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Ticker Symbol |
|||||
Share Class |
A |
L |
I |
C |
R6 |
IR |
Morgan Stanley Insight Fund |
CPOAX |
CPOCX |
CPODX |
MSCMX |
MCRTX |
MBIRX |
Statement of Additional Information
April 30, 2025
This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) sets forth information about the Fund applicable to Class A, Class L, Class I, Class C, Class R6 and Class IR shares of the Fund. This SAI is not a prospectus, but should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s prospectuses, dated April 30, 2025 as may be supplemented from time to time. The Prospectuses (dated April 30, 2025) for Morgan Stanley Insight Fund may be obtained without charge from the Fund at its address or telephone number listed below.
Morgan Stanley
Insight Fund
1585 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
1-800-869-6397
Glossary of Selected Defined Terms
The terms defined in this glossary are frequently used in this SAI (other terms used occasionally are defined in the text of the document).
“Administrator” — Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (“MSIM”), a wholly-owned fund services subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
“Adviser” — Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., a wholly-owned investment adviser subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
“Co-Transfer Agent” — Eaton Vance Management, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
“Custodian” — State Street Bank and Trust Company.
“Distributor” — Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., a wholly-owned broker-dealer subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
“Financial Intermediaries” — Authorized third parties, such as broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries that have entered into a selling agreement with the Distributor.
“Fund” — Morgan Stanley Insight Fund, a registered open-end investment company.
“Independent Trustees” —Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)) of the Fund.
“Morgan Stanley Funds” — Registered investment companies for which the Adviser serves as the investment adviser and that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for investment and investor services.
“Transfer Agent” — SS&C Global Investor and Distribution Solutions, Inc.
“Trustees” — The Board of Trustees of the Fund.
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The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust, under a Declaration of Trust, on October 17, 1995, with the name “TCW/DW Mid-Cap Equity Trust.” On February 25, 1999, the Fund’s Trustees adopted an Amendment to the Fund’s Declaration of Trust changing the name of the Fund to Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Mid-Cap Equity Trust, effective June 28, 1999. Effective June 18, 2001, the Fund’s name was changed to Morgan Stanley Mid-Cap Equity Trust. Effective January 29, 2002, the Fund’s name was changed to Morgan Stanley Capital Opportunities Trust. Effective March 31, 2011, the Fund’s name was changed to Morgan Stanley Multi Cap Growth Trust. Effective February 11, 2019, the Fund’s name was changed to Morgan Stanley Insight Fund. Beginning December 31, 2020, the Fund changed its fiscal year end to December 31. Information relating to the Fund’s most recent fiscal year end is provided as of December 31, 2024, unless otherwise noted.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND AND ITS INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
Classification
The Fund is an open-end, diversified management investment company whose investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation.
MSIM is the Adviser to the Fund.
Investment Strategies and Risks
The following table summarizes the permissible investments for the Fund. The table should be used in conjunction with the investment summary for the Fund contained in the Prospectus in order to provide a complete description of the Fund’s investment policies.
|
Insight Fund |
Bitcoin Exposure |
X |
—Bitcoin Cash Settled Futures |
X |
—Bitcoin ETPs |
X |
Borrowing |
X |
Cash and Cash Equivalents |
X |
Commercial Paper |
X |
Common Stocks |
X |
Contracts for Difference |
X |
Convertible Securities |
X |
Currency Forwards |
X |
Depositary Receipts |
X |
Derivatives |
X |
Emerging Market Securities |
X |
Equity Securities |
X |
Fixed-Income Securities |
X |
Foreign Securities |
X |
Futures Contracts |
X |
High Yield Securities |
X |
Illiquid Investments |
X |
Investment Company Securities |
X |
Investment Grade Securities |
X |
Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests |
X |
Loans of Portfolio Securities |
X |
Money Market Instruments |
X |
Non-Publicly Traded Securities, Private Placements and Restricted Securities |
X |
Options |
X |
Preferred Stocks |
X |
Real Estate Investment Trusts and Foreign Real Estate Companies |
X |
Repurchase Agreements |
X |
Rights |
X |
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies |
X |
2
|
Insight Fund |
Special Risks Related to the Cayman Islands Subsidiary |
X |
Structured Investments |
X |
Swaps |
X |
Temporary Investments |
X |
Warrants |
X |
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities, TBAs and Forward Commitments |
X |
When, As and If Issued Securities |
X |
Zero Coupons, Pay-In-Kind Securities or Deferred Payment Securities |
X |
Additional Risks |
X |
ESG Investment Risk |
|
Market and Geopolitical Risk |
|
Regulatory and Legal Risk |
|
Special Risks Related to Cyber Security |
|
The following discussion of the Fund’s investment strategies and risks should be read with the sections of the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Principal Investment Strategies,” “Principal Risks” and “Additional Information About Fund Investment Strategies and Related Risks.”
Equity Securities. Equity securities generally represent an ownership interest in an issuer, or may be convertible into or represent a right to acquire an ownership interest in an issuer. While there are many types of equity securities, prices of all equity securities will fluctuate due to various factors, including changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. The volatility of the stock market contributes to the volatility in the price of equity securities, and a decrease in general stock market prices could cause a decline in the price of equity securities and therefore a reduction in the value of the Fund’s investments in equity securities. Economic, political and other events may affect the prices of broad equity markets, including real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment. For example, changes in inflation or consumer demand may affect the prices of equity securities generally in the United States. Similar events also may affect the prices of particular equity securities. For example, news about the success or failure of a new product may affect the price of a particular issuer’s equity securities. In addition, holders of an issuer’s common stock may be subject to greater risks than holders of its preferred stock and debt securities because common stockholders’ claims are subordinated to those of holders of preferred stocks and debt securities upon the bankruptcy of an issuer.
Common Stocks. Common stocks are equity securities representing an ownership interest in a corporation, entitling the stockholder to voting rights and receipt of dividends paid based on proportionate ownership.
Preferred Stocks. Preferred stocks are securities that evidence ownership in a corporation and pay a fixed or variable stream of dividends. Preferred stocks have a preference over common stocks in the event of the liquidation of an issuer and usually do not carry voting rights. Preferred stocks have many of the characteristics of both equity securities and fixed-income securities.
Money Market Instruments. Money market instruments are high quality short-term fixed-income securities. Money market instruments may include obligations of governments, government agencies, banks, corporations and special purpose entities and repurchase agreements relating to these obligations. Certain money market instruments may be denominated in a foreign currency.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. For various portfolio management purposes (including during normal market conditions), the Fund may maintain assets in cash or allocate assets to cash equivalents. Holding cash or cash equivalents, rather than securities or other instruments in which the Fund may invest, may cause the Fund to risk losing opportunities to participate in market appreciation and may cause the Fund to experience potentially lower returns. In addition, cash equivalents may not be guaranteed as to principal or interest, and the Fund could lose money through these investments.
Cash equivalents are short-term fixed-income securities comprising:
■ | Time deposits, certificates of deposit (including marketable variable rate certificates of deposit) and bankers’ acceptances issued by a commercial bank or savings and loan association. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Certificates of deposit are negotiable short-term obligations issued by commercial banks or savings and loan associations against funds deposited in the issuing institution. Variable rate certificates of deposit are certificates of deposit on which the interest rate is periodically adjusted prior to their stated maturity based upon a specified market rate. A bankers’ acceptance is a time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower, usually in connection with an international commercial transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods); |
■ | Obligations of U.S. banks, foreign branches of U.S. banks (Eurodollars) and U.S. branches of foreign banks (Yankee dollars). |
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Eurodollar and Yankee dollar investments will involve some of the same risks of investing in international securities that are discussed in various foreign investing sections of this SAI; |
■ | Any security issued by a commercial bank if (i) the bank has total assets of at least $1 billion, or the equivalent in other currencies or, in the case of domestic banks which do not have total assets of at least $1 billion, the aggregate investment made in any one such bank is limited to $250,000 principal amount per certificate and the principal amount of such investment is insured in full by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), (ii) in the case of U.S. banks, it is a member of the FDIC and (iii) in the case of foreign branches of U.S. banks, the security is deemed by the Adviser to be of an investment quality comparable with other debt securities which the Fund may purchase; |
■ | Commercial paper rated at time of purchase by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (“NRSROs”) in one of their two highest categories (e.g., A-l or A-2 by S&P Global Ratings Group, a division of S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”), Prime 1 or Prime 2 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or F1 or F2 by Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”)) or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Adviser; |
■ | Short-term corporate obligations rated high-grade at the time of purchase by an NRSRO (e.g., A or better by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch); |
■ | U.S. government obligations, including bills, notes, bonds and other debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. These are direct obligations of the U.S. Government and differ mainly in interest rates, maturities and dates of issue; |
■ | Government agency securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government sponsored instrumentalities and Federal agencies. These include securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Land Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Farm Credit Banks, Federal Intermediate Credit Bank, Fannie Mae, Federal Financing Bank, the TVA and others; and |
■ | Repurchase agreements collateralized by the securities listed above. |
Repurchase Agreements. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the 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, the Fund receives securities that have a market value at least equal to the purchase price (including accrued interest) of the repurchase agreement, and this value is maintained during the term of the agreement. These securities are held by the Custodian or an approved third-party for the benefit of the Fund until repurchased. Repurchase agreements permit the 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, the Fund might incur a loss. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, the Fund’s realization upon the collateral may be delayed.
While repurchase agreements involve certain risks not associated with direct investments in debt securities, the 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 Fund will seek to liquidate such collateral. However, the exercising of the 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. 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 the Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions may require the Fund to promptly dispose of such collateral if the seller or guarantor becomes insolvent.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements on a forward commitment basis. To the extent the Fund does so and the counterparty to the trade fails to effectuate the trade at the scheduled time, the Fund may be forced to deploy its capital in a repurchase agreement with a less favorable rate of return than it otherwise may have achieved or may be unable to enter into a repurchase agreement at all at the desired time.
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 the 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. The Fund will
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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.
Temporary Investments. When the Adviser believes that changes in market, economic, political or other conditions make it advisable, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and other fixed-income securities for temporary defensive purposes that may be inconsistent with the Fund’s investment strategies. These temporary investments may consist of obligations of the U.S. or foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities; money market instruments; and instruments issued by international development agencies.
Real Estate Investment Trusts and Foreign Real Estate Companies. The Fund may invest in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and/ or foreign real estate companies, which are similar to entities organized and operated as REITs in the United States. REITs and foreign real estate companies pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in real estate properties or real estate-related loans. REITs and foreign real estate companies generally derive their income from rents on the underlying properties or interest on the underlying loans, and their value is impacted by changes in the value of the underlying property or changes in interest rates affecting the underlying loans owned by the REITs and/or foreign real estate companies. REITs and foreign real estate companies are more susceptible to risks associated with the ownership of real estate and the real estate industry in general. These risks can include fluctuations in the value of underlying properties; defaults by borrowers or tenants; market saturation; changes in general and local economic conditions; decreases in market rates for rents; increases in competition, property taxes, capital expenditures or operating expenses; reduced demand for commercial and office space and other economic, political or regulatory occurrences affecting the real estate industry and markets. In addition, REITs and foreign real estate companies depend upon specialized management skills, may not be diversified (which may increase the volatility of a REIT’s and/or foreign real estate company’s value), may have less trading volume, may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities market, are dependent on heavy cash flows, subject to risks associated with default by borrowers or self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to maintain their exemptions from the 1940 Act. Foreign real estate companies may be subject to laws, rules and regulations governing those entities and their failure to comply with those laws, rules and regulations could negatively impact the performance of those entities. Operating REITs and foreign real estate companies requires specialized management skills and the Fund indirectly bears REIT and foreign real estate company management expenses along with the direct expenses of the Fund. REITs are generally not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). REITs are subject to the risk of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through income under the Code.
Sector Risk. The Fund may, from time to time, invest more heavily in companies in a particular economic sector or sectors. Economic or regulatory changes adversely affecting such sectors may have more of an impact on the Fund’s performance than if the Fund held a broader range of investments.
Loans of Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers, banks and other institutional investors. By lending its portfolio securities, the Fund attempts to increase its net investment income through the receipt of interest on the cash collateral with respect to the loan or fees received from the borrower in connection with the loan. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. The Fund employs an agent to implement the securities lending program and the agent receives a fee from the Fund for its services. The Fund will not lend more than 33⅓% of the value of its total assets.
The Fund may lend its portfolio securities so long as the terms, structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations or interpretations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) thereunder, which currently require that (i) the borrower pledge and maintain with the Fund collateral consisting of liquid, unencumbered assets having a value not less than 100% of the value of the securities loaned; (ii) the borrower adds to such collateral whenever the price of the securities loaned rises (i.e., the borrower “marks-to-market” on a daily basis); (iii) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time; and (iv) the Fund receives a reasonable return on the loan (which may include the Fund investing any cash collateral in interest bearing short-term investments), any distributions on the loaned securities and any increase in their market value. In addition, voting rights may pass with the loaned securities, but the Fund will retain the right to call any security in anticipation of a vote that the Adviser deems material to the security on loan.
