfolio (each a “Fund” and collectively the
“Funds”), the Prime Portfolio, the Government Securities Portfolio, the Tax-Exempt Portfolio and the Money Market Portfolio.
Each Fund offers the following classes of shares: Institutional Class, Institutional Plus Class, Institutional Select Class, Investor
Class, Administrative Class, Advisory Class, Participant Class, Cash Management Class, Select Class and Advisor Class. The Government
Portfolio also offers CastleOak Class shares. The Government Portfolio and Treasury Securities Portfolio also offer Impact
Class and Impact Partner 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, Advisory Class, Cash Management Class, Investor Class, Impact Partner Class, Participant Class, Select
Class, Wealth Class, Wealth S Class and Advisor Class of the Money Market Portfolio and the Administrative Class, Advisory Class, Cash
Management Class, CastleOak Class, Impact Class, Impact Partner Class, Institutional Class, Institutional Select Class, Investor Class
and Participant Class of the Prime Portfolio and the Administrative Class, Advisory Class, Cash Management Class, Institutional Class,
Institutional Select Class, Investor Class and Participant Class of the Government Securities Portfolio and the Administrative Class,
Advisory Class, Cash Management Class, Investor Class, Participant Class, Select Class, Wealth Class, Wealth S Class and Advisor Class
of the Tax-Exempt Portfolio are set forth in separate SAIs dated February 28, 2025. 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, Impact Class, Impact Partner Class and Advisor Class dated February 28, 2025 and Institutional Plus Class dated August
25, 2025, as may be supplemented from time to time. To obtain any of these Prospectuses without charge, please call
Morgan Stanley Shareholder Services at the number indicated below.
The Funds’ report filed on Form N-CSR includes the Funds’ audited financial statements, including notes thereto, and the report of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, which are incorporated by reference into this SAI. In addition, the unaudited financial statements of the Funds, including notes thereto, for the six-month period ended April 30, 2025, as included in the Funds’ report on Form N-CSR, are incorporated by reference into this SAI. The
unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments
which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented. In
addition, all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The annual and semi-annual financial statements and additional information
included in the Funds’ report filed on Form N-CSR are separate documents supplied with this SAI.
MORGAN
STANLEY SHAREHOLDER SERVICES: 1-888-378-1630
PRICES
AND INVESTMENT RESULTS: WWW.MORGANSTANLEY.COM/LIQUIDITY
FUND
INVESTMENTS AND 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 Fund 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
Portfolio |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
|
Equity
Securities: |
|
|
|
|
Common
Stocks |
|
|
|
|
Preferred
Stocks |
|
|
|
|
Rights
|
|
|
|
|
Warrants
|
|
|
|
|
IPOs
|
|
|
|
|
Convertible
Securities |
|
|
|
|
Investment
Company Securities |
X
|
X
|
|
|
Exchange-Traded
Funds |
|
|
|
|
Real
Estate Investing |
|
|
|
|
—REITs
|
|
|
|
|
—Foreign
Real Estate Companies |
|
|
|
|
—Specialized
Ownership Vehicles |
|
|
|
|
Special
Purpose Acquisition Companies
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed-Income
Securities: |
|
|
|
|
Investment
Grade Securities |
|
|
|
|
High
Yield Securities |
|
|
|
|
Distressed
and Defaulted Securities |
|
|
|
|
U.S.
Government Securities |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Agencies
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Corporates
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Floating
and Variable Rate Obligations |
|
|
|
|
Adjustable
Rate Government Securities |
X
|
|
|
|
Promissory
Notes |
|
|
|
|
Money
Market Instruments |
|
|
|
|
Cash
Equivalents |
|
|
|
|
Senior
Loans |
|
|
|
|
Mortgage-Related
Securities |
|
|
|
|
Lease
Obligations |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Repurchase
Agreements |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Municipals
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Tender
Option Bonds |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Asset-Backed
Securities |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Collateralized
Loan Obligations |
|
|
|
|
Temporary
Investments |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Variable
Rate Master Demand Notes |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Residual
Interest Bonds |
|
|
|
|
Zero
Coupons |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Eurodollar
and Yankee Dollar Obligations
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Custodial
Receipts |
X
|
|
|
|
Funding
Agreements |
|
|
|
|
Foreign
Investment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Government
Portfolio |
Treasury
Portfolio |
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
|
Emerging
Market Securities |
|
|
|
|
Foreign
Equity Securities |
|
|
|
|
Foreign
Government Fixed-Income Securities
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
Currency Transactions |
|
|
|
|
Brady
Bonds |
|
|
|
|
Investment
Funds |
|
|
|
|
Other
Securities and Investment Strategies:
|
|
|
|
|
Loans
of Portfolio Securities |
|
|
|
|
Private
Placements |
X
|
X
|
|
|
When-Issued
Securities |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Borrowing
for Investment Purposes |
|
|
|
|
Reverse
Repurchase Agreements |
X
|
X
|
|
|
Short
Sales |
|
|
|
|
Illiquid
Investments |
|
|
|
|
Demand
Features |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Bank
Obligations |
|
|
|
|
Leveraging
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Derivatives:
|
|
|
|
|
Currency
Forwards |
|
|
|
|
Futures
Contracts |
|
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
|
|
Swaps
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts
for Difference |
|
|
|
|
Structured
Investments |
|
|
|
|
Combined
Transactions |
|
|
|
|
Additional
Risks: |
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
Regulatory
Matters |
|
|
|
|
Special
Risks Related to Cyber Security |
|
|
|
|
Regulatory
and Legal Risk |
|
|
|
|
Market
and Geopolitical Risk |
|
|
|
|
ESG
Investment Risk |
|
|
|
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 the Government National Mortgage Association
(“Ginnie Mae”) and the Federal Housing Administration. Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and agencies and instrumentalities
of the U.S. government generally provide a lower current return than obligations of other issuers. 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 the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (“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. U.S. government securities are subject to interest rate risks and can exhibit price fluctuations
resulting from increases or decreases in interest rates. The U.S. government securities in which the Fund may invest may pay
fixed, floating, variable, or adjustable interest rates. For more information about interest rate risks associated with the Fund’s
investments in U.S government securities,
see “Credit and Interest Rate Risk”.
Asset-Backed
Securities. Certain Funds may invest
in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities utilize the securitization techniques
used to develop mortgage-backed securities
(“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.
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 Securities and Exchange Commission
(“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 their proportionate share of the
expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly the expenses of the purchased investment company.
Money
Market Funds. 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, a 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 a “government money market fund” and “retail money market fund”
(as those terms are defined in Rule 2a-7
under the 1940 Act) to use the amortized cost method or penny rounding method of valuation
to maintain a stable net asset value (“NAV”) per share, typically a stable $1.00 NAV per share and (2) require “institutional
money market funds” to operate
with a floating 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 a fund with a different share price (e.g., $10.000 per share, or
$100.00 per share). The Funds may invest in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable $1.00 NAV per share or that have a
share price that fluctuates. Although a stable share price money market fund seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 NAV per share, it is possible
to lose money by investing in such a money market fund. With respect to a floating share price money market fund, because the
share price will fluctuate, when a Fund sells its shares in such a fund, the shares may be worth more or less than what the Fund originally
paid for them. A money market fund that is not a “government money market fund” may impose a discretionary liquidity
fee
(up to 2%), if the board of trustees (or its designee) determines it is in the best interests of the fund. A government money market
fund is exempt from these discretionary
liquidity fees, although the fund may choose to opt-in to the implementation of discretionary liquidity
fees. In addition, under Rule 2a-7, an institutional prime money market fund is required to impose a mandatory liquidity fee
if the fund experiences total daily net redemptions exceeding 5% of the fund’s net assets (or such smaller amount of net redemptions
as the Board of Trustees determines) based on flow information available within a reasonable period after the computation
of the fund’s net asset value on that day. The amount of a mandatory liquidity fee to be imposed will be based on a good
faith estimate, supported by data, of the costs the fund would incur if the fund sold a pro rata amount of each security in its portfolio
to satisfy the amount of the net redemptions. If the fund’s liquidity costs cannot be estimated in good faith and supported by
data, a 1% default mandatory liquidity fee will be imposed. If the amount of the mandatory liquidity fee would be de
minimis (i.e.,
less than 0.01% of the value of the shares redeemed), the fund is not required to impose a mandatory liquidity fee. A money market
fund that does not qualify as a “government money market fund” or “retail money market fund” must impose a
mandatory liquidity fee, if the fund experiences
total daily net redemptions that exceed 5% of net assets based on flow information available within
a reasonable period after the last computation of the fund’s NAV on that day (or such smaller amount of net redemptions as the
board or its delegate determines), unless the fee is de minimis (i.e., is less than 0.01% of the value of the shares redeemed). The
recent amendments to the rules governing
money market funds may affect the investment strategies, performance and operating expenses
of money market funds.
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.
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.”
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.
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 not directly related 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 State
Street Bank and Trust Company (the
“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, as described above, the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will be at least
equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the repurchase agreement. In the event of a default or bankruptcy
by a selling financial institution, the 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, a
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.
In
December 2023, the SEC adopted rule amendments providing that any covered clearing agency (“CCA”) for U.S. Treasury securities
require that every direct participant of the CCA (which generally would be a bank or broker-dealer) submit for clearance and
settlement all eligible secondary market transactions in U.S. Treasury securities to which it is a counterparty. The clearing mandate
includes in its scope all repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements of such direct participants collateralized by U.S. Treasury
securities (collectively, “Treasury repo transactions”) of a type accepted for clearing by a registered CCA, including both
bilateral Treasury repo transactions and
triparty Treasury repo transactions where a bank agent provides custody, collateral management
and settlement services.
The
Treasury repo transactions of a Fund with any direct participants of a CCA will be subject to the mandatory clearing requirement.
Compliance with the clearing mandate for Treasury repo transactions will be required by June 30, 2026. A Fund will be required
to clear all or substantially all of its Treasury repo transactions as of the compliance date. There are currently substantial regulatory
and operational uncertainties associated with the implementation of these requirements which may affect the cost, terms and/or
availability of cleared repo transactions.
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. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and promises to repurchase
that security at an agreed-upon future date and price. The price paid to repurchase the security reflects interest accrued during
the term of the agreement. Reverse repurchase agreements may be entered into for, among other things, obtaining leverage, facilitating
short-term liquidity or when the Adviser expects that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the transaction
proceeds will be greater than the related interest expense. Please see “Repurchase Agreements.” 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 may be viewed as a speculative form
of borrowing called leveraging. 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 the Fund is required to repurchase them and (iv) the securities will not be returned
to the Fund.
In
addition, the use of leverage may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its
obligations. 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. 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 the Fund’s
total assets, except as permitted by law or SEC regulations.
Demand
Features. A Fund may acquire securities
or other obligations that are subject to puts and standby commitments (“Demand Features”)
to purchase the securities at their principal amount (usually with accrued interest) within a specified period (usually seven days)
following a demand by the Fund. These rights may be available at only specified intervals and may be referred to as a put, demand
feature or “standby commitment,” depending on its characteristics. Securities and other obligations with Demand Features
carry a feature that gives a Fund the
right to tender the securities or other obligations to a specified party, usually the issuer or a remarketing
agent, prior to maturity. A Fund may also purchase long-term bonds (sometimes referred to as “put bonds”), which are subject
to the Fund’s commitment to put the bond back to the issuer at par at a designated time within thirteen months and the issuer’s
commitment to so purchase the bond at such price and time. The purpose of engaging in transactions involving Demand Features
is to maintain flexibility and improve liquidity.
Under
a “standby commitment,” a dealer agrees to purchase, at the Fund’s option, specified securities at a specified price.
The Fund will acquire these commitments
to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Standby commitments may also be referred to as put options.
Demand
Features may be issued by the issuer of the underlying securities, a dealer in the securities or by another third party and may not
be transferred separately from the underlying security. The underlying securities subject to a put may be sold at any time at market
rates. The Fund may pay a premium for puts and other Demand Features and, as a result, the aggregate price which the Fund pays
for securities with these features may be higher than the price which otherwise would be paid for the securities. A premium paid will
have the effect of reducing the yield otherwise payable on the underlying security.