Loans of securities involve a risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities or may fail to maintain the proper amount of collateral, which may result in a loss of money by the Fund. There may be risks of delay and costs involved in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. However, loans will be made only to borrowers deemed by the Adviser to be creditworthy and when, in the judgment of the Adviser, the income that can be earned from such securities loans justifies the attendant risk. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of the broker, dealer, bank or institution, will be considered in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to review by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Fund also bears the risk that the reinvestment of collateral will result in a principal loss. Finally, there is the risk that the price of the securities will increase while they are on loan and the collateral will not be adequate to cover their value.
5
Borrowing. The Fund has an operating policy, which may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, not to borrow except from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% (taken at the lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not including the amount borrowed). Should the Board of Trustees remove this operating policy, the Fund would be permitted to borrow money from banks in accordance with the 1940 Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. Currently, the 1940 Act permits a fund to borrow money from banks in an amount up to 331/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) less its liabilities not represented by senior securities. The Fund may also borrow an additional 5% of its total assets without regard to the foregoing limitation for temporary purposes such as clearance of portfolio transactions. The Fund will only borrow when the Adviser believes that such borrowings will benefit the Fund after taking into account considerations such as interest income and possible gains or losses upon liquidation. The Fund will maintain asset coverage in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Borrowing by the Fund creates an opportunity for increased net income but, at the same time, creates special risks. For example, leveraging may exaggerate changes in and increase the volatility of the NAV of the Fund. This is because leverage tends to exaggerate the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The use of leverage also may cause the 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.
In general, the Fund may not issue any class of senior security, except that the Fund may (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all Fund borrowings and in the event such asset coverage falls below 300% the Fund will within three days or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%, and (ii) engage in trading practices that could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including but not limited to options, futures, forward contracts and reverse repurchase agreements in accordance with applicable SEC requirements. The borrowings subject to these limits include borrowings through reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions unless the Fund has elected to treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions under applicable SEC requirements.
When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities, TBAs and Forward Commitments. The Fund may purchase or sell securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis or may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. When these transactions are negotiated, the price is fixed at the time of the commitment, but delivery and payment can take place a month or more after the date of commitment. The Fund may sell the securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable. The securities so purchased or sold are subject to market fluctuation and no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. In addition, the Fund may invest in to-be-announced pass-through mortgage securities, which settle on a delayed delivery basis (“TBAs”). In a TBA transaction, the buyer and seller agree upon general trade parameters such as agency, settlement date, par amount, and price at the time the contract is entered into but the MBS are delivered in the future, generally 30 days later. Accordingly, the Fund’s investments in TBAs are subject to risks such as failure of the counterparty to perform its obligation to deliver the security, the characteristics of a security delivered to the Fund may be less favorable than expected and the security the Fund buys will lose value prior to its delivery.
At the time the Fund makes the commitment to purchase or sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis, it will record the transaction and thereafter reflect the value, each day, of such security purchased, or if a sale, the proceeds to be received, in determining its NAV. At the time of delivery of the securities, their value may be more or less than the purchase or sale price. An increase in the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to the purchase of securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis may increase the volatility of its NAV.
When, As and If Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis, under which the issuance of the security depends upon the occurrence of a subsequent event, such as approval of a merger, corporate reorganization or debt restructuring. The commitment for the purchase of any such security will not be recognized in the portfolio of the Fund until the Adviser determines that issuance of the security is probable. At that time, the Fund will record the transaction and, in determining its NAV, will reflect the value of the security daily.
An increase in the percentage of the Fund’s assets committed to the purchase of securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis may increase the volatility of its NAV. The Fund may also sell securities on a “when, as and if issued” basis provided that the issuance of the security will result automatically from the exchange or conversion of a security owned by the Fund at the time of sale.
Non-Publicly Traded Securities, Private Placements and Restricted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities that are neither listed on a stock exchange nor traded OTC, including privately placed and restricted securities, which are generally subject to resale or transfer restrictions or prohibitions as a matter of contract and/or under applicable U.S. federal securities laws, including Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such unlisted securities may involve a higher degree of business and financial risk that can result in substantial losses to the Fund. As a result of the absence of a public trading market for these securities, they may be less liquid than publicly traded securities. Private placements and restricted securities may be classified as illiquid and subject to the limitations discussed under “Illiquid Investments.” Although these securities may be resold in privately negotiated transactions or pursuant to an exemption from registration under applicable securities laws, the prices realized from these sales could be less than
6
those originally paid by the Fund or less than what may be considered the fair value of such securities. The amount of discount from the prevailing market price may vary depending on the type of security, the character of the issuer, the party who will bear the expenses of registering the restricted security and prevailing supply and demand conditions. 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 of the Fund to arrive at a fair value for certain securities at certain times and could make it difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities.
If restricted securities or privately placed securities are required to be registered under the securities laws of one or more jurisdictions before being sold, the 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 the 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 and restricted securities 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 Fund may purchase equity securities, in a private placement, that are issued by issuers who have outstanding, publicly-traded equity securities of the same class (“private investments in public equity” or “PIPEs”). PIPEs involve the direct placement of equity securities to a purchaser such as the Fund. Shares in PIPEs generally are not registered with the SEC until after a certain time period from the date the private sale is completed. This restricted period can last many months. Until the public registration process is completed, PIPEs are restricted as to resale and the Fund cannot freely trade the securities. Generally, such restrictions cause the PIPEs to be illiquid during this time. PIPEs may contain provisions that the issuer will pay specified financial penalties to the holder if the issuer does not publicly register the restricted equity securities within a specified period of time, but there is no assurance that the restricted equity securities will be publicly registered, or that the registration will remain in effect.
Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests. A limited partnership interest entitles the Fund to participate in the investment return of the partnership’s assets as defined by the agreement among the partners. As a limited partner, the Fund generally is not permitted to participate in the management of the partnership. However, unlike a general partner whose liability is not limited, a limited partner’s liability generally is limited to the amount of its commitment to the partnership. The Fund may invest in limited liability company interests to the same extent it invests in limited partnership interests. Limited liability company interests have similar characteristics as limited partnership interests.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, right, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible fixed-income securities in such capital structure. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities. Up to 5% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in convertible securities and other fixed-income securities that are below investment grade. The prices of such securities are likely to be more sensitive to adverse economic changes than higher-rated securities, resulting in increased volatility of market prices of these securities during periods of economic uncertainty, or adverse individual corporate developments. In addition, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, lower rated issuers may experience financial stress.
Foreign Securities. Investing in foreign securities (including depositary receipts)involves certain special risks which are not typically associated with investments in the securities of U.S. issuers, that can increase the chances that the Fund will lose money. Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform corporate governance, accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and may have policies that are not comparable to those of domestic issuers. As a result, there may be less information available about foreign issuers than about domestic issuers. Securities of some foreign issuers may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. There is generally less stringent investor protections and disclosure standards, and less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers and listed issuers than in the United States. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political and social instability, or diplomatic developments (including regional and global conflict) which could affect U.S. investments in those countries. The costs of investing
7
in foreign countries frequently are higher than the costs of investing in the United States. Although the Adviser endeavors to achieve the most favorable execution costs in portfolio transactions, fixed commissions on many foreign stock exchanges are generally higher than negotiated commissions on U.S. exchanges.
Securities registration, custody, and settlement of foreign securities may be subject to delays and legal and administrative uncertainties. If the Fund cannot settle or is delayed in settling a purchase of securities, it may miss attractive investment opportunities and certain of its assets may be uninvested with no return earned thereon for some period. In some non-U.S. securities markets, custody arrangements for securities provide significantly less protection than custody arrangements in U.S. securities markets, and prevailing custody and trade settlement practices (e.g., the requirement to pay for securities prior to receipt) expose the Fund to credit and other risks it does not have in the United States. The cost of investing in foreign securities, including brokerage commissions and custodial expenses, can be higher than the cost of investing in domestic securities. Foreign market trading hours, clearance and settlement procedures, and holiday schedules may also limit the Fund’s ability to buy and sell securities.
Pursuant to regulatory changes effective in May 2024, many U.S., Canadian, and Mexican securities transitioned to a “T+1” (trade date plus one day) settlement cycle, while securities trading in most other markets typically have longer settlement cycles. As a result, there can be potential operational, settlement and other risks for the Fund associated with differences in settlement cycles between markets. In addition, investments in certain foreign markets that have historically been considered stable may become more volatile and subject to increased risk due to ongoing developments and changing conditions in such markets. Moreover, the growing interconnectivity of global economies and financial markets has increased the probability that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. For instance, if one or more countries leave the European Union (“EU”) or the EU dissolves, the world’s securities markets likely will be significantly disrupted.
Investments in foreign markets may also be adversely affected by governmental actions such as the imposition of capital controls, nationalization of companies or industries, expropriation of assets or the imposition of punitive taxes. The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investing in their capital markets or in certain sectors or industries. In addition, a foreign government may limit or cause delay in the convertibility or repatriation of its currency which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of investments denominated in that currency.
On February 1, 2022, the European Union adopted a settlement discipline regime pursuant to Central Securities Depositories Regulation (“CSDR”) that introduced new measures for the authorization and supervision of European Union Central Security Depositories. CSDR aims to reduce the number of settlement fails that occur in European Economic Area (“EEA”) central securities depositories (“CSDs”) and address settlement fails where they occur. Under the regime, among other things, EEA CSDs are required to impose cash penalties on participants that cause settlement fails and distribute these to receiving participants. The CSDR requirements apply to transactions in transferable securities (e.g., stocks and bonds), money market instruments, shares of funds and emission allowances that will be settled through an EEA CSD and are admitted to trading or traded on an EEA trading venue or cleared by an EEA central counterparty. The Fund may bear the net effect of any penalties and credits incurred under the CSDR in respect of its trading, which could increase the Fund’s expenses and adversely affect Fund performance. The Adviser may seek reimbursement from the relevant broker, agent, or subadviser (as applicable), as determined by the Adviser from time to time, although there can be no assurance that the Adviser will seek such reimbursement or that the Fund will recover or be reimbursed for any amounts at issue.
Investments in securities of foreign issuers may be denominated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, the value of the Fund’s assets, as measured in U.S. dollars, may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates and in exchange control regulations. The Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies.
The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments (including regional and global conflicts), wars, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. International trade barriers or economic sanctions against foreign countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals, may adversely affect the Fund’s foreign holdings or exposures. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in foreign countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Any of these actions could severely affect security prices, impair the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell foreign securities or transfer the Fund’s assets back into the U.S., or otherwise adversely affect the Fund’s operations. Certain foreign investments may become less liquid and decline in value in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions, or become illiquid after purchase by the Fund, particularly during periods of market turmoil. Certain foreign investments may become illiquid when, for instance, there are few, if any, interested buyers and sellers or when dealers are unwilling to make a market for certain securities. When the Fund holds illiquid investments, its portfolio may be harder to value.
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The U.S. and governments of other countries may renegotiate some or all of its global trade relationships and may impose or threaten to impose significant import tariffs. The imposition of tariffs, trade restrictions, currency restrictions or similar actions (or retaliatory measures taken in response to such actions) could lead to price volatility and overall declines in U.S. and global investment markets. In addition, the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”) could cause securities of a foreign (non-U.S.) company, including ADRs, to be delisted from U.S. stock exchanges if the company does not allow the U.S. government to oversee the auditing of its financial information. Although the requirements of the HFCAA apply to securities of all foreign (non-U.S.) issuers, the SEC has thus far limited its enforcement efforts to securities of Chinese companies. If securities are delisted, the Fund’s ability to transact in such securities will be impaired, and the liquidity and market price of the securities may decline. The Fund may also need to seek other markets in which to transact in such securities, which could increase the Fund’s costs.
Certain foreign governments may levy withholding or other taxes on dividend and interest income. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes may be recoverable, the non-recovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income received from investments in such countries. The Fund’s net asset value may decrease if the Fund’s claim to recover foreign withholding taxes is not successful. See “Taxes - Special Tax Considerations Relating to Foreign Investments”, below.
Unless otherwise noted in the Fund’s Prospectus, the Adviser may consider an issuer to be from a particular country (including the United States) or geographic region if: (i) its principal securities trading market is in that country or geographic region; (ii) alone or on a consolidated basis it derives 50% or more of its annual revenue or profits from goods produced, sales made or services performed in that country or geographic region or has at least 50% of its assets, core business operations and/or employees in that country or geographic region; or (iii) it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, that country or geographic region. By applying these tests, it is possible that a particular issuer could be deemed to be from more than one country or geographic region.
Foreign securities may include, without limitation, foreign equity securities, which are equity securities of a non-U.S. issuer, foreign government fixed-income securities, which are fixed-income securities issued by a government other than the U.S. Government or government-related issuer in a country other than the United States, and foreign corporate fixed-income securities, which are fixed-income securities issued by an issuer in a country other than the United States. The Fund needs a license to invest directly in securities traded in many non-U.S. securities markets. These licenses are often subject to limitations, including maximum investment amounts. Once a license is obtained, the Fund’s ability to continue to invest directly is subject to the risk that the license may be terminated or suspended. In some circumstances, the receipt of a non-U.S. license by one of the Adviser’s clients may prevent the Fund from obtaining a similar license. In addition, certain activities could cause the suspension or revocation of the Fund’s license.