Generally,
a Fund may exercise Demand Features (1) upon a default under the terms of the underlying security, (2) to maintain its portfolio
in accordance with its investment objective and policies or applicable legal or regulatory requirements or (3) as needed to provide
liquidity to the Fund. There is no assurance that standby commitments or other Demand Features will be available to the Fund
or that standby commitments or other Demand Features will be available under all market conditions or available on satisfactory
terms. Demand Features are subject to the credit risk of the entity providing the Demand Feature.
In
addition, Demand Features may be backed by a bank letter of credit or guarantee, or the credit enhancement issued with respect to
such instrument, which may permit a Fund to sell the instrument at designated times and prices. The credit standing of the bank or
financial institution providing this feature affects the credit quality of the underlying obligation. The ability of a bank or other financial
institution to fulfill its obligations under a letter of credit, guarantee or other liquidity arrangement might be affected by possible
financial difficulties of its borrowers, adverse interest rate or economic conditions, regulatory limitations or other factors. Changes
in the credit quality of these financial institutions could cause losses to the Fund and affect its share price. In addition, Demand
Features provided by foreign banks involve certain risks associated with foreign investments. Credit and liquidity enhancements
may have conditions that limit the ability of the Fund to use them when the Fund wishes to do so.
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, including readily available market quotations, 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 privately-placed 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 and transaction costs may be higher for these securities generally. In such cases, a considerable time period may
elapse between the time the Fund decides to sell the security and the time it is permitted to sell the security under an effective registration
statement. During this time period, adverse market conditions may develop, which could result in a Fund obtaining less favorable
pricing terms for its sale of the security than it would have if the security had been sold promptly.
Private
placements may involve greater risks than investments in securities of publicly traded companies. In addition, issuers of such securities
may have limited financial resources, be unable to meet their obligations and tend to be in earlier stages of development.
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.”
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 regular 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 regular 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 a Fund will meet the quality criteria set out in the 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 regular 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.
Temporary
Investments
Under
adverse or unstable market conditions or abnormal circumstances or when the Adviser believes that changes in market, economic,
political or other conditions warrant, the Fund may, in the discretion of the Adviser, take temporary positions that are inconsistent
with the Fund’s principal investment strategies in attempting to respond to such conditions or circumstances. In such circumstances,
the Fund (other than the Treasury Securities Portfolio) may invest without limit in cash or cash equivalents. Also in such
circumstances, the Treasury Securities Portfolio may invest without limit in cash and repurchase agreements with the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York collateralized by U.S. Treasury obligations. If the Adviser incorrectly predicts the effects of these changes, or
during periods of temporary defensive or other temporary positions, such defensive investments may adversely affect the Fund’s
performance and the Fund may not achieve
its investment objective.
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. 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. The Eurodollar obligations may include bonds issued and denominated in euros.
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.
Additional
Risks.
In
addition to the investment strategies and risks described in the prospectus and above, each Fund is subject to the following risks:
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.
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. For example, the SEC adopted
amendments to rules related to fund names and related strategies, which could result in costs to some Funds in amending their
names and/or strategies accordingly. In addition, a rapidly expanding or otherwise more aggressive regulatory environment may impose
greater costs on all sectors and on financial services companies in particular.
Market
and Geopolitical Risk. The value of
your investment in a Fund is based on the values of the Fund’s investments. These values change
daily due to economic and other events that affect or are perceived or expected to affect the U.S. and global markets generally, as
well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, companies, issuers, sectors, asset classes or governments. Price
movements, sometimes called volatility,
may be greater or less depending on the types of securities the Fund owns and the markets in which
the securities trade. The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and markets increases the likelihood that events
or conditions in one region, sector, industry, market or with respect to one company may adversely impact issuers in a different
country, region, sector, industry, or market. For example, adverse developments in the banking or financial services sector could
impact companies operating in various sectors or industries (and in turn adversely impact the Fund’s investments) and otherwise
adversely affect a Fund and its operations. Securities in a Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations
for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates (or changes in interest rates), global demand for particular
products or resources, market or financial system instability or uncertainty, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers,
natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence
of global events, such as terrorist attacks around the world, natural disasters, social and political discord or debt crises and downgrades,
among others, may result in increased 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 or economies 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 the Fund’s portfolio, as
well as its ability to sell securities
to meet redemptions. In addition, no active trading market may exist for certain investments held by
a Fund, which may impair the ability of the Fund to sell or to realize the current valuation of such investments in the event of the need
to liquidate such assets. 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, 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, 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, social unrest, recessions, inflation, interest rate changes and supply chain disruption, 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
of the Fund.
Additionally,
health crises and geopolitical developments have in the past, and may in the future, adversely impact a number of industries,
including but not limited to retail, transportation, hospitality and entertainment. In addition to these or other developments
having adverse consequences for certain companies and other issuers in which a Fund invests and the value of the Fund’s
investments therein, the operations of the Adviser (including those relating to a 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.
Low
or high interest rates may magnify the risks associated with rising interest rates. 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). 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. In addition, government actions (such as changes
to interest rates) could have unintended economic and market consequences that adversely affect the Fund’s investments.
Investments
in certain debt securities will be especially subject to the risk that, during certain periods, the liquidity of particular issuers
or industries, or all securities within a particular investment category, may shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as
a result of adverse economic, market or political events, or adverse investor perceptions, whether or not accurate. Government and other
public debt 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
the 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, particularly when such responses are unprecedented, 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.
ESG
Investment Risk. To the extent that
the Adviser considers environmental, social and/or governance (“ESG”) issues, the Fund’s performance
may be impacted. Additionally, the Adviser’s consideration of ESG issues may require subjective analysis based on qualitative
assessments and the ability of the Adviser to consider ESG issues may be impacted by data availability for a particular company
or issuer (or obligor), including if the data is inaccurate, incomplete, unavailable or based on estimates. The Adviser’s consideration
of ESG issues may contribute to the Adviser’s decision to forgo opportunities to buy certain securities. ESG issues with respect
to an issuer (or obligor) or the Adviser’s assessment of such may change over time. The consideration of ESG issues within the
Adviser’s investment decision-making
process for the Fund may vary across asset classes, industries and sectors. When deemed by the Adviser
to be relevant to its evaluation of creditworthiness and when applicable information is available, the Adviser considers ESG issues
which may impact the prospects of an issuer (or obligor) or financial performance of an obligation. When considered, one or more
ESG issues are taken into account alongside other factors in the investment decision-making process and are not the sole determinant
of whether an investment can be made or will remain in the Fund’s portfolio.
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.
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,
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 or its agencies or instrumentalities; |
| 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, 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.
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. The Trust provides a complete schedule
of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth fiscal quarters in its reports on Form N-CSR. 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 monies credited to the Fund’s custodian by a Federal Reserve Bank (“Federal Funds”).
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 Advisor
Class or 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, for Advisor Class, payment for Trust shares sold will be made
to your Financial Intermediary within one business day of the day on which the order is processed. For all other share classes,
payment
for Trust shares sold will generally 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) 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; or (f) 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, for Advisor Class, 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 business day after the day on which the securities market re-opens. For
all other share classes, 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.
As discussed in each Fund’s Prospectuses, a redemption is subject to the possibility
of a liquidity fee.
Transactions
With Brokers/Dealers. The Trust has
authorized certain brokers to accept on its behalf purchase and redemption orders.
Some of these brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on a Fund’s behalf.
For purposes of determining the purchase price of shares, a Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order
when an authorized broker, or if applicable, a broker’s authorized designee, accepts the order. In other words, orders will be
priced at the NAV next computed after
such orders are accepted by an authorized broker or the broker’s authorized designee.
ACCOUNT
POLICIES AND FEATURES
Transfer
of Shares. Shareholders
may transfer shares of the 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., 333 W 11th Street, Kansas
City, MO 64105. 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, 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. Before a Fund may implement a reverse distribution, the Fund’s Board must
determine that it is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. Currently, the Board has not made this determination.
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. Before a Fund may implement a reverse share split, the Fund’s Board
must determine that it is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. Currently, the Board has not made this determination.
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
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. These Trustees are the “non-interested” or “Independent” Trustees of the Trust 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 objectives.
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,
2024). 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 Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees One
State Street Hartford, CT 06103 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); formerly, Chairperson
of the Compliance and Insurance
Committee (2015-2024) and 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’Ordre National du Mérite
by the French Government;
elected to the National Academy of
Engineering (2009). |
83
|
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 Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 Birth Year: 1961
|
Trustee
|
Trustee
since March 2022 |
Formerly,
Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management
Portfolio, Delinian Ltd. (financial information)
(2021-2024); Executive Vice President
and various other roles, Legg Mason
& Co. (asset management) (2010-2020);
Managing Director, Stifel Nicolaus
(2005-2010). |
84
|
Trustee
and Member of Advancement and Investment
Committees, Cristo Rey Jesuit High
School (since December 2024); Trustee and
Investment Committee Member,
Georgia Tech Foundation (Since June 2019);
Formerly, Trustee and Chair of Marketing
Committee, and Member of Finance
Committee, Loyola Blakefield (2017-2023);
Trustee, MMI Gateway Foundation
(2017-2023); 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 Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent Trustees One
State Street Hartford, CT 06103 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); Senior Vice President,
Chase Bank (1984-1993). |
83
|
Board
Member, University of Albany Foundation
(2012-present); Board Member, Mutual
Funds Directors Forum (2014-2024); 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 Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 Birth Year: 1955
|
Trustee
|
Since January 2015
|
Interim
Vice President for Investment Management,
Dominion Energy (since
September 2024); Chairperson of the
Equity Investment Committee (since January
2021); Director or Trustee of various
Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015);
Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment
management consulting)
(since June 2014); formerly, Chief Executive
Officer, Virginia Commonwealth
University Investment Company
(2015-2024), 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).
|
84
|
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). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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**
|
|
Richard
G. Gould c/o Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Directors One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 Birth Year: 1959
|
Trustee
|
Since
June 2024 |
Global
Chief Executive Officer, CLSA Ltd. (2019-2021);
Chief Executive Officer, Americas,
CLSA Americas, LLC (2014-2021);
Head of Global Sales, Bloomberg Tradebook,
Bloomberg LP (2010-2014); Founding
Member, Executive Vice President,
Information Services Group (2006-2010);
Managing Director, Morgan Stanley
(1990-2006); Executive Director, International
Portfolio Trading & Derivatives, Morgan
Stanley (1988-1990); Vice President, International
Portfolio Trading & Derivatives, Morgan
Stanley (1986-1988); Equity Derivatives
Trading, Lehman Brothers (1983-1986).
|
84
|
Global
Management Committee Member, CLSA (2014-2020);
Broking Executive Committee Member,
CLSA (2014-2020) |
|
Eddie
A. Grier c/o Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 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). |
84
|
Director,
Witt/Kieffer, Inc. (executive search) (2016-2024);
Director, NuStar GP, LLC (energy) (2021-2024);
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 Morgan, Lewis and
Bockius LLP Counsel
to the Independent Trustees One
State Street Hartford, CT 06103 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).
|
84
|
Director,
Ingram Micro Holding Corporation and Member,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
(since October 2024); 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. (2021-2025); 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. |
83
|
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**
|
|
Michael
F. Klein c/o Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 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). |
83
|
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 Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 Birth Year: 1960
|
Trustee
|
Since January 2017
|
Chairperson
of the Compliance and Insurance
Committee (since January 2025); 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). |
84
|
Formerly,
Trustee (January 2022 to March 2023), Treasurer
(January 2023 to March 2023), and Finance
Committee (January 2022 to March
2023), Nutley Family Service Bureau, Inc.
|
|
W.
Allen Reed c/o Morgan, Lewis and Bockius
LLP Counsel to the Independent
Trustees One State Street Hartford,
CT 06103 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). |
83
|
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, 2024).
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 1585 Broadway 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. |
|
Deidre
A. Downes 1633 Broadway New
York, NY 10019 Birth Year: 1977
|
Chief
Compliance Officer |
Since
November 2021 |
Managing
Director of the Adviser (since January 2024) 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 750 7th Ave New
York, NY 10019 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). |
|
Deidre
E. Walsh 1 Post Office Square Boston,
MA 02109 Birth Year: 1971 |
Secretary
and Chief Legal Officer |
Since
June 2025 |
Managing
Director (since 2021) of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of various entities affiliated with
the Adviser (since 2021); Secretary (since June 2025) and Chief Legal Officer (since June 2025) of various Morgan Stanley Funds.
|
|
Michael
J. Key 1585 Broadway 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 and Francesca
Mead.
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), which may include, for Independent Trustees, shares (if any) deemed to be beneficially owned through
a deferred compensation plan, as of December
31, 2024 is set forth in the table below.
|
|
|
|
Name
of Trustee |
Dollar
Range of Equity Securities in the Funds (as
of December 31, 2024) |
Aggregate
Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered
Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee
in Family of Investment Companies (as of December
31, 2024) |
|
Independent:
|
|
|
|
Frank
L. Bowman |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Frances
L. Cashman |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Kathleen
A. Dennis |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Nancy
C. Everett |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Richard
G. Gould |
1
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Eddie
A. Grier |
2
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Jakki
L. Haussler |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Manuel
H. Johnson |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Michael
F. Klein |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
Patricia
A. Maleski |
3
|
Over
$100,000 |
|
W.
Allen Reed |
None
|
Over
$100,000 |
| 1 |
Treasury Securities
Portfolio (over $100,000). |
| 2 |
Treasury Securities
Portfolio (over $100,000). |
| 3 |
Treasury 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 August 1, 2025, 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
Funds’ 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, and Jakki L. Haussler. 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 such 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, Richard G. Gould
and Patricia A. Maleski, each of whom is an Independent Trustee.
The Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee
is Patricia A. Maleski.
The
Equity Investment Committee and the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee 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 Committee 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, Richard G. Gould, 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, 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, 2024, the Board of Trustees held the
following meetings:
|
|
|
Board
of Trustees/Committee
|
Number
of Meetings |
|
Board
of Trustees |
7
|
|
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 formerly served as Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee and 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 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’Ordre 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 previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Asset
Management Portfolio 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. In addition, Ms. Cashman also serves as a Trustee and Member
of the Advancement and Investment Committees of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.
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. Dennis also formerly served as
a Director on the Board of the Mutual Funds Director Forum.
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.
With
over 30 years of global experience in the financial services industry, Mr. Gould brings extensive expertise in managing and developing
diverse businesses within financial organizations, Mr. Gould’s approach to management combines strategic perspective with
deep global operations experience. Throughout his career in finance, he has held executive positions at firms including Lehman Brothers,
Morgan Stanley, Information Services Group (“ISG”), Bloomberg LP, and CLSA Americas (“CLSA”). Mr. Gould began
his career as an equity derivatives options
trader at Lehman Brothers. He then transitioned to Morgan Stanley to start its Non-US Derivatives
and Global Portfolio trading business, where he eventually became a Managing Director and held a diverse set of senior positions,
heading the firm’s various business lines in New York, London and Tokyo. After his tenure with Morgan Stanley, Mr. Gould
began a new venture as a Founding Member and Executive Vice President of ISG, a special purpose acquisition company. After
successfully taking ISG public, Mr. Gould joined Bloomberg Tradebook as its Head of Global Sales and built a sales organization
around the firm’s fixed income, equities derivatives, FX products and logarithmic trading platform. Mr. Gould next
held Chairman, CEO, and other executive
roles within CLSA Americas, LLC and its global affiliates. At CLSA, he provided strategic leadership
for the company and its affiliates, establishing and implementing long range goals, strategies, plans and policies. He was also
a member of the CLSA Global Management Committee and the CLSA Broking Executive Committee, further contributing to his
governance experience.
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 Regent of University of Massachusetts Global. Mr. Grier is also a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Grier formerly
served as a Director of Witt/Kieffer,
Inc., and Director of NuStar GP, LLC.
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.
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.
In
addition to her tenure as a Director or Trustee of various other funds in the Fund Complex, where she currently serves as the Chairperson
of the Compliance and Insurance Committee, 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 have 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 $350,000 ($335,000 prior to January 1, 2025) 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 and Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee Chairperson each receive
an additional annual retainer fee of $50,000, the Governance Committee Chairperson receives an additional annual retainer fee
of $60,000 ($50,000 prior to January 1, 2025) 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 Morgan Stanley Funds. The Chair of the Boards receives a total annual retainer fee of $630,000 for his 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,
2024 and the aggregate compensation payable to each of the Trust’s
Trustees by the Fund Complex (which includes
all of the Morgan Stanley Funds), which
may include, for Independent Trustees, shares (if any) deemed to be beneficially owned through
a deferred compensation plan, as of December
31, 2024.
|
|
|
|
COMPENSATION1
|
|
Name
of Independent Trustee: |
Aggregate
Compensation From
the Trust2 |
Total
Compensation From Trust and Fund
Complex Paid to the Trustees3
|
|
Frank
L. Bowman |
$342,233
|
$400,000
|
|
Frances
L. Cashman2,3
|
286,464
|
335,000
|
|
Kathleen
A. Dennis |
329,399
|
385,000
|
|
Nancy
C. Everett |
329,061
|
385,000
|
|
Richard
G. Gould4 |
167,996
|
195,417
|
|
Eddie
A. Grier |
286,326
|
335,000
|
|
Jakki
L. Haussler |
354,702
|
415,000
|
|
Manuel
H. Johnson |
329,399
|
385,000
|
|
Michael
F. Klein2,3
|
329,406
|
385,000
|
|
Patricia
Maleski |
286,326
|
335,000
|
|
W.
Allen Reed3 |
539,007
|
630,000
|
| 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, 2024: Ms. Cashman, $143,166 and Mr. Klein, $329,406. |
| 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, 2024 before
deferral by the Trustee under the DC Plan.
As of December 31, 2024, the value (including interest) of the deferral accounts across the Fund Complex for Ms. Cashman and Messrs.
Klein and Reed pursuant to the deferred compensation plans was $363,270, $4,541,878 and $4,290,930, 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 |
Mr. Gould became
a member of the Board of Trustees on June 1, 2024. |
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, 2024, 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 |
$(18,530)
|
$52,976
|
| 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 services firm engaged
in securities trading and brokerage activities,
as well as providing investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory
services. The principal offices of Morgan Stanley and the Adviser are located at 1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. As of
March 31, 2025, the Adviser, together with its affiliated asset management companies, had approximately $1.6
trillion in assets under management or
supervision.
The
Adviser provides investment advice and portfolio management services pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”)
and, subject to the supervision of the 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 average 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 Plus Class, Institutional Select Class, Investor
Class, Administrative Class, Advisory Class, Participant Class, Cash Management Class, Select Class, CastleOak Class, Impact
Partner Class, Impact Class and Advisor Class will not exceed 0.20% (0.15% with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.22% (0.17%
with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.25% (0.20% with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.30% (0.25% with respect to
Government Portfolio), 0.35% (0.30% with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.45% (0.40% with respect to Government Portfolio),
0.70% (0.65% with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.35% (0.30% with respect to Government Portfolio), 1.00% (0.95%
with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.20% (0.15% with respect to Government Portfolio), 0.20% (0.15% with respect to
Government Portfolio), 0.20% (0.15% with respect to Government Portfolio) and 0.20% (0.15% with respect to Government
Portfolio) 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, 2022,
2023 and 2024:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advisory
Fees Paid (After Fee Waivers
and/or Affiliated Rebates)
|
Advisory
Fees Waived |
Affiliated
Rebates |
|
Fund
|
2022 (000)
|
2023 (000)
|
2024 (000)
|
2022 (000)
|
2023 (000)
|
2024 (000)
|
2022 (000)
|
2023 (000)
|
2024 (000)
|
|
Government
Portfolio |
$98,943
|
$149,785
|
$141,757
|
$127,295
|
$69,955
|
$72,540
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
$34,644
|
$45,633
|
$42,249
|
$25,804
|
$1,900
|
$1,866
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
$40,596
|
$61,793
|
$68,698
|
$36,118
|
$2,377
|
$2,650
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
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 the Trust’s Board in accordance
with the 1940 Act, 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 1585
Broadway, 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 the registration of its shares with the SEC and various states and the printing of its prospectuses, statements
of additional information and reports to shareholders.
SERVICE
AND DISTRIBUTION OF SHARES
Administration
Plans
The
Trust has entered into an Administration Plan with respect to its Institutional Plus 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 Plus Class shares, is authorized to pay the Distributor a monthly administration fee at an annual rate of 0.02%
of each Fund’s average daily net assets of Institutional Plus 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, 2024, no payments were made by the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios pursuant
to the Institutional Plus Class Administration Plan because Institutional Plus Class shares of the Government, Treasury and Treasury
Securities Portfolios had not commenced operations.
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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Institutional Select Class
paid $2,790,932, $1,508,939 and $3,624 respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Institutional Select Class
Administration
Plan and such payments reflect a waiver of $0, $0, and $0 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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Investor Class paid $5,805,871,
$96,951 and $4,851, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Investor Class Administration Plan and
such payments reflect a waiver of $0, $0, 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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Administrative Class paid
$428,129, $19,194 and $156,649, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Administrative Class Administration
Plan and such payments reflect a waiver of $0, $0, 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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Advisory Class paid $5,285,458,
$1,045,804 and $275,647, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Advisory Class Service and Shareholder
Administration Plan and such payments reflect a waiver of $0, $0, 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.
For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Participant Class paid
$6,586,767, $5,598,368 and $79,096, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Participant Class Shareholder Service
Plan and reflect a waiver of $0, $0, and $0, respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for shareholder administration-related
and person 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, 2024, the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Cash Management Class
paid $686, $1,946 and $3,472, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Cash Management Class Shareholder
Service Plan and reflect a waiver of $0, $0, and $0, respectively. These fees were used to reimburse third parties for shareholder
administration-related and person 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, 2024, the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Select Class paid $135,
$135 and $134, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Select Class Shareholder Service Plan and reflect a waiver
of $0, $0 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.
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.
For
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Participant Class paid
$6,586,767, $5,598,368 and $79,096, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Participant Class Distribution
Plan and reflect a waiver of $0, $0, 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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Cash Management Class
paid $1,373, $3,893 and $6,944, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Cash Management Class Distribution
Plan and reflect a waiver of $0, $0, and $0, 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, 2024,
the Government, Treasury and Treasury Securities Portfolios of the Select Class paid $297,
$296 and $296, respectively, to compensate the Distributor pursuant to the Select Class Distribution Plan and reflect a waiver of
$0, $0 and $0, 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)
the Adviser may, from time-to-time, pay fees in consideration of its participation at various Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
events, including seminars, conferences
and meetings; and
(2)
the Adviser may, from time-to-time, pay fees 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, 2022,
2023 and 2024, the Trust paid the following administrative fees;
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administrative
Fees Paid |
|
Fund
|
20221 (000)
|
2023 (000)
|
2024 (000)
|
|
Government
Portfolio |
$68,657
|
$73,247
|
$71,432
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
$19,265
|
$15,844
|
$14,705
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
$24,088
|
$21,390
|
$23,783
|
| 1 |
For the fiscal
year ended October 31, 2022, the administration fees paid reflect a waiver of approximately $6,756,000, $884,000 and $1,483,000 for Government,
Treasury and Treasury Securities 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 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114, 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., 333 W 11th Street, Kansas City,
MO. 64105, serves as the Funds’
transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.
Co-Transfer
Agent. Morgan Stanley Services Company,
Inc. (“MSSCI”), 1585 Broadway, 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 the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and provides
audit and audit-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 Cross-Asset Risk team (“GRA-X”). GRA-X 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, 2022,
2023 and 2024, the Trust did not effect any principal transactions with Morgan Stanley
& Co. LLC.
Commissions
Paid
During
the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022,
2023 and 2024, 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, 2024, the Funds did not purchase securities issued by issuers who 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. At October
31, 2024, the Funds did not own any securities issued by any of such issuers.
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 Plus Class, 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.