Investments in foreign companies and countries are subject to economic sanction and trade laws in the United States and other jurisdictions. These laws and related governmental actions may, from time to time, prohibit the Fund from investing in certain countries and in certain companies. Investments in certain countries and companies may be, and have in the past been, restricted as a result of the imposition of economic sanctions. In addition, economic sanction laws in the United States and other jurisdictions may prohibit the Fund from transacting with a particular country or countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals. These types of sanctions may significantly restrict or completely prohibit investment activities in certain jurisdictions.
Economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities (in the sanctioned country and other markets), and thus may make the Fund’s investments in such securities less liquid or more difficult to value. In addition, as a result of economic sanctions, the Fund may be forced to sell or otherwise dispose of investments at inopportune times or prices, which could result in losses to the Fund and increased transaction costs. These conditions may be in place for a substantial period of time and enacted with limited advance notice to the Fund.
In addition, such economic sanctions or other government restrictions could impair the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective or invest in accordance with its investment strategy because the Fund may, for example, be prohibited from investing in securities issued by companies subject to such restrictions and the Fund could be required to freeze or divest its existing investments that the Adviser would otherwise consider to be attractive.
The risks posed by economic sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country may be heightened to the extent the Fund invests significantly in the affected country or region or in issuers from the affected country that depend on global markets.
Emerging Market Securities. The Fund may invest in emerging market securities. An emerging market security is a security issued by an emerging market foreign government or private issuer. An emerging market foreign government or private issuer has one or more of the following characteristics: (i) its principal securities trading market is in an emerging market or developing country; (ii)alone or on a consolidated basis it derives 50% or more of its annual revenue or profits from goods produced, sales made or services performed in an emerging market or developing country or has at least 50% of its assets, core business operations and/or employees in an emerging market or developing country; or (iii) it is organized under the laws of, or has a principal office in, an emerging market or developing country. Based on these criteria it is possible for a security to be considered issued by an issuer in more than one country. Therefore, it is possible for the securities of any issuer that has one or more of these characteristics in
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connection with any emerging market or developing country to be considered an emerging market security when held in one Fund, but not considered an emerging market security when held in another fund if it has one or more of these characteristics in connection with a developed country.
Emerging market describes any country that is generally considered to be an emerging or developing country by major organizations in the international financial community or by the Fund’s benchmark index.
The economies of individual emerging market or developing countries may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation or deflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Further, the economies of developing countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures. These economies also have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.
Prior governmental approval for foreign investments may be required under certain circumstances in some emerging market or developing countries, and the extent of foreign investment in certain fixed-income securities and domestic companies may be subject to limitation in other emerging market or developing countries. Foreign ownership limitations also may be imposed by the charters of individual companies in emerging market or developing countries to prevent, among other concerns, violation of foreign investment limitations. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some emerging countries, or may be the subject of restrictions imposed by such countries. The Fund could be adversely affected by restrictions on and delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental registration or approval for such repatriation. Any investment subject to such repatriation controls will be considered illiquid if it appears reasonably likely that this process will take more than seven days.
Certain emerging market countries may be subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping and therefore, material information related to an investment may not be available or reliable. In addition, the Fund is limited in its ability to exercise its legal rights or enforce a counterparty’s legal obligations in certain jurisdictions outside of the United States, in particular, in emerging markets countries.
Investment in emerging market or developing countries may entail purchasing securities issued by or on behalf of entities that are insolvent, bankrupt, in default or otherwise engaged in an attempt to reorganize or reschedule their obligations and in entities that have little or no proven credit rating or credit history. In any such case, the issuer’s poor or deteriorating financial condition may increase the likelihood that the Fund will experience losses or diminution in available gains due to bankruptcy, insolvency or fraud.
Emerging market or developing countries also pose the risk of nationalization, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, confiscation of assets and property, political changes, government regulation, increased potential for market manipulation, social instability or diplomatic developments (including war) that could adversely affect the economies of such countries or the value of the Fund’s investments in those countries, or result in a loss of such investments. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain and enforce a judgment in a court outside the United States.
The Fund may also be exposed to an extra degree of custodial and/or market risk, especially where the securities purchased are not traded on an official exchange or where ownership records regarding the securities are maintained by an unregulated entity (or even the issuer itself). For example, custodial and/or settlement systems in emerging and frontier market countries may be less developed than in developed countries and are subject to potential adverse market or government actions or legal or other restrictions or limitations restricting the Fund’s ability to recover assets held by foreign custodians (or sub-custodians) or otherwise adversely affecting the Fund’s investments in such countries.
Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts represent an ownership interest in securities of foreign companies (an “underlying issuer”) that are deposited with a depositary. Depositary receipts are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities. Depositary receipts include American depositary receipts (“ADRs”), global depositary receipts (“GDRs”) and other types of depositary receipts (which, together with ADRs and GDRs, are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Depositary Receipts”). ADRs are dollar-denominated Depositary Receipts typically issued by a U.S. financial institution and evidence an ownership interest in a security or pool of securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs are listed and traded in the United States. ADRs also include American depositary shares. GDRs and other types of Depositary Receipts are typically issued by foreign banks or trust companies, although they also may be issued by U.S. financial institutions, and evidence ownership interests in a security or pool of securities issued by either a foreign or a U.S. corporation. Generally, Depositary Receipts in registered form are designed for use in the U.S. securities market and Depositary Receipts in bearer form are designed for use in securities markets outside the United States.
Depositary Receipts may be “sponsored” or “unsponsored.” Sponsored Depositary Receipts are established jointly by a depositary and the underlying issuer, whereas unsponsored Depositary Receipts may be established by a depositary without participation by the underlying issuer. Holders of unsponsored Depositary Receipts generally bear all the costs associated with establishing unsponsored Depositary Receipts. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored Depositary Receipts are not obligated to
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disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the Depositary Receipts. For purposes of the Fund’s investment policies, the Fund’s investments in Depositary Receipts will be deemed to be an investment in the underlying securities, except that ADRs may be deemed to be issued by a U.S. issuer.
Derivatives. The Fund may, but is not required to, use various derivatives and other similar instruments as described below. Derivatives may be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to seek to earn income. Any or all of the investment techniques described herein may be used at any time and there is no particular strategy that dictates the use of one technique rather than another, as the use of any derivative by the Fund is a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. The Fund complies with applicable regulatory requirements when using derivatives. Although the Adviser seeks to use derivatives to further the Fund’s investment objective, no assurance can be given that the use of derivatives will achieve this result.
General Risks of Derivatives. Derivatives utilized by the Fund may involve the purchase and sale of derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument the value of which depends upon (or derives from) the value of another asset, security, interest rate, index or financial instrument. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying instruments, including equity and debt securities, indices, interest rates, currencies and other assets. Certain derivative instruments that the Fund may use and the risks of those instruments are described in further detail below. The Fund may in the future also utilize derivatives techniques, instruments and strategies that may be newly developed or permitted as a result of regulatory changes, consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies. Such newly developed techniques, instruments and strategies may involve risks different than or in addition to those described herein. No assurance can be given that any derivatives strategy employed by the Fund will be successful.
The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments underlying such derivatives. Derivatives are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from other portfolio investments. The use of derivative instruments requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself. Certain risk factors generally applicable to derivative transactions are described below.
■ | Derivatives are subject to the risk that the market value of the derivative itself or the market value of underlying instruments will change in a way adverse to the Fund’s interests. The Fund bears the risk that the Adviser may incorrectly forecast future market trends and other financial or economic factors or the value of the underlying security, index, interest rate or currency when establishing a derivatives position for the Fund. |
■ | Derivatives may be subject to pricing risk, which exists when a derivative becomes extraordinarily expensive (or inexpensive) relative to historical prices or corresponding instruments. Under such market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. |
■ | Many derivatives are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the Fund. Many derivatives may also involve operational and legal risks. |
■ | Using derivatives as a hedge against a portfolio investment subjects the Fund to the risk that the derivative will have imperfect correlation with the portfolio investment, which could result in the Fund incurring substantial losses. This correlation risk may be greater in the case of derivatives based on an index or other basket of securities, as the portfolio securities being hedged may not duplicate the components of the underlying index or the basket may not be of exactly the same type of obligation as those underlying the derivative. The use of derivatives for “cross hedging” purposes (using a derivative based on one instrument as a hedge on a different instrument) may also involve greater correlation risks. |
■ | While using derivatives for hedging purposes can reduce the Fund’s risk of loss, it may also limit the Fund’s opportunity for gains or result in losses by offsetting or limiting the Fund’s ability to participate in favorable price movements in portfolio investments. |
■ | Derivatives transactions for non-hedging purposes involve greater risks and may result in losses which would not be offset by increases in the value of portfolio securities or declines in the cost of securities to be acquired. In the event that the Fund enters into a derivatives transaction as an alternative to purchasing or selling the underlying instrument or in order to obtain desired exposure to an index or market, the Fund will be exposed to the same risks as are incurred in purchasing or selling the underlying instruments directly as well as the additional risks associated with derivatives transactions. |
■ | The use of certain derivatives transactions, including OTC derivatives, involves the risk of loss resulting from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure by the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Fund may have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. |
■ | Liquidity risk exists when a particular derivative is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, the Fund may be unable to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. |
■ | While some derivatives are cleared through a regulated, central clearinghouse, many derivatives transactions are not entered into or traded on exchanges or in markets regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) or the SEC. Instead, in some cases, certain types of bilateral OTC derivatives are entered into directly by the Fund and a counterparty and |
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may be traded only through financial institutions acting as market makers. OTC derivatives transactions can only be entered into with a willing counterparty that is approved by the Adviser in accordance with guidelines established by the Board. Where no such counterparty is available, the Fund will be unable to enter into a desired OTC transaction. There also may be greater risk that no liquid secondary market in the trading of OTC derivatives will exist, in which case the Fund may be required to hold such instruments until exercise, expiration or maturity. Many of the protections afforded to participants in the cleared derivatives markets are not available to participants in bilateral OTC derivatives transactions. Bilateral OTC derivatives transactions are not subject to the guarantee of a clearinghouse and, as a result, the Fund would bear greater risk of default by the counterparties to such transactions. |
■ | The Fund may be required to make physical delivery of portfolio securities underlying a derivative in order to close out or to meet margin and payment requirements and a derivatives position or to sell portfolio securities at a time or price at which it may be disadvantageous to do so in order to obtain cash to close out or to maintain a derivatives position. |
■ | As a result of the structure of certain derivatives, adverse changes in, among other things, interest rates, volatility or the value of the underlying instrument can result in losses substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. |
■ | Certain derivatives may be classified as illiquid and therefore subject to the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid investments. |
■ | Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States may not be conducted in the same manner as those entered into on U.S. exchanges, and may be subject to different margin, exercise, settlement or expiration procedures. Brokerage commissions, clearing costs and other transaction costs may be higher on foreign exchanges. Many of the risks of OTC derivatives transactions are also applicable to derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States. Derivatives transactions conducted outside the United States are subject to the risk of governmental action affecting the trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities, currencies and other instruments. The value of such positions could be adversely affected by foreign political and economic factors; lesser availability of data on which to make trading decisions; delays on the Fund’s ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets; and less liquidity than U.S. markets. |
■ | Currency derivatives are subject to additional risks. Currency derivatives transactions may be negatively affected by government exchange controls, blockages and manipulation. Currency exchange rates may be influenced by factors extrinsic to a country’s economy. There is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to underlying foreign currencies. As a result, the available information on which trading in currency derivatives will be based may not be as complete as comparable data for other transactions. Events could occur in the foreign currency market which will not be reflected in currency derivatives until the following day, making it more difficult for the Fund to respond to such events in a timely manner. |
Options. An option is a contract that gives the holder of the option the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call option) or sell to (in the case of a put option) the buyer or seller, as applicable, of the option (the “option writer”) the underlying instrument at a specified fixed price (the “exercise price”) on or prior to a specified date for American options or only at expiration for European options (the “expiration date”). The buyer of the option pays to the option writer the option premium, which is the purchase price of the option.
Exchange-traded options are issued by a regulated intermediary such as the Options Clearing Corporation (“OCC”), which guarantees the performance of the obligations of the parties to such options. OTC options are purchased from or sold to counterparties through direct bilateral agreements between the Fund and its counterparties. Certain options, such as options on individual securities, are settled through physical delivery of the underlying security, whereas other options, such as index options, may be settled in cash in an amount based on the difference between the value of the underlying instrument and the strike price, which is then multiplied by a specified multiplier.
Writing Options. The Fund may write call and put options. As the writer of a call option, the Fund receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price. If the option expires without being exercised the Fund is not required to deliver the underlying security and retains the premium received.
The Fund may write call options that are “covered.” A call option on a security is covered if (a) the Fund owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, such amount is maintained by the Fund in earmarked or segregated cash or liquid assets) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Fund; or (b) the Fund has purchased a call on the underlying security, the exercise price of which is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written, or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in earmarked or segregated cash or liquid assets.
Selling call options involves the risk that the Fund may be required to sell the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, below the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. As the writer of a covered call option, the Fund forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying security covering the option above the sum of the premium and the exercise price but retains the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline.
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The Fund may write put options. As the writer of a put option, the Fund receives the premium from the purchaser of the option and has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to pay the exercise price and receive delivery of the underlying security. If the option expires without being exercised, the Fund is not required to receive the underlying security in exchange for the exercise price and retains the option premium.