If
your purchase order is received in good order by a Fund prior to the below times, then you will be a shareholder of record as of that
business day. You will no longer be a shareholder of record on the business day on which your redemption order is received in good order
by the Fund prior to the below times.
|
|
|
Government
Portfolio Treasury Portfolio
|
As
of 5:00 p.m. Eastern time |
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
As
of 3:00 p.m. Eastern time |
Accordingly,
if your purchase order is received in good order by a Fund prior to the above times, then you begin to earn dividends on that day. If
your redemption order is received in good order by a Fund prior to the above times, you will not earn a dividend on that day. However,
with respect to purchase (or redemption) orders placed with a Financial Intermediary prior
to the above times and transmitted through a trading platform utilized by the Financial Intermediary, you may begin
to earn dividends the next business day after (or continue to earn dividends through the day
on which) your order is placed with the Financial Intermediary. Dividends declared for Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are payable
to shareholders 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 assist a Fund in imposing, lifting or modifying a liquidity fee.
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) 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.
Shareholders
normally will be subject to federal income taxes on dividends paid from interest income derived from taxable securities and
on distributions of net short-term capital gains and long-term capital gains. Such distributions also may be subject to state and local
income tax. However, any dividends attributable to interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government may be exempt from
state and local taxes. Interest and realized net short-term capital gains distributions are generally taxable to the shareholder as ordinary
dividend income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such distributions in additional shares or in cash. Since each Fund’s
income is expected to be derived entirely from interest rather than dividends, none of such distributions will be eligible for the federal
dividends received deduction available to corporations or as qualified dividends for non-corporate shareholders.
Certain
distributions reported by a Fund 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 Section 163(j) of the Code. 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) interest 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.
Realized
net long-term capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long the shareholder has
held the Fund shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in additional shares or in cash. The maximum individual
rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain
threshold amounts. Realized net long-term capital gains distributions are not eligible for the dividends received deduction.
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 other income realized by the Fund 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 reported 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 report 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.
If
a Fund invests in shares of other investment companies that are taxed as regulated investment companies (“underlying funds”),
the Fund’s realized losses on sales
of shares of an underlying fund may be indefinitely or permanently deferred as “wash sales.” Distributions
of short-term capital gains by an underlying fund will be recognized as ordinary income by the Fund and would not be offset
by the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any. Capital loss carryforwards of an underlying fund, if any, would not offset net
capital gains of the Fund or of any other
underlying fund. Redemptions of shares in an underlying fund could also result in a gain and/or
income to the Fund and cause additional distributable gains to shareholders.
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, 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.
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. 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 July 31, 2025, 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:
|
|
|
|
CASTLEOAK
SHARES |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN STIF Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh PA 15251-2910
|
46.03%
|
|
|
SAP
America Inc ATTN Compliance 2033 N
Main St Ste 360 Walnut Creek CA 94596-3726
|
11.75%
|
|
|
|
|
|
JPMS
- Chase Processing 28521 JPMS IB 352 FBO
7528188514188 FBO American Honda Motor 4
Chase Metrotech Center 7th Fl Brooklyn NY 11245-0003
|
11.56%
|
|
|
State
Street Global Markets LLC ATTN Gregory Fortuna 1
Lincoln ST SFC-6 Boston MA 02111-2900
|
9.80%
|
|
|
AT&T
Inc ATTN Paul Christensen 208
S Akard RM 2750 10 Dallas TX 75202-4206
|
7.11%
|
|
INSTITUTIONAL
CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special Custody Acct For
The Exclusive Benefit of Customers of
MSSB 1300 Thames Street Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
26.08%
|
|
|
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN STIF Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh PA 15251-2910
|
13.31%
|
|
|
US
Bank NA FBO SVB PO Box 1787 Milwaukee
WI 53201-1787 |
6.23%
|
|
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
|
18.76%
|
|
|
Hare
& Co 2 ATTN STIF Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh PA 15251-2910
|
13.40%
|
|
|
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC* Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive Benefit of Customers
of MSSB 1300 Thames Street Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
10.78%
|
|
|
Citibank
NA as Agent For Various Clients 388
Greenwich St Fl 7 New York NY 10013-2362
|
6.63%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC* Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive Benefit of Customers
of MSSB 1300 Thames Street Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
65.13%
|
|
|
Hare
& Co 2 B ATTN STIF Operations PO
Box 223910 Pittsburgh PA 15251-2910
|
6.03%
|
|
|
|
|
INSTITUTIONAL
SELECT CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Silicon
Valley Bank ATTN Liquidity Mngt Middle Office 3003
Tasman Dr Santa Clara CA 95054-1191
|
95.65%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Silicon
Valley Bank ATTN Liquidity Mngt Middle Office 3003
Tasman Dr Santa Clara CA 95054-1191
|
99.91%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Band
& Co C/O US Bank NA PO Box 1787 Milwaukee
Wi 53201-1787 |
54.89%
|
|
|
Regions
Bank FBO Black Warrior Solid Waste ATTN
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900 5th Ave N Fl 14th Birmingham
AL 35203-2610 |
34.76%
|
|
|
Regions
Bank FBO Bella Vista Village Poa Water Account ATTN:
Regions Liquidity Manager 1900 5th Ave N Fl 14th Birmingham
AL 35203-2610 |
6.59%
|
|
SELECT
CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
100%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
100%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
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 |
93.02%
|
|
|
Manufacturers
and Traders Trust Company ATTN
Trust & Investment Services 1100 Wehrle Drive Williamsville
NY 14221-7748 |
6.96%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Manufacturers
and Traders Trust Company ATTN
Trust & Investment Services 1100 Wehrle Drive Williamsville
NY 14221-7748 |
99.96%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Manufacturers
and Traders Trust Company ATTN
Trust & Investment Services 1100 Wehrle Drive Williamsville
NY 14221-7748 |
97.06%
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
94.01%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt Lake City UT 84130-0880
|
86.31%
|
|
|
City
of Marquette ATTN Gary Simpson 300
W Baraga Ave Marquette, MI 49855-4712
|
7.53%
|
|
|
Fred
M. Luth & Sons Inc ATTN Bill Luth 4516
McRee Ave Saint Louis, MO 63110-2238
|
5.97%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Zions
First National Bank Trust Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt Lake City UT 84130-0880
|
99.94%
|
|
ADVISORY
CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Computershare
Trust Company NA FBO CCT Clients ATTN
Thomas Spataro 150 Royall St Canton
MA 02021-1031 |
37.03%
|
|
|
SEI
Private Trust Company C/O Regions Bank 1
Freedom Valley Drive Oaks PA 19456-9989
|
25.77%
|
|
|
Zions
First National Bank Trust Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt Lake City UT 84130-0880
|
10.48%
|
|
|
Huntington
National Bank Carey & Co 7
Easton Oval Ea4E70 Columbus OH 43219-6010
|
9.64%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
SEI
Private Trust Company C/O Regions Bank 1
Freedom Valley Drive Oaks PA 19456-9989
|
64.53%
|
|
|
Zions
First National Bank Trust Dept ATTN Robyn Broadhead PO
Box 30880 Salt Lake City UT 84130-0880
|
9.97%
|
|
|
GS
Global Cash Services Omnibus A/C FBO Goldman Sachs
& Co LLC Customers ATTN Financial Control 71
S Wacker Dr Ste 500 Chicago IL 60606-4673
|
7.37%
|
|
|
CBNA
FBO Taco Bell Franchisor Senior Interest Reserve
Ac I ATTN: Taco Bell Funding 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30th Jersey City NJ 07310-2053
|
6.28%
|
|
|
Huntington
National Bank Carey & Co 7
Easton Oval Ea4E70 Columbus OH 43219-6010
|
5.91%
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Amalgamated
Bank of Chicago ATTN Trust Operations 30
N Lasalle St 38th Fl Trust Dept Chicago IL 60602-2590
|
31.18%
|
|
|
CBNA
FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC Principal Coll AC
12300100 ATTN CBNA FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30 Jersey City NJ 07310-2053
|
29.53%
|
|
|
Computershare
Trust Company NA FBO CCT Clients ATTN
Thomas Spataro 150 Royall St Canton
MA 02021-1031 |
17.41%
|
|
|
CBNA
FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC Unfunded Resv AC
12300400 ATTN CBNA FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30 Jersey City NJ 07310-2053
|
14.50%
|
|
|
CBNA
FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC Interest Coll AC
12300200 ATTN CBNA FBO CMFT Corp Credit Secs LLC 480
Washington Blvd Fl 30 Jersey City NJ 07310-2053
|
7.02%
|
|
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%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
UMB
Bank NA ATTN Trust Dept Money Market Desk 928
Grand Blvd MS 1010405 PO Box 419260 Kansas
City MO 64141-6260 |
98.70%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
SEI
Private Trust Company C/O Regions Bank 1
Freedom Valley Drive Oaks PA 19456-9989
|
69.72%
|
|
|
Esquire
Bank NA - Trading Account Esquire Bank as Agent
For Kiesel Law LLP JCCP 4861 Cost 100
Jericho Quadrangle Ste 100 Jericho NY 11753-2708
|
23.30%
|
|
|
Esquire
Bank NA - Trading Account Esquire Bank as Agent
For Kiesel Law LLP JCCP 4861 Common
Benefit Fees 100 Jericho Quadrangle Ste 100 Jericho
NY 11753-2708 |
5.95%
|
|
CASH
MANAGEMENT CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special Custody Acct For
The Exclusive Benefit of Customers of
MSSB 1300 Thames Street Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
71.10%
|
|
|
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
28.90%
|
|
|
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC* Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive Benefit of Customers
of MSSB 1300 Thames Street Wharf 6th
Fl 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 Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
100%
|
|
IMPACT
CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Mizuho
Securities USA Inc 1271 Avenue of The Americas
Fl 2 New York NY 10020-1404
|
40.50%
|
|
|
Commonwealth
Edison Company ATTN Compliance 2033
N Main St Ste 360 Walnut Creek CA 94596-3726
|
22.97%
|
|
|
Texas
Instruments Incorporated 12500 Ti Blvd Msc A3000 Dallas
TX 75243-0592 |
15.59%
|
|
|
Colgate-Palmolive
Company ATTN Miguel Perez 300
Park Ave New York NY 10022-7412
|
8.16%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
100%
|
|
ADVISOR
CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC Special Custody Acct For
The Exclusive Benefit of Customers of MSSB 1300
Thames St Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore MD 21231-3496
|
99.92%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Smith Barney LLC* Special
Custody Acct For The Exclusive Benefit of Customers
of MSSB 1300 Thames St Wharf 6th Fl Baltimore
MD 21231-3496 |
99.97%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
100%
|
|
IMPACT
PARTNER CLASS |
|
Fund
|
Name
and Address |
%
of Class |
|
Government
Portfolio |
GS
Global Cash Services Omnibus A/C FBO Goldman Sachs
& Co LLC Customers ATTN Financial Control 71
S Wacker Dr Ste 500 Chicago IL 60606-4673
|
59.25%
|
|
|
Delta
Air Lines Inc Treasury Department #856 1030
Delta Boulevard Atlanta GA 30354-1989
|
21.25%
|
|
|
|
|
|
JPMS
- Chase Processing 28521 JPMS IB 352 FBO
7528049211049 FBO Cadence Design Systems, Inc. 4
Chase Metrotech Center 7th Fl Brooklyn NY 11245-0003
|
13.14%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
Morgan
Stanley Investment Management ATTN Michael Agosta 1633
Broadway Fl 26 New York NY 10019-6942
|
100%
|
| * |
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 could have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the
respective Fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of such Fund. |
As
of July 31, 2025, 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
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, 2024 and the effective yields of the
Funds for the 7-day period ended October
31, 2024. Performance information for Impact Class shares of Treasury Securities
Portfolio, Impact Partner Class shares of Government and Treasury Securities Portfolios and Advisor Class and Institutional
Plus Class shares of the Funds will be provided once the Impact Class, Impact Partner Class, Advisor Class and Institutional
Plus Class shares of each Fund, as applicable, have completed a full fiscal year of operations.
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidized
Yields |
|
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October
31, 2024 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October
31, 2024 |
|
Government
Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.78%
|
4.89%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.72%
|
4.83%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.68%
|
4.79%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.63%
|
4.73%
|
|
Advisory
Class |
4.53%
|
4.63%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.28%
|
4.37%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.63%
|
4.73%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.98%
|
4.06%
|
|
CastleOak
Class |
4.78%
|
4.89%
|
|
Impact
Class |
4.78%
|
4.89%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.71%
|
4.82%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.66%
|
4.77%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.61%
|
4.72%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.56%
|
4.67%
|
|
Advisory
Class |
4.46%
|
4.56%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.21%
|
4.30%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.56%
|
4.67%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.91%
|
3.99%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.63%
|
4.74%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.58%
|
4.69%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.53%
|
4.64%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.48%
|
4.58%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subsidized
Yields |
|
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October 31, 2024 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October 31, 2024 |
|
Advisory
Class |
4.38%
|
4.48%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.13%
|
4.22%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.48%
|
4.58%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.84%
|
3.91%
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Subsidized
Yields |
|
|
Current
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October
31, 2024 |
Effective
Yield 7-Day Period Ended October
31, 2024 |
|
Government
Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.72%
|
4.84%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.67%
|
4.78%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.62%
|
4.73%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.57%
|
4.68%
|
|
Advisory
Class |
4.48%
|
4.57%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.23%
|
4.32%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.57%
|
4.67%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.93%
|
4.00%
|
|
CastleOak
Class |
4.72%
|
4.84%
|
|
Impact
Class |
4.72%
|
4.84%
|
|
Treasury
Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.71%
|
4.82%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.65%
|
4.76%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.61%
|
4.71%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.56%
|
4.66%
|
|
Advisory
Class |
4.46%
|
4.55%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.21%
|
4.29%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.56%
|
4.66%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.91%
|
3.98%
|
|
Treasury
Securities Portfolio |
|
Institutional
Class |
4.63%
|
4.73%
|
|
Institutional
Select Class |
4.58%
|
4.68%
|
|
Investor
Class |
4.53%
|
4.63%
|
|
Administrative
Class |
4.48%
|
4.58%
|
|
Advisory
Class |
4.38%
|
4.47%
|
|
Participant
Class |
4.13%
|
4.21%
|
|
Cash
Management Class |
4.47%
|
4.57%
|
|
Select
Class |
3.83%
|
3.91%
|
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.
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 any new or successor funds, programs, accounts
or
businesses sponsored, managed, or advised by the Adviser or one of its investment adviser affiliates, 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, the Adviser and/or the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates
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. The conflicts herein do
not purport to be a complete list or explanation of the conflicts associated with the financial or other interests the Adviser or its
affiliates may have now or in the future.
Conflicts of interest not described below may also exist. References to the Adviser in this section
include a Fund’s affiliated sub-adviser (if any) unless otherwise noted.
The
discussions below with respect to actual, apparent and potential conflicts of interest may be applicable to or arise from the Affiliated
Investment Accounts managed by the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates 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 disposition opportunity including for an extended period of time. 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 transact 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 information
held by certain parts of Morgan Stanley may be subject to third party confidentiality obligations and to information barriers
established by Morgan Stanley designed 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,
or invest alongside, 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, the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates 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. Furthermore, Morgan Stanley could have an interest that is different from, and potentially adverse
to, that of the Fund, which may impede the Fund from participating in certain opportunities. 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 including for an extended
period of time, 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.
Morgan
Stanley has established certain information barriers and other policies designed to address the sharing of information between
different businesses within Morgan Stanley. As a result of information barriers, the Adviser, in certain instances, will not have
access, or will have limited access, to certain information and personnel in other areas of Morgan Stanley and, in such instances, 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 various 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
other instances, Morgan Stanley personnel, including personnel of the Adviser, will have access to information and personnel of its affiliates.
For example, the Adviser may, in certain instances, share information with its affiliates regarding due diligence of companies and
other investment-related due diligence. The Adviser may face conflicts of interest in determining whether to engage in the sharing
of information with its affiliates. Information sharing 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 the sharing of information). Also, it may adversely affect a Fund’s investments, ability to invest
in, or divest from, a company or engage
in transactions or otherwise disadvantage a Fund. 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 or other internal information sharing protocols, 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 desirable and 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.
Morgan
Stanley and its personnel will not be under any obligation or other duty to share certain information with the Adviser or personnel
involved in decision-making for Affiliated Investment Accounts (including the Funds), as applicable, and the Adviser may make
investment decisions for a Fund that differ from those the Adviser would have made if Morgan Stanley, or other parts, of the Adviser
had provided such information, and the Fund be disadvantaged as a result thereof. Additionally, different portfolio management
teams within the Adviser may make decisions based on information or take (or refrain from taking) actions with respect to
Affiliated Investment Accounts they advise in a manner different than or adverse to the Funds.
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. An investment team
may have obligations to Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by both the Adviser and one or more of the Adviser’s investment
adviser affiliates. 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 or its investment
adviser affiliates. 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. 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. The interests
of Morgan Stanley in an investment or a company may present certain conflicts of interest with respect to an investment by a
Fund in the same investment or a Fund’s participation in a transaction with such company.
To
the extent the Adviser utilizes quantitative models or risk management or optimization investment techniques, the decision on when
to initiate a purchase or sale transaction may differ, and be done for different reasons, than the Adviser or its affiliates may take
for Affiliated Investment Accounts when
not utilizing such techniques. This could create conflicts of interest, and it is possible that one
or more accounts managed by the Adviser will achieve investment results that are substantially more or less favorable than those results
achieved by a Fund.
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 and its affiliates, including a Fund, may invest in (1) different classes of securities of the same issuer (including,
without limitation, different parts of an issuer’s capital structure), depending on the respective clients’ investment objectives
and policies and/or (2) the same class of securities of the same issuer while seeking different investment objectives or executing
different investment strategies (such as long-term v. short-term investment horizons), and the Adviser may face conflicts
with respect to the interests involved.
As a result, the Adviser and its affiliates, at times, will seek to satisfy fiduciary obligations to certain
clients owning one / the same 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. Alternatively, for example, if a client owns a security while seeking short-term capital
appreciation that Adviser may vote proxies or engage with the issuer (as applicable) in pursuit of that goal—which could negatively
impact clients who hold the same security but are seeking long-term capital appreciation. These conflicts also exist as between
the Adviser’s clients, including a Fund, and the Affiliated Investment Accounts managed by the Adviser’s investment adviser
affiliates.
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.
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
and the Adviser may make decisions for a Fund that may be more beneficial to one type of shareholder than another.
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 amounts 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 or pay a higher overall fee rate. The existence
of such a performance based fee or higher fee rates 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 the Adviser’s investment adviser affiliates.
From
time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may provide opportunities to Affiliated Investment Accounts (including potentially a Fund)
or other clients to make investments in companies (such as in equity, debt or other securities issued by companies) or to engage
in transactions involving companies (such as refinancing, restructuring or other transactions) in which certain Affiliated Investment
Accounts (including potentially a Fund) or other clients have already invested. These investments can create conflicts of interest,
including those associated with the assets of a Fund potentially providing value to, or otherwise supporting the investments of,
other Affiliated Investment Accounts or other clients and potentially diluting or otherwise adversely affecting a Fund previously invested
in the company.
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.
For the Adviser and certain of its investment adviser affiliates, the entities and individuals
that provide investment-related services can differ by client, investment function, or business line (each, an “Investment Department”
and collectively, the “Investment Departments”). Nonetheless, Investment Departments (with certain exceptions) can engage
in discussions and share information and resources with another Investment Department (or a team within the other Investment
Department) regarding 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. However, an investment
team’s decisions as to the use of shared research and participation in discussions with another Investment Department could
adversely impact a client. Certain investment teams within one Investment Department could make investment decisions and execute
trades together with investment teams within other Investment Departments. Other investment teams make investment decisions
and execute trades independently. This could cause the quality and price of execution, and the performance of investments and
accounts, to vary. Internal policies and procedures set forth the guidelines under which securities and securities trades can be crossed,
aggregated, and coordinated between accounts serviced by different Investment Departments. Internal policies and procedures
take into consideration a variety of factors, including the primary market in which such security trades. If a security or securities
trade is ineligible for crossing, aggregation, or other coordinated trading, then each Investment Department will execute such
trades independently of the other.
Payments
to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries.
The Adviser, Distributor and/or their affiliates may pay compensation,
out of their own funds and not as an expense of a 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 a 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. In certain cases, payments to broker-dealers and other Financial Intermediaries may be
shared by and among the Adviser, the Distributor and their affiliates.
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.
The
additional compensation received by a given Financial Intermediary from the Adviser and/or the Distributor may vary from the additional
compensation received by the Financial Intermediary in respect of an Affiliated Investment Account managed by an affiliate
of the Adviser or principally underwritten by an affiliate of the Distributor. In such circumstances, differences in 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 one Affiliated Investment
Account over other investment options with respect to which these Financial Intermediaries do not receive additional compensation
(or receives lower levels of additional compensation).
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, as further described below. 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 companies in financial restructurings outside of, 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, or participating on steering committees and other committees in connection with existing
investments, 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.
In
addition, 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 or refrains
from taking certain actions related to the management of such investment due to, among other reasons, 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’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. Due to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, a Fund may be restricted from participating
in certain transactions in which Morgan
Stanley acts as underwriter, placement agent, syndicator, broker, administrative agent, servicer, advisor,
arranger or structuring agent, including transactions that would otherwise be beneficial to the Fund.
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. 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.
Investments
in Morgan Stanley Funds and Other Funds.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, a Fund may invest in a fund affiliated
with the Adviser or its affiliates or a fund advised by the Adviser or its affiliates. In connection with any such investments, an
investing Fund, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, will pay all advisory, administrative and/or Rule 12b-1 fees applicable to the
investment. Investments by a Fund in a fund affiliated with the Adviser or its affiliates or a fund advised by the Adviser or its affiliates
present potential conflicts of interest, including potential incentives to invest in smaller or newer funds to increase asset levels
or provide greater viability. The Adviser voluntarily waives advisory fees of a Fund associated with investments by the Fund in a fund
advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, which will reduce, but will not eliminate, these types of conflicts.
The
Affiliated Investment Accounts (including the Funds) may, individually or in the aggregate, own a substantial percentage of a Fund.
Further, the Adviser, its affiliates, or another entity (i.e., a seed investor) may invest in the Funds at or near the establishment of
such Funds, which may facilitate the Funds achieving a specified size or scale. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to
an investor that contributes seed capital to a Fund. Such payments may continue for a specified period of time and/or until a specified
dollar amount is reached, and will be made from the assets of the Adviser and/or such affiliates (and not the applicable Fund).
Seed investors may contribute all or a majority of the assets in a Fund. There is a risk that such seed investors may redeem their
investments in the Fund, particularly after payments from the Adviser and/or its affiliates have ceased. Such redemptions could negatively
impact a Fund’s liquidity, expenses and market price of its shares, as applicable.
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.
Affiliated
Indexes. Affiliates of the Adviser
develop, own and operate indexes (“Indexes”), and may continue to do so in the future, based
on investment and trading strategies and concepts developed by the Adviser or its affiliates (“Adviser Strategies”). Some
of the Funds seek to track the performance
of the Indexes. The Adviser manages Accounts which track the same Indexes used by the Funds or
which are based on the same, or substantially similar, Adviser Strategies that are used in the operation of the Indexes and the Funds.
The operation of the Indexes, the Funds and the Accounts in this manner gives rise to potential conflicts of interest. For example,
Accounts that track the same Indexes used by the Funds may engage in purchases and sales of securities prior to when the Index
and the Funds engage in similar transactions because such Accounts may be managed and rebalanced on an ongoing basis, whereas
the Funds’ portfolios are only rebalanced on a periodic or other basis subsequent to the rebalancing of the Index.
The
Adviser has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to address potential conflicts that arise in connection with the operation
of the Indexes, the Funds and the Accounts. The Adviser has established certain information barriers and other policies designed
to address the sharing of information between different businesses within the Investment Adviser, including with respect to personnel
responsible for constructing and maintaining the Indexes and those involved in decision-making for the Funds.
Valuation
of the Funds’ Investments.