The Fund may write put options that are “covered.” A put option on a security is covered if (a) the Fund earmarks or segregates cash or liquid assets equal to the exercise price; or (b) the Fund has purchased a put on the same security as the put written, the exercise price of which is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Fund in earmarked or segregated cash or liquid assets.
Selling put options involves the risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying security at a disadvantageous price, above the market price of such security, at the time the option is exercised. While the Fund’s potential gain in writing a covered put option is limited to the premium received plus the interest earned on the liquid assets covering the put option, the Fund’s risk of loss is equal to the entire value of the underlying security, offset only by the amount of the premium received.
The Fund may close out an options position that it has written through a closing purchase transaction. The Fund could execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a written call option by purchasing a call option on the same underlying security that has the same exercise price and expiration date as the call option written by the Fund. The Fund could execute a closing purchase transaction with respect to a put option written by purchasing a put option on the same underlying security and having the same exercise price and expiration date as the put option written by the Fund. A closing purchase transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Fund. The Fund can close out its position as an option writer only if a liquid market exists for options on the same underlying security that have the same exercise price and expiration date as the option written by the Fund. There is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option.
The writer of an American option generally has no control over the time when the option is exercised and the option writer is required to deliver or acquire the underlying security. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option. Thus, the use of options may require the Fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or for prices other than the current market values of such securities, which may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment, or may cause the Fund to hold a security that it might otherwise sell.
Purchasing Options. The Fund may purchase call and put options. As the buyer of a call option, the Fund pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to purchase the underlying security from the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security rises above the exercise price, the Fund could exercise the option and acquire the underlying security at a below-market price, which could result in a gain to the Fund, minus the premium paid. As the buyer of a put option, the Fund pays the premium to the option writer and has the right to sell the underlying security to the option writer at the exercise price. If the market price of the underlying security declines below the exercise price, the Fund could exercise the option and sell the underlying security at an above-market price, which could result in a gain to the Fund, minus the premium paid. The Fund may buy call and put options whether or not it holds the underlying securities.
As a buyer of a call or put option, the Fund may sell put or call options that it has purchased at any time prior to such option’s expiration date through a closing sale transaction. The principal factors affecting the market value of a put or a call option include supply and demand, interest rates, the current market price of the underlying security in relation to the exercise price of the option, the volatility of the underlying security, the underlying security’s dividend policy, and the time remaining until the expiration date. A closing sale transaction may or may not result in a profit to the Fund. The Fund’s ability to initiate a closing sale transaction is dependent upon the liquidity of the options market and there is no assurance that such a market will exist with respect to any particular option. If the Fund does not exercise or sell an option prior to its expiration date, the option expires and becomes worthless.
OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size and strike price, the terms of OTC options generally are established through negotiation between the parties to the options contract. This type of arrangement allows the purchaser and writer greater flexibility to tailor the option to their needs. OTC options are available for a greater variety of securities or baskets of securities, and in a wider range of expiration dates and exercise prices, than exchange-traded options. However, unlike exchange-traded options, which are issued and guaranteed by a regulated intermediary, such as the OCC, OTC options are entered into directly with the counterparty. Unless the counterparties provide for it, there is no central clearing or guaranty function for an OTC option. Therefore, OTC options are subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the option will be satisfied. There can be no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any particular OTC option at any specific time. As a result, the Fund may be unable to enter into closing sale transactions with respect to OTC options.
Index Options. Call and put options on indices operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on an index give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of cash
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determined by reference to the difference between the value of the underlying index and the strike price. The underlying index may be a broad-based index or a narrower market index. Unlike many options on securities, all settlements are in cash. The settlement amount, which the writer of an index option must pay to the holder of the option upon exercise, is generally equal to the difference between the strike price of the option and the value of the underlying index, multiplied by a specified multiplier. The multiplier determines the size of the investment position the option represents. Gain or loss to the Fund on index options transactions will depend, in part, on price movements of the underlying index generally or in a particular segment of the index rather than price movements of individual components of the index. As with other options, the Fund may close out its position in index options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid secondary market exists for such options.
Index options written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or earmarking or segregating cash or liquid assets. The Fund may cover call options written on an index by owning securities or other assets whose price changes, in the opinion of the Adviser, are expected to correlate to those of the underlying index.
Foreign Currency Options. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities. Rather than the right to buy or sell a single security at a specified price, options on foreign currencies give the holder the right to buy or sell foreign currency for a fixed amount in U.S. dollars or other base currencies. Options on foreign currencies are traded primarily in the OTC market, but may also be traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges. The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the underlying foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar or other base currency. The price of the option may vary with changes, among other things, in the value of either or both currencies and has no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors that influence foreign exchange rates and foreign investment generally. As with other options, the Fund may close out its position in foreign currency options through closing purchase transactions and closing sale transactions provided that a liquid market exists for such options.
Foreign currency options written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or earmarking or segregating cash or liquid assets.
Options on Futures Contracts. Options on futures contracts are similar to options on securities except that options on futures contracts give the purchasers the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position in the case of a call option and a short position in the case of a put option) at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the parties will be subject to all of the risks associated with futures transactions and subject to margin requirements. As the writer of options on futures contracts, the Fund would also be subject to initial and variation margin requirements on the option position.
Options on futures contracts written by the Fund may be covered in a manner similar to the covering of other types of options, by holding an offsetting financial position and/or earmarking or segregating cash or liquid assets. The Fund may cover an option on a futures contract by purchasing or selling the underlying futures contract. In such instances the exercise of the option will serve to close out the Fund’s futures position.
Additional Risks of Options Transactions. The risks associated with options transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Options are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of options requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the option itself. Options may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:
■ | The exercise of options written or purchased by the Fund could cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities, thus increasing the Fund’s portfolio turnover. |
■ | The Fund pays brokerage commissions each time it writes or purchases an option or buys or sells an underlying security in connection with the exercise of an option. Such brokerage commissions could be higher relative to the commissions for direct purchases of sales of the underlying securities. |
■ | The Fund’s options transactions may be subject to limitations on options positions established by the SEC, the CFTC or the exchanges on which such options are traded. |
■ | The hours of trading for exchange-listed options may not coincide with the hours during which the underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities, significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying securities that cannot be reflected in the options markets. |
■ | Index options based upon a narrow index of securities or other assets may present greater risks than options based on broad market indices, as narrower indices are more susceptible to rapid and extreme fluctuations as a result of changes in the values of a smaller number of securities or other assets. |
■ | The Fund is subject to the risk of market movements between the time that an option is exercised and the time of performance thereunder, which could increase the extent of any losses suffered by the Fund in connection with options transactions. |
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Futures Contracts. A futures contract is a standardized agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time (the “settlement date”). Futures contracts may be based on, among other things, a specified equity security (securities futures), a specified debt security or reference rate (interest rate futures), the value of a specified securities index (index futures) or the value of a foreign currency (currency futures). While the value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument, differences between the futures market and the market for the underlying asset may result in an imperfect correlation. The buyer of a futures contract agrees to purchase the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be “long” the contract. The seller of a futures contract agrees to sell the underlying instrument on the settlement date and is said to be “short” the contract. Futures contracts call for settlement only on the expiration date and cannot be “exercised” at any other time during their term.
Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date (such as in the case of futures based on a specified debt security) or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date (such as in the case of futures contracts relating to broad-based securities indices). In the case of cash-settled futures contracts, the settlement amount is equal to the difference between the reference instrument’s price on the last trading day of the contract and the reference instrument’s price at the time the contract was entered into. Most futures contracts, particularly futures contracts requiring physical delivery, are not held until the settlement date, but instead are offset before the settlement date through the establishment of an opposite and equal futures position (buying a contract that had been sold, or selling a contract that had been purchased). All futures transactions are effected through a clearinghouse associated with the exchange on which the futures are traded.
The buyer and seller of a futures contract are not required to deliver or pay for the underlying commodity unless the contract is held until the settlement date. However, both the buyer and seller are required to deposit “initial margin” with a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) when the futures contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as a percentage of the contract’s market value. If the value of either party’s position declines, the party will be required to make additional “variation margin” payments to settle the change in value on a daily basis. The process is known as “marking-to-market.” Upon the closing of a futures position through the establishment of an offsetting position, a final determination of variation margin will be made and additional cash will be paid by or released to the Fund.
Additional Risks of Futures Transactions. The risks associated with futures contract transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Futures are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of futures requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the futures contract itself. Futures may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described herein, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:
■ | The risk of loss in buying and selling futures contracts can be substantial. Small price movements in the commodity, security, index, currency or instrument underlying a futures position may result in immediate and substantial loss (or gain) to the Fund. |
■ | Buying and selling futures contracts may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the position in the form of initial margin. In the event of adverse price movements in the underlying commodity, security, index, currency or instrument, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. The Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities, or make or take delivery of the underlying securities in order to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. The Fund could lose margin payments deposited with an FCM if the FCM breaches its agreement with the Fund, becomes insolvent or declares bankruptcy. |
■ | Most exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during any single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular futures contract, no trades may be made on that day at prices beyond that limit. If futures contract prices were to move to the daily limit for several trading days with little or no trading, the Fund could be prevented from prompt liquidation of a futures position and subject to substantial losses. The daily limit governs only price movements during a single trading day and therefore does not limit the Fund’s potential losses. |
■ | Index futures based upon a narrower index of securities may present greater risks than futures based on broad market indices, as narrower indices are more susceptible to rapid and extreme fluctuations as a result of changes in value of a small number of securities. |
Currency Forwards. A foreign currency forward exchange contract is a negotiated agreement between two parties to exchange specified amounts of two or more currencies at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate specified by the foreign currency forward exchange contract can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. The Fund may also invest in non-deliverable foreign currency forward exchange contracts (“NDFs”). NDFs are similar to other foreign currency forward exchange contracts, but do not require or permit physical delivery of currency upon settlement. Instead, settlement is made in cash based on the difference between the contracted exchange rate and the spot foreign exchange rate at settlement. Currency futures are similar to foreign currency forward exchange contracts, except that they are traded on an exchange and standardized as to contract size and delivery date. Most currency futures call for payment or delivery in U.S. dollars. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in losses to the Fund and poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered
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into foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The typical use of a foreign currency forward exchange contract is to “lock in” the price of a security in U.S. dollars or some other foreign currency, which the Fund is holding in its portfolio. By entering into a foreign currency forward exchange contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of dollars or other currency, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transactions, the Fund may be able to protect itself against a possible loss resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar or other currency which is being used for the security purchase and the foreign currency in which the security is denominated during the period between the date on which the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. The Adviser also may from time to time utilize foreign currency forward exchange contracts for other purposes. For example, they may be used to hedge a foreign security held in the portfolio against a decline in value of the applicable foreign currency. They also may be used to lock in the current exchange rate of the currency in which those securities anticipated to be purchased are denominated. At times, the Fund may enter into “cross-currency” hedging transactions involving currencies other than those in which securities are held or proposed to be purchased are denominated.
The Fund will not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts or maintain a net exposure to these contracts where the consummation of the contracts would obligate the Fund to deliver an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities.
The Fund may be limited in its ability to enter into hedging transactions involving foreign currency forward exchange contracts by the Code requirements relating to qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”).
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts may limit gains on portfolio securities that could otherwise be realized had they not been utilized and could result in losses. The contracts also may increase the Fund’s volatility and may involve a significant amount of risk relative to the investment of cash.
Swaps. An OTC swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Most swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). The Fund’s obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. Many swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Accordingly, the Adviser must assess the creditworthiness of the counterparty to determine the likelihood that the terms of the swap will be satisfied.
Swap agreements allow for a wide variety of transactions. For example, fixed-rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments, U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in foreign currencies, and payments tied to the price of one security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument may be exchanged for payments tied to the price of a different security, index, reference rate, currency or other instrument. Swap contracts are typically individually negotiated and structured to provide exposure to a variety of particular types of investments or market factors. Swap contracts can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. To the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, the Fund is not limited to any particular form or variety of swap contract. The Fund may utilize swaps to increase or decrease its exposure to the underlying instrument, reference rate, foreign currency, market index or other asset. The Fund may also enter into related derivative instruments including caps, floors and collars.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments require the clearing of many standardized OTC derivative instruments that the CFTC and SEC defined as “swaps” and “security based swaps,” respectively. In a cleared swap, the Fund’s ultimate counterparty is a central clearinghouse rather than a brokerage firm, bank or other financial institution. The Fund initially will enter into cleared swaps through an executing broker. Such transactions will then be submitted for clearing and, if cleared, will be held at regulated FCMs that are members of the clearinghouse that serves as the central counterparty. When the Fund enters into a cleared swap, it must deliver to the central counterparty (via an FCM) an amount referred to as “initial margin.” Initial margin requirements are determined by the central counterparty, but an FCM may require additional initial margin above the amount required by the central counterparty. During the term of the swap agreement, a “variation margin” amount may also be required to be paid by the Fund or may be received by the Fund in accordance with margin controls set for such accounts, depending upon changes in the price of the underlying reference asset subject to the swap agreement. At the conclusion of the term of the swap agreement, if the Fund has a loss equal to or greater than the margin amount, the margin amount is paid to the FCM along with any loss that is greater than such margin amount. If the Fund has a loss of less than the margin amount, the excess margin is returned to the Fund. If the Fund has a gain, the full margin amount and the amount of the gain is paid to the Fund.