The Adviser performs certain valuation services related to securities and other assets held by the
Funds and performs such services in accordance with its valuation policies. The Adviser will face a conflict with respect to valuation
of the Funds’ investments generally because of the effect of such valuations on the Adviser’s fees and other compensation
and performance of the Funds.
Proxy
Voting by the Adviser. The Adviser
has implemented processes designed to prevent conflicts of interest from influencing proxy
voting decisions that it makes on behalf of advisory clients, including the Funds, and to help ensure that such decisions are made
in accordance with its fiduciary obligations to its clients. Notwithstanding such proxy voting processes, proxy voting decisions
made
by the Adviser in respect of securities held by the Funds may benefit the interests of Morgan Stanley and/or accounts other than
the Funds. Further, the Adviser may make different proxy voting decisions in respect of the same security held by clients with different
investment objectives or strategies. For a more detailed discussion of these policies and procedures, see the section of the Statement
of Additional Information entitled “Morgan Stanley Investment Management Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures.”
Potential
Conflict of Interest Related to Use of Sub-Adviser(s). To the extent the Adviser to a Fund engages affiliated and/or unaffiliated
sub-advisers, the Adviser generally expects to compensate the sub-adviser out of the advisory fee it receives from the Fund, which creates
an incentive for the Adviser to select sub-adviser(s) with lower fee rates or to select affiliated sub-adviser(s). In addition, a sub-adviser
may have interests and relationships that create actual or potential conflicts of interest related to their management of Fund assets
allocated to or managed by the sub-adviser. These conflicts may be similar to or different from the conflicts described herein related
to Morgan Stanley and its investment advisory affiliates. For additional information about potential conflicts of interest for each sub-adviser(s)
can be found in the relevant sub-adviser’s Form ADV. A copy of Part 1 and Part 2 of a sub-adviser’s Form ADV is available
on the SEC’s website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).
Electronic
Communication Networks and Alternative Trading Systems.
The Adviser’s affiliate(s) have ownership interests in and/or
board seats on electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) or other alternative trading systems (“ATSs”). In
certain instances the Adviser’s
affiliate(s) could be deemed to control one or more of such ECNs or ATSs based on the level of such ownership interests
and whether such affiliates are represented on the board of such ECNs or ATSs. Consistent with its fiduciary obligation to seek
best execution, the Adviser may, from time to time, directly or indirectly, effect client trades through ECNs or other ATSs in which
the Firm’s affiliates have or could acquire an interest or board seat. These affiliates might receive an indirect economic benefit
based upon their ownership in the ECNs
or other ATSs. The Adviser will, directly or indirectly, execute through an ECN or other ATSs
in which an affiliate has an interest only in situations where the Firm or the broker dealer through whom it is accessing the ECN
or ATS reasonably believes such transaction will be in the best interest of its clients and the requirements of applicable law have been
satisfied.
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
The
Funds’ audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, including notes thereto, and the report of Ernst
& Young LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, are included in the Funds’ report filed on Form N-CSR and are incorporated
by reference into this SAI. A copy of the annual financial statements and additional information included in the Funds’ report
filed on Form N-CSR must accompany the delivery of this SAI. In
addition, the unaudited financial statements of the Funds, including
notes thereto, for the six-month period ended April 30, 2025, as included in the Funds’ report filed on Form N-CSR, are incorporated
by reference into this SAI. The
unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of
management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim period presented. In addition, all such adjustments are of a
normal recurring nature.
APPENDIX
A — MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EQUITY PROXY VOTING POLICY
AND PROCEDURES
Introduction
This
Proxy Voting Policy (“Policy”) sets out Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s (“MSIM”)1
approach to Proxy Voting, the procedures
it follows with respect to Proxy Voting and the guidelines used to inform voting on key issues. The Policy is reviewed annually
and updated as necessary to address new and evolving proxy voting issues and standards.
A.
MSIM Approach to Proxy Voting
MSIM
will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests of clients in accordance with its fiduciary duties, consistent
with the objectives of the relevant investment strategy (“Client Proxy Standard”). MSIM will generally seek to vote proxies
in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines
set out below.
MSIM
has a decentralized approach towards investment management, consisting of independent investment teams. Investment teams
seek to integrate this Policy with their investment goals and client expectations, using their vote to support sound corporate governance
with the aim of enhancing long-term shareholder value, providing a high standard of transparency, and enhancing companies’
economic value. To that end, investment teams retain the overall vote decision. In some circumstances, MSIM may further
define guidelines that sit under this Policy providing more details on company expectations and voting decisions applicable to certain
strategies.
Under
this Policy, proxy voting is led by our investment teams with support from the Global Stewardship Team (“GST”). The GST
supports investment teams to vote in accordance
with the Client Proxy Standard and comprises individuals who are separate from our
investment teams. The GST is also responsible for the consistent application of this Policy and the Proxy Voting Guidelines and for
providing voting recommendations to investment teams. The GST also oversees the proxy voting operational processes, vote execution
and research.
As
a result of MSIM’s independent investment team structure, a situation may emerge in which different investment teams
have different views on how to vote the
same proxy in the best interest of their respective clients. Under these circumstances, each investment
team will vote according to their views.
B.
Applicability of Policy
This
Policy2
applies to proxy voting activities across MSIM. MSIM votes proxies on behalf of its sponsored funds and advisory clients
that have granted it the authority to
do so and will vote the proxies in accordance with this Policy unless otherwise agreed with the client.
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.
Proxy
Voting Procedures
MSIM
follows the following procedures when voting proxies:
A.
Proprietary Proxy Voting Platform
MSIM
uses a proprietary management system, Provosys3,
when voting proxies. Provosys streamlines our proxy voting process by providing
a centralized platform for research, vote instruction and management of conflicts of interests. We believe that the internal management
of this process provides us with enhanced quality control, as well as oversight and independence of the proxy administration
process. Our proprietary system also handles workflow around proxy voting, documenting the views of various investment
teams and the GST where relevant.
B.
Proxy Services Provided by Third Parties
MSIM
also retains the services of Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis (collectively, the “Proxy
Service Providers3”)
for proxy vote execution, reporting, record-keeping, and where appropriate, to provide company-level reports that summarize
key data elements within an issuer’s proxy statement or on specific thematic/market topics.
MSIM
performs periodic due diligence on the Proxy Service Providers as part of ongoing oversight. Topics of the reviews include, but
are not limited to, the Proxy Service Providers’ management of conflicts of interest, methodologies for developing their policies
and vote recommendations, and resources.
C.
Proxy Voting Operations
The GST3
is responsible for ensuring that voting instructions from investment teams and clients (where applicable) are communicated
to our Proxy Service Provider responsible for proxy vote execution (currently, ISS serves in this capacity) and that adequate
controls are in place to ensure instructions communicated electronically are accurately recorded in ISS systems for execution (including
scenarios where votes have been split because of client preference or differing investment team convictions).
Additionally,
the GST conducts monthly reviews of a vote audit report provided by ISS, confirming the execution status for meetings and
conducts ex-post reviews to confirm that ISS has accurately implemented voting instructions.
D.
Proxy Voting Oversight
The
Proxy Review Committee (“PRC”) has overall responsibility for this Policy. The PRC consists of investment professionals
who represent the different investment
disciplines and/or geographic locations of MSIM and members of the GST. Additionally, the GST administers
and implements the Policy through consultation with PRC members and MSIM investment teams, as well as monitors services
provided by the Proxy Service Providers and any other research providers used in the proxy voting process.
E.
Securities Lending
Accounts
or funds sponsored, managed, or advised by MSIM 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 is not entitled to vote
the lent shares at the company meeting.
However,
in certain circumstances a portfolio manager may seek to recall shares for the purposes of voting. In this event, the handling
of such recall requests would be on a reasonable efforts basis.
F.
Market and Operational Limitations
Voting
proxies of companies located in some jurisdictions may involve several issues that can restrict or prevent the ability to vote such
proxies or entail significant costs. These issues 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 the listing 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, MSIM will use reasonable efforts to vote clients’ non-U.S. proxies, after weighing the costs and benefits of voting such
proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy
Standard.
G.
Conflicts of Interest
MSIM
is part of Morgan Stanley, a global financial services group, and, as such, MSIM faces potential conflicts due to the role of other
Morgan Stanley divisions which may have commercial relationships with companies in which MSIM may invest. Such potential
conflicts of interest involving divisions of Morgan Stanley outside MSIM are managed through the operation of various policies
and procedures, including (among others) those creating and enforcing information barriers between MSIM and other Morgan
Stanley divisions.
MSIM
has also enacted policies and procedures to address potential conflicts resulting from its own commercial or other relationships and
to manage conflicts of interests so that proxies are voted in accordance with the Client Proxy Standard. The GST administers proxy
voting Policy implementation and is responsible for providing investment teams with voting recommendations in accordance with
this Policy and the Proxy Voting Guidelines. In the event of a material conflict of interest not addressed by such policies and procedures,
the Head of GST will convene a special committee to oversee how a proxy should be voted in accordance with the Client Proxy
Standard. Any determinations of the special committee regarding a material conflict of interest where appropriate will be reported
to the Fund Board.
MSIM
also faces potential conflicts of interest when voting proxies of its parent company Morgan Stanley. In such situations, MSIM will
seek to vote its shares in the same proportion as other holders of Morgan Stanley’s shares (“echo vote”).
H.
Proxy Voting Reporting & Recordkeeping
We
will promptly provide a copy of this Policy to any client requesting it. We 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 files an annual
Form N-PX on behalf of each MSIM affiliate
for which such filing is required, indicating how proxies were voted with respect to each MSIM affiliate
fund’s or advisor’s holdings.
The
GST will maintain requisite proxy voting books and records, including but not limited to: (1) proxy voting policies and procedures,
(2) proxy statements received on behalf of client accounts, (3) proxies voted, (4) copies of any relevant research
documents
and (5) PRC and Special Committee decisions and actions. This documentation will be maintained for such period as required
by relevant law and regulation.
MSIM
also maintains rationales for its voting decisions at shareholder meetings (including votes against management) in a searchable database
on an external website, which is updated on a rolling 12-month basis.
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.
I.
Review of Policy
The PRC
through consultation with PRC members, and in conjunction with the Legal and Compliance Division, reviews this Policy annually
to ensure that it remains consistent with clients’ best interests, regulatory requirements, investment team considerations, governance
trends and industry best practices.
MSIM
Proxy Voting Guidelines
MSIM4
(also defined as “We” within this section) will vote proxies in a prudent and diligent manner and in the best interests
of clients in accordance with its fiduciary
duties, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.
Our
proxy voting principles are rooted in the tenets of accountability, transparency and protection of shareholder rights. Stock ownership
represents an opportunity to participate in the economic rewards of a long-lived asset and shareholder rights represent an important
path to maximizing these rewards. When reviewing proposals, MSIM considers the financial materiality, including the company’s
exposure to the risk or opportunity, the management of such issues and company’s current disclosures.
We
therefore expects the companies in which it invests to adhere to effective governance practices and to protect their shareholders’
interests. In addition to these proxy
voting guidelines, MSIM may review publicly disclosed information from the issuer, research, and
other sources. Investment teams will independently make voting decisions as appropriate for their strategies.
A.
Board of Directors
The
board of directors plays a key role in overseeing management and ensuring effective execution of strategies to achieve long-term shareholder
value creation. The board has several important responsibilities including, but not limited to, selecting the executive leadership,
monitoring and incentivizing performance, succession planning, and overseeing company strategy. In order to effectively carry
out its fiduciary duties, we believe it is crucial for the board to have the right mix of skills, be sufficiently independent, and have
the proper accountability mechanisms in
place.
Board
Composition
The role
of the board of directors is to provide governance oversight and guidance to position the company for strategic success and drive
long term value creation for shareholders. We believe that diverse perspectives on the board help directors assess and manage risks
and opportunities comprehensively. Diversity on a board can include diversity of thought, background, skills, and experiences. Directors
with a mix of tenures can also be beneficial to balance new perspectives with industry experience and knowledge. We generally
expect the board to be composed of directors with adequate skill sets and diversity to provide oversight of the business, and in
line with any local market regulations. Additionally, we expect the audit committee to have directors with appropriate financial expertise
to serve on the committee.
Board
Independence
We generally
expect boards to adhere at a minimum to their prevalent market or regulatory standards on board independence. In most
markets, a majority independent board is considered best practice. When assessing independence of directors, we may consider relevant
circumstances and relationships with the company and related parties such as senior management or large shareholders.
In
our experience, the right leadership structure is critical to a strong board. When voting on matters related to board leadership, we may
consider company performance and any evidence of entrenchment or perceived risk indicating power may be overly concentrated
in a single individual. We also generally expect key board committees to be comprised of independent board members.
Board
Accountability
Director
elections are the primary mechanism for shareholders to hold board members accountable. Therefore, we generally expect directors
to be elected annually to serve on the board by majority vote. We generally expect directors who fail to receive majority shareholder
support should resign from their position unless there is sufficient disclosure concerning the reasons why they failed to get
support from a majority of the shareholders.
Boards
should take into consideration the views of their long-term shareholders to ensure alignment, and to make appropriate efforts to
communicate their plans and views broadly. To that end, we generally expect the board to engage meaningfully with long-term shareholders,
especially to address concerns on matters that may affect the long-term value creation of the company.
We
may consider withholding support for directors where we have significant concerns due to inadequate risk oversight of potentially financially
material issues5.
We may consider withholding support for Audit Committee members for failure to address accounting irregularities
or financial misstatements over consecutive years.
Directors
should dedicate adequate time to their role and consider any other existing commitments alongside their board and/or committee
memberships. We may look at meeting attendance to determine whether directors have adequate time for their responsibilities.
B.
Auditors
Investors
rely on auditors to attest to the integrity of a company’s financial statements, without which the business could not be properly
evaluated. It is essential that auditors be independent, accurate, fair in the fees charged, and not subject to conflicts of interest.
We therefore expect auditors to be independent in order to provide an objective opinion and assurance. We may consider non-audit
related business, length of service and any other relevant context when assessing auditor independence. We generally expect non-audit
related fees to be less than 50% of the total fee.
C.
Executive & Director Compensation
Properly
structured compensation is essential to attracting and retaining effective corporate management. Poorly structured compensation
plans can create perverse incentives. We expect compensations plans to be reasonable, and appropriately incentivize executives
to make risk-reward decisions that align with the business strategy and goals, and long-term shareholder value creation. Compensation
plans should also build in retention mechanisms for high performing executives. We generally expect compensation plan
payouts to align with performance and long-term value creation.
We
expect director compensation to follow market best practice and be aligned with long-term shareholder interests. For executives and
directors who gain shares through equity compensation plans, we generally expect reasonable guidelines and holding requirements.
Typically, stock options issued to executives should be priced at fair market value on the date of the grant and any re-pricing
should not incur a significant cost to shareholders.
We
generally expect employee ownership, retirement and severance plans to be designed in a manner that does not disadvantage shareholders.
These plans should not be excessively dilutive or incur a high cost. We generally expect discounted employee stock purchase
plans to be broad-based and include non-executive employees. Discount rates should be in line with market best practice and
not excessive.
For
compensation plans with performance metrics, in instances where performance milestones are not met, we may expect reasonable claw
back provisions for executive or director compensation related to these missed milestones depending on the circumstances.
We
generally evaluate each compensation plan and any related proposals, including shareholder proposals, within the context of the market
and the company. In order to make a suitable evaluation about compensation and related matters, we expect appropriate disclosures
on relevant aspects.
D.
Shareholder Rights and Defenses
Companies
should take actions and make decisions with the intent of maximizing long-term shareholder value creation. We generally support
proposals that enhance shareholder rights and vote against those that seek to undermine them. We believe that in most cases, each
common share should have one vote, and that a simple majority of voting shares should be what is required to effect change.
Shareholder
Rights Plans
Shareholder
rights plans, commonly known as poison pills, and similar take-over defenses should aim to promote long-term shareholder
value creation. When designing plans and defenses, companies should ensure that they do not suppress potential value by unduly
discouraging acquirers. We generally expect companies to seek shareholder approval or ratification of shareholder rights plans.
Unequal
Voting Rights
We generally
expect companies to adhere to the one share one vote principle. When companies have dual-class structures, they should
ensure that such structures are not misused to support instances where a few insiders may benefit at the cost of other shareholders.
Ultimately, structures should strive to create alignment between the shareholders’ economic interests and their voting power.
Voting
Requirements
We typically
prefer a majority vote standard for binding votes. We also expect management to be responsive to non-binding votes
that
have received majority support. We generally expect companies to protect minority shareholder rights as their primary goal when considering
supermajority vote requirements.
Right
to call Special Meetings
We
generally expect companies to allow large shareholders to call special meetings. A large shareholder may be defined by a reasonable
threshold or in line with prevalent market practices.
Proxy
Access
We generally
consider ownership thresholds, holding periods, the number of directors that shareholders may nominate and any restrictions
on forming a group in our evaluation of proposals related to proxy access.
E.
Capital Structure
We
expect any changes to the capital structure to be driven by legitimate business needs and not as a means of anti-takeover defense. We
generally expect companies to ensure that such changes do not disadvantage shareholders.
Companies
should provide a clear business rationale when requesting the authorization, or increase in authorization, of new shares or new
share classes. They ought to request a reasonable number of shares in relation to the purpose outlined. Companies should follow prevalent
market practices, such as offering pre-emptive rights, to ensure shareholders are not excessively diluted, unless required by specific
circumstances which are clearly stated.
We
generally consider specific company and market context when we evaluate proposals on dividend payout ratios and related matters.
F.
Corporate Transactions & Proxy Fights
We
expect companies to provide a clear economic and strategic rationale for proposed transactions. We also expect disclosure of any financial
benefits to the board or executives from any proposed transaction and will generally look for assurances that shareholder interests
were prioritized. We generally assess company-specific circumstances when evaluating voting matters related to mergers, acquisitions,
other special corporate transactions, and contested elections.
G.
Shareholder Proposals
In
assessing shareholder proposals, we will carefully consider the potential financial materiality (as appropriate to the investment strategy
of MSIM’s investment teams and relevant advisory affiliates) of the issues raised in the proposal, as well as the
company’s exposure to relevant
risks and opportunities, current disclosures on the topic, and the sector and geography in which the company operates.
We generally seek to balance concerns of reputational, operational, litigation and other risks that lie behind the proposal against
costs of implementation.
We
generally support proposals that seek to enhance useful disclosure on potentially financially material issues (as appropriate to the investment
strategy of MSIM’s investment teams and relevant advisory affiliates), including but not limited to climate, biodiversity,
human rights, supply chain, workplace
safety, human capital management and pay equity. We focus on understanding the company’s business
and commercial context and recognize that there is no one size fits all that can be applied across the board.
We
generally do not support shareholder proposals on matters best left to the board’s discretion, or addressed via legislation or
regulation, or that would be considered
unduly burdensome. We also generally do not support shareholder proposals related to matters
that we do not consider to be financially material (as appropriate to the investment strategy of MSIM’s investment
teams and relevant advisory affiliates)
for the company.
Appendix
Policy
Statement
The
Policy, with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary
investment management services and for
which an MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. 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.
−
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 below 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.
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.
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. In certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may provide an MSIM Affiliate with a proxy
voting policy. In these situations, the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy.
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. |
| 1 |
The MSIM entities
covered by this Equity Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “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, Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and
Research, Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd, Morgan Stanley
Eaton Vance CLO CM LLC and FundLogic SAS
(each an “MSIM Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates” or as “we” below.) |
| 2 |
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, “Fixed
Income Instruments”). Instead, MSIM’s Policy for Exercising Consents Related to Fixed Income Instruments applies to MSIM’s
exercise of discretionary authority or
other investment management services, to the extent MSIM has been granted authority to exercise consents for an account with respect to
any Fixed Income Instruments held therein. |
| 3 |
Not applicable
for Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP |
| 4 |
The MSIM entities
covered by this Equity Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the “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, Eaton Vance Management, Boston Research Management,
Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Ltd, Morgan Stanley Eaton
Vance CLO CM LLC and FundLogic SAS (each
an “MSIM Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates” or as “we” below) |
| 5 |
For example,
we may withhold support for a director we believe is responsible for a company’s involvement/remediation of breach of global conventions
such as UN Global Compact Principles on
Human Rights, Labor Standards, Environment and Business Malpractice. |
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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MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL LIQUIDITY FUNDS
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. Exhibits
| (a) (1) |
Declaration
of Trust of the Registrant, dated February 13, 2003, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2006. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Amendment,
dated July 25, 2005, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(2) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2008. |
| |
|
| (3) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Cash Management Class), dated April 28, 2005, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on February 28, 2008. |
| (4) |
Amendment,
dated December 13, 2010, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (redesignating the Service Class as the Institutional Select Class),
is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2011. |
| |
|
| (5) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Select Class), dated March 29, 2016, is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on March 31, 2016. |
| |
|
| (6) |
Amendment,
dated September 30, 2019, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (renaming the Money Market Portfolio as the ESG Money Market Portfolio),
is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement
on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2020. |
| |
|
| (7) |
Amendment,
dated April 23, 2020, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(7) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 25, 2021. |
| |
|
| (8) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the CastleOak Shares), dated May 3, 2021, is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on May 4, 2021. |
| |
|
| (9) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Impact Class), is incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit (a)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2022. |
| |
|
| (10) |
Amendment,
dated June 27, 2011, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (eliminating the Trustee retirement age), is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (a)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2022. |
| |
|
| (11) |
Amendment,
dated October 26, 2022, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (redesignating the Institutional Class and Institutional Select
Class of ESG Money Market Portfolio as the Wealth Class and Wealth S Class, respectively), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(a)(11) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 23, 2023.
|
| (12) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Impact Partner Class), is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (a)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2024. |
| (13) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Advisor Class), is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (a)(13) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2024.
|
| |
|
| (14) |
Amendment,
dated February 23, 2024, to the Declaration of Trust of the Registrant (redesignating the Institutional Class and Institutional Select
Class of Tax-Exempt Portfolio as the Wealth Class and Wealth S Class, respectively), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(14)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2024. |
| |
|
| (15) |
Instrument
Establishing and Designating Additional Class of Shares (with respect to the Institutional Plus Class), filed herein. |
| |
|
| (b) |
Amended
and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, dated December 2, 2021, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2022. |
| |
|
| (c) |
None. |
| |
|
| (d) |
Investment
Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., dated October 23, 2003, is incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A,
filed on February 28, 2006. |
| |
|
| (e) |
Distribution
Agreement, dated April 29, 2005, between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28,
2007. |
| |
|
| (f) |
Not applicable. |
| |
|
| (g) |
Custodian
Contract between Registrant and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated March 7, 2008, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(g) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, filed on
December 19, 2018. |
| |
|
| (h) (1) |
Administration
Agreement, dated October 23, 2003, between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (h)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
February 28, 2006. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Form
of Call Center and Transfer Agency Services Amendment, dated July 1, 2013, to the Administration Agreement, dated October 23,
2003, between the Registrant and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(2) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 17 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2014. |
| |
|
| (3) |
Transfer
Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated April 1, 2013, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 191 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust, filed
on December 19, 2018. |
| |
|
| (4) |
Amendment
to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated July 1, 2013, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (h)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley Limited Duration
U.S. Government Trust, filed on September 26, 2014. |
| (5) |
Amendment
to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated May 23, 2017, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (h)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Active Assets Prime Trust,
filed on October 27, 2017. |
| |
|
| (6) |
Addendum
to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement with Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated October 5, 2017, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit (h)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Active Assets Prime Trust,
filed on October 27, 2017. |
| |
|
| (i) (1) |
Opinion
of Clifford Chance US LLP, dated July 26, 2005, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 26, 2005. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, Massachusetts counsel, dated July 26, 2005, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(2) of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 4 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on July 26, 2005. |
| |
|
| (3) |
Opinion
and Consent of Dechert LLP, with respect to Select Class shares, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(3) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 31, 2016. |
| |
|
| (4) |
Opinion
and Consent of Dechert LLP, with respect to CastleOak Shares of ESG Money Market Portfolio and Government Portfolio, is incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit (i)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on May 4, 2021. |
| |
|
| (5) |
Opinion
and Consent of Dechert LLP, with respect to Impact Class shares of Government Portfolio and Prime Portfolio, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (i)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 41 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2022. |
| |
|
| (6) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, with respect to CastleOak Shares of Prime Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(6) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on September 30, 2022. |
| |
|
| (7) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, with respect to Select Class Shares of ESG Money Market Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(7)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 23, 2023. |
| |
|
| (8) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, with respect to Impact Partner Class Shares of Money Market Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
(i)(8) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 51 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2024. |
| |
|
| (9) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, with respect to Advisor Class Shares of Money Market Portfolio and Tax-Exempt Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (i)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 22, 2024. |
| |
|
| (10) |
Opinion
of Dechert LLP, with respect to Advisor Class Shares of Government Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio and Treasury Securities Portfolio, is
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(10) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed
on June 25, 2024. |
| (l) |
Investment
Letter of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2006. |
| |
|
| (m) (1) |
Amended
and Restated Administration Plan adopted by the Institutional Select Class, dated December 13, 2010, is incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on
February 28, 2011. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Administration
Plan adopted by the Administrative Class, dated April 25, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(2) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007. |
| |
|
| (3) |
Service
and Shareholder Administration Plan adopted by the Advisory Class, dated April 25, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(3) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007. |
| |
|
| (4) |
Administration
Plan adopted by the Investor Class, dated April 25, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(4) of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007. |
| |
|
| (5) |
Administration
Plan adopted by the Wealth S Class, dated January 23, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 45 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on January 23, 2023.