Central clearing is designed to reduce counterparty credit risk compared to uncleared swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant’s swap, but it does not eliminate those risks completely. There is also a
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risk of loss by the Fund of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Fund has an open position in a swap contract. The assets of the Fund may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Fund might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s or central counterparty’s customers or clearing members. If the FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Fund is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Fund’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty.
Swaps subject to mandatory central clearing and some of these cleared swaps must be traded on an exchange or swap execution facility (“SEF”), unless no exchange “makes the swap available to trade.” An SEF is an electronic trading platform in which multiple market participants can execute swap transactions by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants on the platform. Transactions executed on an SEF may increase market transparency and liquidity but may cause the Fund to incur increased expenses to execute swaps. Central clearing should decrease counterparty risk and increase liquidity compared to bilateral swaps because central clearing interposes the central clearinghouse as the counterparty to each participant’s swap. However, central clearing does not eliminate counterparty risk or liquidity risk entirely. In addition, depending on the size of the Fund and other factors, the margin required under the rules of a clearinghouse and by a clearing member may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar bilateral swap. However, the CFTC and other applicable regulators have adopted rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps which may result in the Fund and its counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared swaps. Requiring margin on uncleared swaps may reduce, but not eliminate, counterparty credit risk.
In addition, with respect to cleared swaps, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable terms as it would be able to negotiate for an uncleared swap. In addition, an FCM may unilaterally impose position limits or additional margin requirements for certain types of swaps in which the Fund may invest. Central counterparties and FCMs generally can require termination of existing cleared swap transactions at any time, and can also require increases in margin above the margin that is required at the initiation of the swap agreement. Margin requirements for cleared swaps vary on a number of factors, and the margin required under the rules of the clearinghouse and FCM may be in excess of the collateral required to be posted by the Fund to support its obligations under a similar uncleared swap. However, as noted above, regulators have adopted rules imposing certain margin requirements, including minimums, on uncleared swaps, which may result in the Fund and its counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared swaps. Requiring margin on uncleared swaps may reduce, but not eliminate, counterparty credit risk.
The Fund is also subject to the risk that, after entering into a cleared swap with an executing broker, no FCM or central counterparty is willing or able to clear the transaction. In such an event, the central counterparty would void the trade. Before the Fund can enter into a new trade, market conditions may become less favorable to the Fund.
The Adviser will continue to monitor developments regarding trading and execution of cleared swaps on exchanges or SEFs, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements and the costs and risks associated with such investments.
Interest Rate Swaps, Caps, Floors and Collars. Interest rate swaps consist of an agreement between two parties to exchange their respective commitments to pay or receive interest (e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed-rate payments). Interest rate swaps are generally entered into on a net basis. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets, or principal. Accordingly, the risk of market loss with respect to interest rate and total rate of return swaps is typically limited to the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make.
The Fund may also buy or sell interest rate caps, floors and collars. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified interest rate index exceeds a predetermined level, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified interest rate falls below a predetermined level, to receive payments of interest on a specified notional amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. A collar is a combination of a cap and a floor that preserves a certain return within a predetermined range of interest rates. Caps, floors and collars may be less liquid than other types of derivatives.
Index Swaps. An index swap consists of an agreement between two parties in which a party typically exchanges a cash flow based on a notional amount of a reference index for a cash flow based on a different index or on another specified instrument or reference rate. Index swaps are generally entered into on a net basis.
Inflation Swaps. Inflation swap agreements are contracts in which one party typically agrees to pay the cumulative percentage increase in a price index, such as the Consumer Price Index, over the term of the swap (with some lag on the referenced inflation index), and the other party pays a compounded fixed rate. Inflation swap agreements may be used to protect the NAV of the Fund against an unexpected change in the rate of inflation measured by an inflation index. The value of inflation swap agreements is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation.
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Currency Swaps. A currency swap consists of an agreement between two parties to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential among them, such as exchanging a right to receive a payment in foreign currency for the right to receive U.S. dollars. Currency swap agreements may be entered into on a net basis or may involve the delivery of the entire principal value of one designated currency in exchange for the entire principal value of another designated currency. In such cases, the entire principal value of a currency swap is subject to the risk that the counterparty will default on its contractual delivery obligations.
Swaptions. An option on a swap agreement, also called a “swaption,” is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for a premium. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.
General Risks of Swaps. The risks associated with swap transactions are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying instruments. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. The use of swaps requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the swap contract itself. Swap transactions may be subject to the risk factors generally applicable to derivatives transactions described above, and may also be subject to certain additional risk factors, including:
■ | OTC swap agreements are not traded on exchanges and may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. |
■ | In addition to the risk of default by the counterparty, if the creditworthiness of a counterparty to a swap agreement declines, the value of the swap agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses. |
■ | The swaps market is subject to extensive regulation under the Dodd-Frank Act and certain CFTC and SEC rules promulgated thereunder. It is possible that further developments in the swaps market, including new and additional governmental regulation, could result in higher Fund costs and expenses and could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to utilize swaps, terminate existing swap agreements or realize amounts to be received under such agreements. |
Structured Investments. The Fund may invest in structured investments. A structured investment is a derivative security designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying security, currency, commodity or market, for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the change in value of such underlying security, currency, commodity or market, including, among others, currency exchange rates, interest rates, referenced bonds and stock indices or other financial references. Structured investments may come in various forms, including notes, warrants and options to purchase securities, and may be listed and traded on an exchange or otherwise traded in the OTC market.
The Fund will typically use structured investments to gain exposure to a permitted underlying security, currency, commodity or market when direct access to such security, currency, commodity or market is limited or inefficient from a tax, cost or regulatory standpoint. Investments in structured investments involve risks including issuer risk, counterparty risk and market risk. Holders of structured investments bear risks of the underlying investment and are subject to issuer or counterparty risk because the holders are relying on the creditworthiness of such issuer or counterparty and have no rights with respect to the underlying investment. Certain structured investments may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market and may have the effect of increasing the Fund’s illiquidity to the extent that the Fund, at a particular point in time, may be unable to find qualified buyers for these investments.
A structured investment may be linked either positively or negatively to an underlying security, currency, commodity, index or market and a change in interest rates, principal amount, volatility, currency values or other factors, depending on the structured investment’s design, may result in a gain or loss that is a multiple of the movement of such interest rates, principal amount, volatility, currency values or other factors. Application of a multiplier is comparable to the use of financial leverage, a speculative technique. Leverage magnifies the potential for gain and the risk of loss. As a result, a relatively small decline in the value of the referenced factor could result in a relatively large loss in the value of a structured investment.
Other types of structured investments include interests in entities organized and operated for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of underlying investment interests or securities. This type of securitization or restructuring usually involves the deposit or purchase of an underlying security by a U.S. or foreign entity, such as a corporation or trust of specified instruments, and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities backed by, or representing an interest in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow or rate of return on the underlying investments may be apportioned among the newly issued securities to create different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, credit quality, payment priorities and interest rate provisions. Structured investments that are subordinated, for example, in payment priority often offer higher returns, but may result in increased risks compared to other investments.
Combined Transactions. Combined transactions involve entering into multiple derivatives transactions (such as multiple options transactions, including purchasing and writing options in combination with each other; multiple futures transactions; and combinations of options, futures, forward and swap transactions) instead of a single derivatives transaction in order to customize the
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risk and return characteristics of the overall position. Combined transactions typically contain elements of risk that are present in each of the component transactions. The Fund may enter into a combined transaction instead of a single derivatives transaction when, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is in the best interest of the Fund to do so. Because combined transactions involve multiple transactions, they may result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to close out.
Regulatory Matters. Regulatory developments affecting the exchange-traded and OTC derivatives markets may impair the Fund’s ability to manage or hedge its investment portfolio through the use of derivatives. Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 regulates the use of derivatives, short sales, reverse repurchase agreements and certain other transactions by registered investment companies. These requirements may limit the ability of the Fund to use derivatives and reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as part of its investment strategies. Rule 18f-4 requires the Fund to trade derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit, certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. Generally, these requirements apply unless the Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user.” Under Rule 18f-4, when the Fund trades reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, including certain tender option bonds, it needs to aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with the reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the Fund’s asset coverage ratio or treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions. Reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions aggregated with other indebtedness do not need to be included in the calculation of whether the Fund is a limited derivatives user, but for funds subject to the VaR testing, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions must be included for purposes of such testing whether treated as derivatives transactions or not. SEC guidance in connection with Rule 18f-4 regarding use of securities lending collateral may limit the Fund’s securities lending activities. In addition, under Rule 18f-4, the Fund is permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security under the 1940 Act, provided that (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). The Fund may otherwise engage in such transactions that do not meet the conditions of the Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision so long as the Fund treats any such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with Rule 18f-4. Furthermore, under Rule 18f-4, the Fund will be permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act, if the Fund reasonably believes, at the time it enters into such agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due.
The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules promulgated thereunder may limit the ability of the Fund to enter into one or more exchange-traded or OTC derivatives transactions.
The Fund’s use of derivatives may also be limited by the requirements of the Code for qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
The Adviser, with respect to the 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 the Fund’s operations. In addition, the Adviser will operate the Subsidiary (as defined below) in reliance on an exemption from registration as a CPO under CFTC Regulation 4.13(a)(3). Therefore, neither the Fund nor the Adviser (with respect to the Fund and the Subsidiary) is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool or CPO under the CEA. If the Adviser or the Fund becomes subject to these requirements, as well as related NFA rules, the Fund may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other commodity interests used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the CFTC amended regulations in order for its investment adviser to claim an exemption from being considered a CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets.
Regulations adopted by federal banking regulators under the Dodd-Frank Act require that certain qualified financial contracts (“QFCs”) with counterparties that are part of U.S. or foreign global systemically important banking organizations be amended to include contractual restrictions on close-out and cross-default rights. QFCs include, but are not limited to, securities contracts, commodities contracts, forward contracts, repurchase agreements, securities lending agreements and swaps agreements, as well as related master agreements, security agreements, credit enhancements, and reimbursement obligations. If a covered counterparty of the Fund or certain of the covered counterparty’s affiliates were to become subject to certain insolvency proceedings, the Fund may
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be temporarily unable to exercise certain default rights, and the QFC may be transferred to another entity. These requirements may impact the Fund’s credit and counterparty risks.
In December 2023, the SEC adopted rule amendments providing that any covered clearing agency (“CCA”) for U.S. Treasury securities require its direct participants (which generally would be a bank or broker-dealer) to submit for clearance and settlement all eligible secondary market transactions in U.S. Treasury securities to which the direct participant 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 registered funds with any direct participants of a CCA will be subject to the mandatory clearing requirement. Currently, the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (“FICC”) is the only CCA for U.S. Treasury securities.
On February 25, 2025, the SEC extended the compliance date applicable to Treasury repo transactions. Under the extended compliance date, market participants, absent an exemption, will be required to clear Treasury repo transactions under the rule as of June 30, 2027. The clearing mandate is expected to result in the Fund being required to clear all or substantially all of its Treasury repo transactions as of the compliance date, and the Fund may incur costs in connection with entering into new agreements (or amending existing agreements) with direct participants of a CCA and potentially other market participants and taking other actions to comply with the new requirements. In addition, upon the compliance date taking effect, the costs and benefits of entering into Treasury repo transactions to the Fund may be impacted as compared to Treasury repo transactions the Fund may enter prior to the compliance date. The Adviser will monitor developments in the Treasury repo transactions market as the implementation period progresses.
Contracts for Difference. The Fund may purchase contracts for difference (“CFDs”). A CFD is a privately negotiated contract between two parties, buyer and seller, stipulating that the seller will pay to or receive from the buyer the difference between the nominal value of the underlying instrument at the opening of the contract and that instrument’s value at the end of the contract. The underlying instrument may be a single security, stock basket or index. A CFD can be set up to take either a short or long position on the underlying instrument. The buyer and seller are typically both required to post margin, which is adjusted daily. The buyer will also pay to the seller a financing rate on the notional amount of the capital employed by the seller less the margin deposit. A CFD is usually terminated at the buyer’s initiative. The seller of the CFD will simply match the exposure of the underlying instrument in the open market and the parties will exchange whatever payment is due.
As is the case with owning any financial instrument, there is the risk of loss associated with buying a CFD. For example, if the Fund buys a long CFD and the underlying security is worth less at the end of the contract, the Fund would be required to make a payment to the seller and would suffer a loss. Also, there may be liquidity risk if the underlying instrument is illiquid because the liquidity of a CFD is based on the liquidity of the underlying instrument. A further risk is that adverse movements in the underlying security will require the buyer to post additional margin. CFDs also carry counterparty risk, i.e., the risk that the counterparty to the CFD transaction may be unable or unwilling to make payments or to otherwise honor its financial obligations under the terms of the contract. If the counterparty were to do so, the value of the contract, and of the Fund’s shares, may be reduced. The Fund will not enter into a CFD transaction that is inconsistent with its investment objective, policies and strategies.
Warrants. Warrants give holders the right, but not the obligation, to buy common stock of an issuer at a given price, usually higher than the market price at the time of issuance, during a specified period. Warrants are usually freely transferable. The risk of investing in a warrant is that the warrant may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the warrant. The Fund may invest up to 5% of the value of its net assets in warrants, including not more than 2% in warrants not listed on either the New York Stock Exchange or the NYSE American.
Rights. Rights represent the right, but not the obligation, for a fixed period of time to purchase additional shares of an issuer’s common stock at the time of a new issuance, usually at a price below the initial offering price of the common stock and before the common stock is offered to the general public. Rights are usually freely transferable. The risk of investing in a right is that the right may expire prior to the market value of the common stock exceeding the price fixed by the right.
High Yield Securities. High yield securities are generally considered to include fixed-income securities rated below the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., Ba through C by Moody’s, or BB through D by S&P or Fitch) and unrated fixed-income securities considered by the Adviser to be of comparable quality. High yield securities are not considered investment grade and are commonly referred to as “junk bonds” or high yield, high risk securities. Investment grade securities that the Fund holds may be downgraded to below investment grade by the rating agencies. If the Fund holds a security that is downgraded, the Fund may choose to retain the security.
While high yield securities generally offer higher yields than higher rated securities (including those of a similar maturity), they also normally carry a high degree of credit and default risk and are considered speculative by the major credit rating agencies. High yield
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securities may be issued as a consequence of corporate restructuring or similar events. High yield securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy issuers, or by highly leveraged (indebted) issuers or those that are financially distressed, that are generally less able than more established, less leveraged or more creditworthy issuers to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. In comparison to investment grade securities, the price movement of these securities is typically influenced less by changes in interest rates and more by the financial and business position, results or outlook of the issuer and other factors, such as general market conditions, negative perceptions of high yield securities generally and competitive industry conditions. The values of high yield securities are more volatile and generally react with greater sensitivity to real or perceived market, economic or issuer-specific changes.
High yield securities are frequently ranked junior to claims by other creditors. If the issuer cannot meet its obligations, the senior obligations are generally paid off before the junior obligations, which will potentially limit the Fund’s ability to fully recover principal or to receive interest payments when senior securities are in default. Thus, investors in high yield securities, such as the Fund, have a lower degree of protection with respect to principal and interest payments than do investors in higher rated securities and the Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer. In addition, lower-rated securities frequently have call or redemption features that would permit an issuer to repurchase the security from the Fund. If a call were exercised by the issuer during a period of declining interest rates, the Fund likely would have to replace such called security with a lower yielding security, thus decreasing the net investment income to the Fund and any dividends to investors. In addition, if the Fund experiences net redemptions of its shares, it may be forced to sell its higher-rated securities, resulting in a decline in the overall credit quality of its portfolio and increasing its exposure to the risks of high yield securities.
The secondary market for high yield securities is concentrated in relatively few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions, and high yield securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. Accordingly, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for higher-rated securities. A less liquid secondary market may adversely affect the market price of a high yield security held by the Fund and the Fund’s ability to dispose of the security. In addition, because high yield securities are less liquid and have less available market pricing, judgment may play a greater role in valuing such securities held by the Fund than is the case with securities trading in a more liquid market. High yield securities that are deemed to be liquid at the time of purchase may become illiquid. Also, future legislation may have a possible negative impact on the market for high yield, high risk securities.
The credit rating of a high yield security does not necessarily address its market value risk. Ratings and market value may change from time to time, positively or negatively, to reflect new developments regarding the issuer or economy. Investments in high yield securities may be more dependent on the Adviser’s credit analysis than would be the case with investments in investment-grade debt obligations.
The high yield securities markets may react strongly to adverse news about an issuer or the economy, or to the perception or expectation of adverse news, whether or not it is based on fundamental analysis. Additionally, prices for high yield securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. These developments could adversely affect the Fund’s NAV and investment practices, the secondary market for high yield securities, the financial condition of issuers of these securities and the value and liquidity of outstanding high yield securities, especially in a thinly traded market.
Investment Company Securities. Investment company securities are equity securities and include securities of other registered open-end and closed-end investment companies and unregistered investment companies, including foreign investment companies, hedge funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). The Fund may invest in investment company securities as may be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act; (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. 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 the 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 the Fund from acquiring in the aggregate more than 10% of the outstanding voting shares of any registered closed-end investment company. The 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 the 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, the Fund may invest all or some of its short term cash investments in any money market fund advised or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. In connection with any such investments, the 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 of valuation to maintain a stable net asset value (“NAV”) per share, typically a stable $1.00 NAV per share, and (2) require all other types of money market funds to operate with a floating net asset value per share 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
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level of accuracy for a fund with a different share price (e.g., $10.000 per share, or $100.00 per share). The Fund 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 the 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. Beginning on October 2, 2024, 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.
Exchange-Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in ETFs. Investments in ETFs are subject to a variety of risks, including risks of a direct investment in the underlying securities that the ETF holds. For example, the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of the underlying investments of the ETF and, consequently, the value of the ETF. In addition, the market value of the ETF shares may differ from their NAV because the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the underlying securities. Also, ETFs that track particular indices typically will be unable to match the performance of the index exactly due to, among other things, the ETF’s operating expenses and transaction costs. ETFs typically incur fees that are separate from those fees incurred directly by the Fund. Therefore, as a shareholder in an ETF (as with other investment companies), the Fund would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own investment management fees and other expenses. As a result, the Fund and its shareholders, in effect, will be absorbing fees at two levels with respect to investments in ETFs. Further, certain of the ETFs in which the Fund may invest are leveraged. Leveraged ETFs seek to deliver multiples of the performance of the index or other benchmark they track and use derivatives in an effort to amplify the returns of the underlying index or benchmark. While leveraged ETFs may offer the potential for greater return, the potential for loss and the speed at which losses can be realized also are greater. Most leveraged ETFs “reset” daily, meaning they are designed to achieve their stated objectives on a daily basis. Leveraged ETFs can deviate substantially from the performance of their underlying benchmark over longer periods of time, particularly in volatile periods. The more the Fund invests in such leveraged ETFs, the more this leverage will magnify any losses on those investments. Furthermore, disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying ETFs purchased or sold by the Fund could result in losses on the Fund’s investment in ETFs.
Illiquid Investments. In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in “illiquid investments” that are assets. For these purposes, “illiquid investments” are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. For the Fund, each portfolio investment must be classified at least monthly into one of four liquidity categories (illiquid, as discussed above, as well as highly liquid, moderately liquid and less liquid), which are defined pursuant to the Liquidity Rule and classified in accordance with the Fund’s written liquidity risk management program by the program administrator designated by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Such classification is to be made using information obtained after reasonable inquiry and taking into account relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations. In making such classifications, the Fund determines whether trading varying portions of a position in a particular portfolio investment or asset class, in sizes that the Fund would reasonably anticipate trading, is reasonably expected to significantly affect its liquidity. If so, this determination is taken into account when classifying the liquidity of that investment. The Fund may be assisted in classification determinations by one or more third-party service providers. Assets classified according to this process as “illiquid investments” are those subject to the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
In the event that changes in the portfolio or other external events cause the Fund to exceed this limit, the Fund must take steps to bring its illiquid investments that are assets to or below the applicable limit of its net assets within a reasonable period of time. This requirement would not force the Fund to liquidate any portfolio investment.
The SEC has proposed amendments to the Liquidity Rule that, if adopted, would result in changes to the Fund’s liquidity classification framework and could potentially increase the percentage of the Fund’s investments classified as illiquid. In addition, the Fund’s operations and investment strategies may be adversely impacted if the proposed amendments are adopted.
Fixed-Income Securities. Fixed-income securities generally represent an issuer’s obligation to repay to the investor (or lender) the amount borrowed plus interest over a specified time period. A typical fixed-income security specifies a fixed date when the amount borrowed (principal) is due in full, known as the maturity date, and specifies dates when periodic interest (coupon) payments will be made over the life of the security.
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Fixed-income securities come in many varieties and may differ in the way that interest is calculated, the amount and frequency of payments, the type of collateral, if any, and the presence of special features (e.g., conversion rights). Prices of fixed-income securities fluctuate and, in particular, are subject to several key risks including, but not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, prepayment risk and spread risk.
Interest rate risk arises due to general changes in the level of market rates after the purchase of a fixed-income security. Generally, the values of fixed-income securities vary inversely with changes in interest rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the values of most outstanding fixed-income securities generally rise and during periods of rising interest rates, the values of most fixed-income securities generally decline. The 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). The Fund is not limited as to the maturities (when a debt security provides its final payment) or duration (measure of interest rate sensitivity) of the securities in which it may invest. While fixed-income securities with longer final maturities often have higher yields than those with shorter maturities, they usually possess greater price sensitivity to changes in interest rates and other factors. Traditionally, the remaining term to maturity has been used as a barometer of a fixed-income security’s sensitivity to interest rate changes. This measure, however, considers only the time until the final principal payment and takes no account of the pattern or amount of principal or interest payments prior to maturity. Duration combines consideration of yield, coupon, interest and principal payments, final maturity and call (prepayment) features. Duration measures the likely percentage change in a fixed-income security’s price for a small parallel shift in the general level of interest rates; it is also an estimate of the weighted average life of the remaining cash flows of a fixed-income security. In almost all cases, the duration of a fixed-income security is shorter than its term to maturity.
Credit risk represents the possibility that an issuer may be unable to meet scheduled interest and principal payment obligations. It is most often associated with corporate bonds, although it can be present in other fixed-income securities as well. Credit ratings and quantitative models attempt to measure the degree of credit risk in fixed-income securities, and provide insight as to whether prevailing yield spreads afford sufficient compensation for such risk. Other things being equal, fixed-income securities with high degrees of credit risk should trade in the market at lower prices (and higher yields) than fixed-income securities with low degrees of credit risk.
Prepayment risk, also known as call risk, arises due to the issuer’s ability to prepay all or most of the fixed-income security prior to the stated final maturity date. Prepayments generally rise in response to a decline in interest rates as debtors take advantage of the opportunity to refinance their obligations. This risk is often associated with mortgage securities where the underlying mortgage loans can be refinanced, although it can also be present in corporate or other types of bonds with call provisions. When a prepayment occurs, the Fund may be forced to reinvest in lower yielding fixed-income securities. Quantitative models are designed to help assess the degree of prepayment risk, and provide insight as to whether prevailing yield spreads afford sufficient compensation for such risk.
Spread risk is the potential for the value of the Fund’s assets to fall due to the widening of spreads. Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference (or “spread”) between the yield of a security and the yield of a benchmark, such as a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity, measures the additional interest paid for credit risk. As the spread on a security widens (or increases), the price (or value) of the security falls. Spread widening may occur, among other reasons, as a result of market concerns over the stability of the market, excess supply, general credit concerns in other markets, security- or market-specific credit concerns or general reductions in risk tolerance.
While assets in fixed-income markets have grown rapidly in recent years, the capacity for traditional dealer counterparties to engage in fixed-income trading has not kept pace and in some cases has decreased. For example, primary dealer inventories of corporate bonds, which provide a core indication of the ability of financial intermediaries to “make markets,” are at or near historic lows in relation to market size. This reduction in market-making capacity may be a persistent change, to the extent it is resulting from broader structural changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks at broker-dealers and increased regulatory capital requirements. Because market makers provide stability to a market through their intermediary services, the significant reduction in dealer inventories could potentially lead to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the fixed-income markets. Such issues may be exacerbated during periods of economic uncertainty.
Economic, political and other events also may affect the prices of broad fixed-income markets, although the risks associated with such events are transmitted to the market via changes in the prevailing levels of interest rates, credit risk, prepayment risk or spread risk. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could impact the creditworthiness of the United States and could impact the liquidity of the U.S. Government securities markets and ultimately the Fund.
Certain of the Fund’s investments are subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of assets or income from investments will be less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money (i.e., as inflation increases, the values of the Fund’s assets can decline). Inflation rates may change frequently and significantly as a result of various factors, including unexpected shifts in the
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domestic or global economy and changes in economic policies, and the Fund’s investments may not keep pace with inflation, which may result in losses to Fund shareholders. This risk is greater for fixed-income instruments with longer maturities.
Investment Grade Securities. Investment grade securities are fixed-income securities rated by one or more of the rating agencies in one of the four highest rating categories at the time of purchase (e.g., AAA, AA, A or BBB by S&P Global Ratings Group, a division of S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) or Aaa, Aa, A or Baa by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or the equivalent by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization) or determined to be of equivalent quality by the Adviser. Securities rated BBB or Baa represent the lowest of four levels of investment grade securities and are regarded as borderline between sound obligations and those in which speculative elements predominate. The Fund is permitted to hold investment grade securities or “high grade” securities, and may hold unrated securities if the Adviser considers the risks involved in owning that security to be equivalent to the risks involved in holding an investment grade security. Ratings assigned to fixed-income securities represent only the opinion of the rating agency assigning the rating and are not dispositive of the credit risk associated with the purchase of a particular fixed-income security. Moreover, market risk also will affect the prices of even the highest rated fixed-income securities so that their prices may rise or fall even if the issuer’s capacity to repay its obligations remains unchanged.
Commercial Paper. Commercial paper refers to short-term fixed-income securities with maturities ranging from 1 to 397 days. They are primarily issued by corporations needing to finance large amounts of receivables, but may be issued by banks and other borrowers. Commercial paper is issued either directly or through broker-dealers, and may be discounted or interest bearing. Commercial paper is unsecured. Virtually all commercial paper is rated by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P.
Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P has the following characteristics: (1) liquidity ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements; (2) long-term senior debt is rated “A” or better; (3) the issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing; (4) basic earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances; (5) typically, the issuer’s industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position within the industry; and (6) the reliability and quality of management are unquestioned. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determines whether the issuer’s commercial paper is A-1, A-2 or A-3.
The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody’s. Among the factors considered by Moody’s in assigning ratings are the following: (1) evaluation of the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the issuer’s industry or industries and the appraisal of speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; (3) evaluation of the issuer’s products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and quality of long-term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7) financial strength of a parent company and the relationships that exist with the issuer; and (8) recognition by the management of obligations which may be present or may arise as a result of public interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations.
With respect to Fitch, a short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets. An F1 rating indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments whereas an F2 rating indicates good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
Zero Coupons, Pay-In-Kind Securities or Deferred Payment Securities. Zero coupon, pay-in-kind and deferred payment securities are all types of 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 the 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. The 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. Zero coupons are fixed-income securities that do not make regular interest payments. Instead, 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. The 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.
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Pay-In-Kind Securities. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by delivery of additional securities. Upon maturity, the holder is entitled to receive the aggregate par value of the securities.
Deferred Payment Securities. Deferred payment securities are securities that remain zero coupons until a predetermined date, at which time the stated coupon rate becomes effective and interest becomes payable at regular intervals.
Special Purpose Acquisition Companies. The Fund may invest in stock, warrants, rights and other securities of special purpose acquisition companies (“SPAC”), which typically are publicly traded companies that raise investment capital for the purpose of acquiring or merging with an existing company that is identified subsequent to the SPAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”), or similar special purpose entities. Typically, the acquisition target is an existing privately held company that wants to trade publicly, which it accomplishes through a combination with a SPAC rather than by conducting a traditional IPO. SPACs and similar entities are blank check companies and do not have any operating history or ongoing business other than seeking acquisitions. The long term value of a SPAC’s securities is particularly dependent on the ability of the SPAC’s management to identify a merger target and complete an attractive acquisition. Some SPACs pursue acquisitions only within certain sectors, industries or regions, which may increase the time horizon for an acquisition as well as other risks associated with these investments, including price volatility. Conversely, other SPACs may invest without such limitations, in which case the SPAC’s management may have limited experience or knowledge of the market sector, industry or region in which the transaction is contemplated. In addition, certain securities issued by a SPAC, particularly in private placements conducted by the SPAC after its IPO, may be classified as illiquid and/or be subject to restrictions on resale, which restrictions may be imposed for at least a year or possibly a more extended time, and may potentially be traded only in the over-the-counter market.
Until an acquisition or merger is completed, a SPAC generally invests its assets, less a portion retained to cover expenses, in U.S. government securities, money market securities and cash and does not typically pay dividends in respect of its common stock. To the extent a SPAC is invested in these securities or cash, the SPAC may not perform similar to other equity securities and this may impact the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. SPAC shareholders may not approve any proposed acquisition or merger, or an acquisition or merger, once effected, may prove unsuccessful. If an acquisition or merger that meets the requirements of the SPAC is not completed within a pre-established period of time (typically, two years), the funds invested in the SPAC plus any interest paid on such funds while held in trust (less any permitted expenses and any losses experienced by the SPAC) are returned to its shareholders, unless the shareholders approve alternative options. As a result, the Fund may be subject to opportunity costs to the extent that alternative investments would have produced higher returns. Any warrants or other rights with respect to a SPAC held by the Fund may expire worthless or may be repurchased or retired by the SPAC at an unfavorable price.
In connection with a proposed acquisition, a SPAC may raise additional funds in order to fund the acquisition, post-acquisition working capital, redemptions or some combination of those purposes. This additional fundraising may be in the form of a private placement of a class of equity securities or debt. The debt could be secured by the assets of the SPAC or the operating company existing after the acquisition or it could be unsecured. The debt may also be investment grade debt or below investment grade debt.
The Fund may invest in stock, warrants, rights and other securities of SPACs or similar special purpose entities in a private placement transaction or as part of a public offering. If the Fund purchases securities in the SPAC’s IPO, typically it will receive publicly-traded securities called “units” that include one share of common stock and one right or warrant (or partial right or warrant) conveying the right to purchase additional shares of common stock. At a specified time, the rights and warrants may be separated from the common stock at the election of the holder, after which each security typically is freely tradeable. An investment in the IPO securities of a SPAC may be diluted by additional, later offerings of securities by the SPAC or by other investors exercising existing rights to purchase securities of the SPAC. If the Fund invests in equity securities issued in a private placement after the IPO, those shares will not be publicly tradable unless and until there is a registration statement filed by the SPAC and approved by the SEC or if an exemption from registration is available, which exemptions typically become available at least a year after the date of the business combination. Equity investments in the SPAC made in connection with a proposed business combination will be diluted by the acquisition itself and further fundraising by the ongoing operating business.
If there is no market for the shares of the SPAC or only a thinly traded market for shares or interests in the SPAC develops, the Fund may not be able to sell its interest in a SPAC or it may only sell its interest at a price below what the Fund believes is the SPAC interest’s value. If not subject to a restriction on resale, the Fund may sell its investments in a SPAC at any time, including before, at or after the time of an acquisition or merger. Generally, SPACs provide the opportunity for common shareholders who hold publicly traded shares to have some or all of their shares redeemed by the SPAC at or around the time of a proposed acquisition or merger. However, there is often a limit to the number of shares that can be redeemed in connection with a business combination. If the Fund holds shares of publicly traded SPAC stock, this means that the Fund may not be able to redeem those shares prior to an acquisition and may have to hold those shares until after the completion of the acquisition. If the Fund purchases shares in a private placement, those shares will not be redeemable in connection with a transaction. In addition, the Fund may elect not to participate in a proposed SPAC transaction or may be required to divest its interests in the SPAC due to regulatory or other considerations.
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An investment in a SPAC is subject to the risks that any proposed acquisition or merger may not obtain the requisite approval of SPAC shareholders, may require governmental or other approvals that it fails to obtain or that an acquisition or merger, once effected, may prove unsuccessful and lose value. In addition, among other conflicts of interest, the economic interests of the management, directors, officers and related parties of a SPAC can differ from the economic interests of public shareholders, which may lead to conflicts as they evaluate, negotiate and recommend business combination transactions to shareholders. This risk may become more acute as the deadline for the completion of a business combination nears or in the event that attractive acquisition or merger targets become scarce.
An investment in a SPAC is subject to the risks that any proposed acquisition or merger may not obtain the requisite approval of SPAC shareholders, may require governmental or other approvals that it fails to obtain or that an acquisition or merger, once effected, may prove unsuccessful and lose value. In addition, among other conflicts of interest, the economic interests of the management, directors, officers and related parties of a SPAC can differ from the economic interests of public shareholders, which may lead to conflicts as they evaluate, negotiate and recommend business combination transactions to shareholders. For example, because the sponsor, directors and officers of a SPAC may directly or indirectly own interests in a SPAC, the sponsor, directors and officers may have a conflict of interest in determining whether a particular target business is an appropriate business with which to effectuate a business combination. SPAC sponsors generally purchase equity in the SPAC at more favorable terms than investors in the IPO or subsequent investors on the open market. As a result, although most of the SPAC’s capital has been provided by IPO investors, the sponsors and potentially other initial investors will benefit more than investors from the SPAC’s completion of an initial business combination and may have an incentive to complete a transaction on terms that may be less favorable to other investors. This risk may become more acute as the deadline for the completion of a business combination nears or in the event that attractive acquisition or merger targets become scarce. In addition, the requirement that a SPAC complete a business combination within a prescribed time frame may give potential target businesses leverage over the SPAC in negotiating a business combination and may limit the time the SPAC has in which to conduct due diligence on potential business combination targets, which could undermine the SPAC’s ability to complete a business combination on terms that would produce value for its shareholders. An investment in a SPAC is also subject to the risk that a significant portion of the funds raised by the SPAC may be expended during the search for a target acquisition or merger. The value of investments in SPACs may be highly volatile and may depreciate over time.
In addition, investments in SPACs may be subject to the same risks as investing in any initial public offering, including the risks associated with companies that have little operating history as public companies, including unseasoned trading, small number of shares available for trading and limited information about the issuer. In addition, the market for IPO issuers may be volatile, and share prices of newly-public companies have fluctuated significantly over short periods of time. Although some IPOs may produce high returns, such returns are not typical and may not be sustainable. Certain investments in SPACs are privately placed securities and are also subject to the risks of such securities.
Bitcoin Exposure. The Fund may have exposure to bitcoin indirectly through cash settled futures traded on one or more futures exchanges registered with, and regulated by, the CFTC, such as the CME, or indirectly through investments in exchange-traded products that invest in bitcoin (“Bitcoin ETPs”) and that trade on SEC-regulated exchanges. To the extent the Fund invests in bitcoin futures or Bitcoin ETPs, it will do so through a wholly-owned subsidiary organized as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Bitcoin Subsidiary” or “Subsidiary”). The Fund may at times have no exposure to bitcoin. Although the Fund does not directly invest in bitcoin, the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin or investments in bitcoin futures are exposed to various risks, including those associated with the price of bitcoin, which may be substantial, including significant price volatility and the risk of fraud and manipulation.
Bitcoin is a crypto asset whose ownership and behavior are determined by participants in an online, peer-to-peer network that connects computers that run publicly accessible, or “open source,” software that follows the rules and procedures governing the bitcoin network (commonly referred to as the bitcoin protocol). The value of bitcoin, like the value of other crypto assets, is not backed by any government, corporation, or other identified body. The value of bitcoin is determined in part by the limited supply of and the demand for, bitcoin in the global market for the trading of bitcoin, which consists primarily of transactions on crypto asset platforms. The further development of the bitcoin network, which is part of a new and rapidly changing industry, is subject to a variety of factors, many of which are difficult to evaluate or predict.
Risks Related to Bitcoin. Crypto assets (also referred to as “cryptocurrencies,” “virtual currencies,” “coins,” “tokens” and “digital currencies”) are assets issued and/or transferred using distributed ledger technology. Crypto assets constitute an emerging asset class with a limited history and exposure to bitcoin is subject to substantial risks, including significant price volatility and fraud and manipulation, which are generally more pronounced in the crypto asset market compared to traditional asset classes. In addition, the performance and value of indirect investments in bitcoin may differ significantly from the performance or value of bitcoin.
Crypto assets facilitate decentralized, peer-to-peer financial exchange and value storage that is used like money, without the oversight of a central authority or banks. The value of crypto assets is not backed by any government, corporation, or other identified body. Similar to fiat currencies (i.e., a currency that is backed by a central bank or a national, supra-national or quasi-national
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organization), crypto assets are susceptible to theft, loss and destruction. For example, the bitcoin held by Bitcoin ETPs (and the Fund’s indirect exposure to such bitcoin) is also susceptible to these risks.
The value of the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin is subject, among other things, to significant fluctuations in the value of the bitcoin. The price of bitcoin has been and, may in the future continue to be, highly volatile and subject to sudden and sharp increases and declines. The value of bitcoin (and crypto assets more generally) is determined by the supply and demand for bitcoin in the global market for the trading of bitcoin, which consists primarily of transactions on crypto asset platforms. The price of bitcoin could suddenly significantly increase or drop precipitously (including to zero) for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, regulatory changes, a crisis of confidence, “51% attacks” (i.e., a potential threat to blockchain networks, where a group of miners may control more than 50% of the network’s mining hash rate) or other malicious behavior, flaws or operational issues in the bitcoin network or a change in user preference to competing crypto assets. The Fund’s exposure to bitcoin could result in substantial losses to the Fund and the Subsidiary.
Crypto assets trade on platforms which are largely unregulated and are more exposed to fraud, market manipulation, failure and other risks than established, regulated exchanges for securities and other traditional assets, derivatives and currencies, and crypto assets may not be widely accepted as a medium of exchange. In addition, these platforms (which may serve as a pricing source for the valuation of bitcoin exposure) may be viewed as operating out of compliance with applicable laws and regulations and may be subject to enforcement action by authorities. There may also be uncertainty on the application of such laws and regulations to such platforms. Crypto asset platforms have in the past, and may in the future, fail or otherwise cease operating temporarily or even permanently, resulting in the potential loss of users’ crypto assets or other market disruptions.