|
| (6) |
Form
of Administration Plan adopted by the Institutional Plus Class, filed herein. |
| |
|
| (7) |
Shareholder
Service Plan adopted by the Participant Class, dated April 25, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(5) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007. |
| |
|
| (8) |
Shareholder
Service Plan adopted by the Cash Management Class, dated April 25, 2006, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(6) of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28, 2007. |
| |
|
| (9) |
Amended
and Restated Plan of Distribution, dated February 6, 2006, with respect to the Participant Class, is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (m)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28,
2006. |
| |
|
| (10) |
Amended
and Restated Distribution Plan, dated June 14, 2010, with respect to the Cash Management Class, is incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit (m)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on February 28,
2011. |
| |
|
| (11) |
Shareholder
Service Plan adopted by the Select Class, dated March 31, 2016, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(9) of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 31, 2016. |
| |
|
| (12) |
Distribution
Plan, dated March 31, 2016, with respect to the Select Class, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (m)(10) of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 25 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A, filed on March 31, 2016. |
| |
|
| (n) |
Multiple
Class Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3, dated June 25, 2025, filed herein. |
| |
|
| (o) |
Not applicable. |
| (p) (1) |
Code
of Ethics for Morgan Stanley Investment Management, dated June 25, 2025, filed herein. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Code
of Ethics for Morgan Stanley Funds, dated June 13, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment
No. 17 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley ETF Trust, filed on July 17, 2024. |
| |
|
| (q) (1) |
Powers
of Attorney of Trustees, dated September 26, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 18 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Morgan Stanley ETF Trust, filed on September 30, 2024.
|
ITEM 29. Persons
Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund
None.
ITEM 30.
Indemnification
Pursuant to Section 5.3
of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust and under Section 4.8 of the Registrant’s By-Laws, the indemnification of the
Registrant’s trustees, officers, employees and agents is permitted if it is determined that they acted under the belief that their
actions were in or not opposed to the best interest of the Registrant, and, with respect to any criminal proceeding, they had reasonable
cause to believe their conduct was not unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions in
question did not render them liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of their duties
or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations and duties to the Registrant. Trustees, officers, employees and agents will be
indemnified for the expense of litigation if it is determined that they are entitled to indemnification against any liability established
in such litigation. The Registrant may also advance money for these expenses provided that they give their undertakings to repay the Registrant
unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.
Pursuant to Section 5.2
of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust and paragraph 8 of the Registrant’s Investment Management Agreement, neither the
Investment Manager nor any trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except
in the case of bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for
liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted
to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has
been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in connection with the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against the Registrant by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection
with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Act, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant hereby undertakes
that it will apply the indemnification provision of its by-laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940, so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains
in effect.
The Registrant, in conjunction
with the Investment Manager, the Registrant’s Trustees, and other registered investment management companies managed by the Investment
Manager, maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Registrant, or who is
or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against
any liability asserted against him and incurred by him or arising out of his position. However,
in no event will the Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted
to indemnify him.
ITEM 31. Business
and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
See “Fund Management”
in the Prospectus regarding the business of the investment adviser. The following information is given regarding directors and officers
of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
Set forth below is the name
and principal business address of each company for which directors or officers of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. serve as directors,
officers or employees. In addition to their position with Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., certain directors and officers of
Morgan Stanley Investment Inc. also hold various positions with, and engage in business for, Morgan Stanley or its other subsidiaries.
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.
Morgan
Stanley Services Company Inc.
1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Listed below as of December
31, 2024 are the officers and Directors of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.:
| NAME AND POSITION WITH |
|
OTHER SUBSTANTIAL BUSINESS, |
| MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. |
|
PROFESSION OR VOCATION |
|
Benjamin Huneke
Managing Director and President |
|
Managing Director of Morgan Stanley. |
| |
|
|
Stefanie V. Chang Yu Managing Director, Secretary and General
Counsel |
|
Managing Director and Secretary of other entities affiliated
with the Adviser. |
| |
|
|
Deidre Downes Managing Director and Chief Compliance Officer |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Rohit Goenka
Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Ruairi O’Healai
Managing Director and Director |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Lisa Buhain Winslow
Managing Director and Director |
|
|
| |
|
|
Anita Rios Executive Director and Treasurer |
|
|
| |
|
|
Anton Kuzmanov Managing Director and Director |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Tatiana Segal
Managing Director and Director |
|
|
| |
|
|
Jared P. Wong Executive Director and Chief Anti-Money Laundering
Officer |
|
Executive Director and Anti-Money Laundering Officer of Morgan
Stanley Distribution, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc. |
For information as to the business,
profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of additional officers of the Adviser, reference is made to the Adviser’s
current Form ADV (File No. 801-15757) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 32. Principal
Underwriters
(a) Morgan Stanley Distribution,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, is the principal underwriter of the Registrant. Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. is also the principal
underwriter of the following investment companies:
| (1) |
Morgan Stanley Europe Opportunity Fund Inc. |
| |
|
| (2) |
Morgan Stanley Income Opportunities Fund |
| |
|
| (3) |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. |
| |
|
| (4) |
Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust |
| |
|
| (5) |
Morgan Stanley Insight Fund |
| |
|
| (6) |
Morgan Stanley U.S. Government Money Market Trust |
| |
|
| (7) |
Morgan Stanley Long Duration Government Opportunities Fund |
| |
|
| (8) |
Morgan Stanley Variable Insurance Fund, Inc. |
(b) The following information
is given as of December 31, 2024 regarding directors and officers of Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. The principal address of Morgan
Stanley Distribution, Inc. is 1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036.
| NAME AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS |
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH |
|
POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH |
| ADDRESS |
|
UNDERWRITER |
|
REGISTRANT |
| Matthew J. Witkos |
|
President |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Lynn Kaseta |
|
Chief Compliance Officer |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Jared P. Wong |
|
Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Mary E. Mullin |
|
General Counsel |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Jacques Chappuis |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Jeffrey Corso |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Frank J Famiglietti |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Frederick McMullen |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Samantha Schoen |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Brian Taranto |
|
Managing Director |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Anita Rios |
|
Treasurer |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Luis Castello |
|
Assistant Treasurer |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| John Crowe |
|
Principal Financial Officer and Financial and Operations Principal |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Gary Lynn |
|
Financial and Operations Principal |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Aaron Guth |
|
Secretary |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Lawrence L. Fahey |
|
Principal Operations Officer |
|
None |
| |
|
|
|
|
| Erick Lopez |
|
Deputy Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
|
None |
(c) Not applicable.
ITEM 33.
Location of Accounts and Records
State the name and address of
each person maintaining physical possession of each account, book, or other document required to be maintained by section 31(a) [15
U.S.C. 80a-30(a)] and the rules under that section.
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Congress Street
Boston, MA 02114
(records relating to its function as custodian
and sub-administrator)
SS&C Global Investor and Distribution Solutions,
Inc.
333 W 11th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
(records relating to its functions as transfer
agent and dividend disbursing agent)
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1633 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(records relating to its function as investment
adviser and administrator)
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(records relating to its function as investment
adviser and administrator)
ITEM 34.
Management Services
Registrant is not a party to
any such management-related service contract.
ITEM 35.
Undertakings
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements
for effectiveness of this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York, on the 25th day of August, 2025.
| |
MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL LIQUIDITY FUNDS |
| |
|
|
| |
By: |
/s/ John H. Gernon |
| |
|
John H. Gernon |
| |
|
President and Principal Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
| Signatures |
|
Title |
|
Date |
| |
|
|
|
|
| (1) Principal Executive
Officer |
|
President and Principal Executive
Officer |
|
August 25, 2025 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: |
/s/
John H. Gernon |
|
|
|
|
| |
John H. Gernon |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| (2) Principal Financial
Officer |
|
Principal Financial Officer |
|
August 25, 2025 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: |
/s/
Francis J. Smith |
|
|
|
|
| |
Francis J. Smith |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| (3) Trustees |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Frank L.
Bowman* |
|
Jakki L. Haussler* |
|
|
| Frances
L. Cashman* |
|
Dr. Manuel H.
Johnson* |
|
|
| Kathleen
A. Dennis* |
|
Michael F. Klein* |
|
|
| Nancy C.
Everett* |
|
Patricia A. Maleski* |
|
|
| Richard
G. Gould III* |
|
W. Allen Reed (Chairman)* |
|
|
| Eddie A.
Grier* |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| By: |
/s/
Mark F. Parise |
|
|
|
August 25, 2025 |
| |
Mark F. Parise |
|
|
|
|
| |
Signed by Attorney-In-Fact
for each of the Trustees Named Above |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
* By Power of Attorney
EXHIBIT
INDEX
MORGAN STANLEY INSTITUTIONAL
LIQUIDITY FUNDS
0.0004
0.0022
0.0072
0.0169
0.0205
0.0033
0.0003
0.0151
0.0498
0.0514
0.0003
0.0018
0.0071
0.0169
0.0201
0.0029
0.0001
0.0147
0.0493
0.0507
0.0001
0.0014
0.0067
0.0164
0.0197
0.0033
0.0001
0.0138
0.0487
0.0507
<table style="border-spacing: 0px;">
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>High Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>12/31/23</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>1.31%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>Low Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>09/30/20</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>0.00%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div><span>The year-to-date total return as of  June 30, 2025 was 2.11%.</span></div>
<table style="border-spacing: 0px;">
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>High Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>12/31/23</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>1.30%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>Low Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>03/31/21</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>0.00%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div><span>The year-to-date total return as of  June 30, 2025 was 2.07%.</span></div>
<table style="border-spacing: 0px;">
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>High Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>12/31/23</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>1.31%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span><strong>Low Quarter</strong></span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>03/31/21</span></div>
</td>
<td colspan="1">
<div><span>0.00%</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div><span>The year-to-date total return as of  June 30, 2025 was 2.06%.</span></div>
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ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS
INSTRUMENT ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING ADDITIONAL CLASS OF SHARES (WITH RESPECT TO THE INSTITUTIONAL PLUS CLASS)
OPINION AND CONSENT OF DECHERT LLP, WITH RESPECT TO INSTITUTIONAL PLUS CLASS SHARES OF GOVERNMENT PORTFOLIO, TREASURY PORTFOLIO AND TREASURY SECURITIES PORTFOLIO
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FORM OF ADMINISTRATION PLAN ADOPTED BY THE INSTITUTIONAL PLUS CLASS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3
CODE OF ETHICS FOR MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
XBRL SCHEMA FILE
XBRL DEFINITION FILE
XBRL LABEL FILE
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