Crypto asset platforms may be subject to cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering requirements (among other requirements) but do not protect customers or their markets to the same extent, and in the same ways, that regulated securities exchanges or futures exchanges are required to do so. The prices of crypto assets on trading platforms may be subject to larger and more frequent sudden increases and declines than assets traded on traditional exchanges. In addition, crypto asset platforms are also particularly subject to the risk of cybersecurity threats and have been breached, resulting in the theft and/or loss of bitcoin and other crypto assets. A cyber or other security breach or a business failure of a crypto asset platform or custodian may affect the price of a particular crypto asset or crypto assets generally. Risks also exist with respect to malicious actors or previously unknown vulnerabilities, which may adversely affect the value of crypto assets
Disruptions at bitcoin trading platforms and potential consequences of a bitcoin trading platform’s failure could adversely affect the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin. In 2022 and 2023, several large participants in the crypto asset industry, including trading platforms, lenders, custodians and investment firms, declared bankruptcy, which resulted in a loss of confidence in participants of the crypto asset ecosystem and negative publicity surrounding crypto assets more broadly. These and similar events have also contributed to financial distress among crypto asset market participants and widespread disruption in those markets. The collateral impacts of these types of failures, or of fraud or other adverse developments in the crypto asset markets, is difficult to accurately predict. In addition, a slowdown or other sustained adverse downturn in the general economic or crypto asset markets could adversely affect the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin. Volatility in bitcoin prices has been and can be significant. Volatility in the future, which could be extreme and involve sudden and substantial increases or decreases in the trading prices of the bitcoin, could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin. Furthermore, negative perception of, and/or a lack of stability and standardized regulation in the crypto asset economy and markets may reduce confidence in the crypto asset economy and markets and may result in greater volatility in the prices of bitcoin and other crypto assets, including a substantial depreciation in value. Further, regulation of crypto asset markets is still developing and federal, state or foreign governmental authorities may restrict the development, use or exchange of crypto assets.
Furthermore, U.S. and non-U.S. governmental agencies and other regulators regularly implement additional regulations and legislators pass new laws that may 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 may impact the investment strategies, performance, costs and operations of the Fund or taxation of shareholders. In addition, events that impact one crypto asset may lead to a volatility or a decline in the value or another crypto asset, such as bitcoin.
The market for bitcoin (and bitcoin futures) depends on, among other things: the supply and demand for bitcoin (and bitcoin futures); the adoption of bitcoin for commercial uses; the anticipated increase of investments in bitcoin-related investment products by retail and institutional investors; speculative interest in bitcoin, bitcoin futures, and bitcoin-related investment products; regulatory or other restrictions on investors’ ability to invest in bitcoin and bitcoin futures; competition from other crypto assets and blockchains; and the potential ability to hedge against the price of bitcoin with bitcoin futures (and vice versa). At times, there has been, and may in the future be, significant disruption to the crypto asset market, which could adversely impact the Fund’s indirect investments in bitcoin.
Factors affecting the further development of crypto assets include, but are not limited to: continued worldwide growth or possible cessation or reversal of the adoption and use of crypto and other crypto assets; government and quasi-government regulation or
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restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of crypto asset networks; changes in consumer demographics and public preferences; maintenance and development of open-source software protocol; availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services; the use of the networks supporting crypto assets, such as those for developing smart contracts and distributed applications; general economic and political conditions and the regulatory environment relating to crypto assets; negative consumer or public perception; and general risks tied to the use of information technologies, including cyber risks. A breach or failure of one crypto asset may lead to a loss of confidence in, and thus decreased usage and or value of, other crypto assets.
Crypto asset mining operations consume significant amounts of electricity, which may restrict the locations of mining operations, have a (perceived or actual) negative environmental impact and give rise to public opinion against allowing, or government regulations restricting, the use of electricity for mining operations. Additionally, miners may be forced to cease operations during an electricity shortage or power outage. Any shortage of electricity supply or increase in related costs (or if a slowdown or cessation in the expansion of processing power) will negatively impact the viability and expected economic return from crypto asset mining, which will affect the availability of crypto assets in the marketplace. Many crypto asset mining operations rely on fossil fuels to power their operations, which gives rise to additional risks, such as additional government regulation. Such events could have a negative impact on the price of crypto assets, crypto asset futures, and the Fund’s performance. In addition, sales of newly mined crypto assets (and sales of crypto assets by large holders) may impact the price of crypto assets. There is increasing focus from certain investors, regulators, users and other stakeholders concerning corporate responsibility, specifically related to environmental, social and governance matters. Some investors may use these non-financial performance factors to guide their investment strategies and, in some cases, may choose not to invest in bitcoin or bitcoin-related products, which could negatively impact the price of bitcoin and bitcoin-related products.
Currently, there is relatively limited use of crypto assets in the retail and commercial marketplace, which contributes to price volatility. A lack of expansion by crypto assets into retail and commercial markets, or a contraction of such use, may result in increased volatility or a reduction in the value of crypto assets, either of which could adversely impact the Fund’s indirect investment in bitcoin. In addition, to the extent market participants develop a preference for one crypto asset over another, the value of the less preferred crypto asset would likely be adversely affected.
Crypto assets are new technological innovations with a limited history; they are highly speculative assets and future U.S. or foreign government or regulatory actions or policies may limit, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the value of the Fund’s indirect investment in bitcoin and the ability to exchange a crypto asset or utilize it as a medium of exchange.
Many significant aspects of the tax treatment of investments in crypto assets are uncertain, and a direct or indirect investment in crypto assets may produce income that if directly earned by a RIC, like the Fund, would be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of the income test applicable to RICs. Accordingly, to the extent the Fund invests in bitcoin futures or Bitcoin ETPs, it will do so through its Subsidiary.
In 2014, the IRS released a notice (the “Notice”) discussing certain aspects of “convertible virtual currency” (that is, crypto assets that have an equivalent value in fiat currency or that act as a substitute for fiat currency) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, in particular, stating that such a crypto asset (i) is “property,” (ii) is not “currency” for purposes of the rules relating to foreign currency gain or loss and (iii) may be held as a capital asset. In 2019, the IRS released a revenue ruling and a set of “Frequently Asked Questions” (the “Ruling & FAQs”) that provide some additional guidance. However, the Notice and the Ruling & FAQs do not address other significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax treatment of crypto assets. Moreover, although the Ruling & FAQs address the treatment of hard forks, there continues to be uncertainty with respect to the income and withholding taxation of incidental rights received through a fork in the blockchain, airdrops offered to bitcoin holders and other similar events, including situations where such rights are disclaimed, as is expected with respect to a Bitcoin ETP’s intended treatment of such events.
The taxing authorities of certain states (i) have announced that they will follow the Notice with respect to the treatment of crypto assets for state income tax purposes and/or (ii) have issued guidance exempting the purchase and/or sale of crypto assets for fiat currency from state sales tax. It is unclear what further guidance on the treatment of crypto assets for state tax purposes may be issued in the future.
Because of the evolving nature of crypto assets, it is not possible to predict potential future developments that may arise with respect to crypto assets. Any future guidance on the treatment of crypto assets for federal, state or local tax purposes could result in adverse tax consequences for investors in the Fund and could have an adverse effect on the value of bitcoin.
Bitcoin Cash Settled Futures. The Fund may invest in futures contracts based on bitcoin to obtain long exposure to bitcoin. A long exposure reflects an investment contemplating an increase in the value of the underlying asset whereas a short exposure reflects an investment contemplating a decrease in value of the underlying asset. To the extent the Fund invests in bitcoin futures, it will do so through its Subsidiary.
The only bitcoin futures in which the Fund may invest are cash settled bitcoin futures traded on one or more futures exchanges registered with, and regulated by, the CFTC, such as the CME. The value of bitcoin futures is determined by reference to the CME
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CF Bitcoin Reference Rate, a once-a-day benchmark index price for bitcoin that aggregates trade data from multiple bitcoin-USD markets operated by major crypto asset platforms that conform to the CME CF Constituent Exchange Criteria.
Bitcoin futures expose the Fund to all of the risks related to bitcoin discussed above and also expose the Fund to risks related to futures, and specifically risks related to bitcoin futures. The price of bitcoin futures is based on a variety of factors. For example, regulatory changes or actions may alter the nature of an investment in bitcoin futures or restrict the use of bitcoin or the operations of the bitcoin network or platforms on which bitcoin trades in a manner that adversely affects the price of bitcoin futures, which could adversely impact the Fund and necessitate the payment of large daily variation margin payments to settle the Fund’s losses.
The market for bitcoin futures is still developing and the Fund’s investment in bitcoin futures may involve illiquidity risk, as bitcoin futures are not as heavily traded as other futures given that the bitcoin futures market is relatively new, which means the Fund may be unable to purchase or sell a futures contract at a desired price or time and therefore may be unable to change its exposure levels to bitcoin and may need to continue meeting ongoing margin payment obligations on its current bitcoin futures contracts. In addition, bitcoin futures markets may be more volatile than traditional futures markets and exchanges on which bitcoin futures are traded and their related clearinghouses and the Fund’s FCMs generally require the Fund to maintain relatively high levels of initial margin at the clearinghouse and FCM in connection with bitcoin futures. Initial margin requirements will increase if the Fund’s bitcoin futures investments increase in value. Margin requirements and daily or other periodic position limits and other limits may limit the Fund’s ability to achieve the desired exposure.
Platforms on which bitcoin is traded (which are the source of the price(s) used to determine the cash settlement amount for the Fund’s bitcoin futures) have experienced, and may in the future experience, technical and operational issues, making bitcoin prices unavailable at times. In addition, the cash market in bitcoin has been the target of fraud and manipulation, which could affect the pricing of bitcoin futures contracts.
The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller holding a futures contract to expiration may be satisfied by settling in cash as provided by the terms of such contract. However, the Fund does not intend to hold bitcoin futures through expiration. Instead, the Fund intends to “roll” bitcoin futures positions. “Rolling” refers to a process whereby futures contracts nearing expiration are closed out and replaced with new futures contracts with a later expiration date. Accordingly, the Fund is subject to risks related to rolling. In addition, the costs associated with rolling bitcoin futures typically are substantially higher than the costs associated with other futures contracts and may have a significant adverse impact on the performance of the Fund’s investments in bitcoin futures.
When the market for certain futures contracts is such that the prices are higher in the more distant delivery months than in the nearer delivery months, the sale during the “rolling process” of the bitcoin futures with closer delivery dates would take place at a price that is lower than the price of the bitcoin futures with more distant delivery dates. This pattern of higher futures prices for longer expiration bitcoin futures is often referred to as “contango.” Alternatively, when the market for certain bitcoin futures is such that the prices are higher in the nearer months than in the more distant months, the sale during the rolling process of the bitcoin futures with closer delivery dates would take place at a price that is higher than the price of the more distant bitcoin futures. This pattern of higher future prices for shorter expiration bitcoin futures is referred to as “backwardation.” There have been extended periods in which contango or backwardation has existed in certain futures markets in general. Such periods could occur in the future for bitcoin futures and may cause significant and sustained losses. Additionally, because of the frequency with which the Fund may roll futures contracts, the impact of contango or backwardation on Fund performance may be greater than it would have been if the Fund rolled futures contracts less frequently. In addition, bitcoin and bitcoin futures have generally exhibited significant price volatility relative to traditional asset classes. Bitcoin futures may also experience significant price volatility as a result of the market fraud and manipulation noted above.
In addition to the risks specific to bitcoin and other crypto assets and crypto asset markets, futures contracts based on bitcoin are also subject to the risks otherwise applicable to derivatives, in particular those described in “Futures Contracts.” Furthermore, the price of bitcoin futures is based on a variety of factors in addition to the price of bitcoin, including regulatory changes or actions and required daily variation margin payments.
Bitcoin ETPs. The Fund may obtain investment exposure to bitcoin indirectly through investing in Bitcoin ETPs. The amount of the Fund’s investment in Bitcoin ETPs will be subject to certain limits at the time of investment. The risks of investing in Bitcoin ETPs are similar to the risks of investing in crypto assets generally and investments in a Bitcoin ETP expose the Fund to all of the risks related to bitcoin discussed above and also expose the Fund to risks specific to such Bitcoin ETPs, and to ETPs more generally.
Shares of Bitcoin ETPs have historically traded, and may continue to trade, at a significant discount or premium to NAV. To the extent a Bitcoin ETP trades at a discount to NAV, the value of the Fund’s investment in the Bitcoin ETP would typically decrease, even if the value of the Bitcoin ETP’s underlying holdings in bitcoin does not decrease. The Fund’s investment in a Bitcoin ETP will be subject to the operating expenses associated with such Bitcoin ETP. In addition, Bitcoin ETPs are susceptible to theft of their bitcoin holdings, which would negatively affect an investment by the Fund in such products.
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Although Bitcoin ETPs are registered products (and therefore will benefit from protections and restrictions under applicable laws), Bitcoin ETPs are not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act, and therefore will not benefit from the protections and restrictions under the 1940 Act or the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund’s investments in Bitcoin ETPs are also subject to the risks associated with ETPs generally, including liquidity risk, authorized participant concentration risk, cash transactions risk and trading risk.
Bitcoin ETPs are generally expected to be treated as grantor trusts for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore an investment by the Bitcoin Subsidiary in Bitcoin ETPs will generally be treated for tax purposes as a direct investment by the Bitcoin Subsidiary in bitcoin and will be subject to the tax risks related to investment in bitcoin.
Special Risks Related to the Cayman Islands Subsidiary. The Fund may, consistent with its principal investment strategies, invest up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Bitcoin Subsidiary may invest in Bitcoin ETFs, cash-settled bitcoin futures and other investments. Investments in the Bitcoin Subsidiary are expected to provide the Fund with exposure to bitcoin within the limitations of Subchapter M of the Code and Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) revenue rulings, as discussed below under “Taxes.”
The Subsidiary is a company organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands and is overseen by its own board of directors. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, and it is not currently expected that shares of the Subsidiary will be sold or offered to other investors. To the extent that the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, the Fund may be subject to the risks associated with such bitcoin and other bitcoin related investments.
While the Subsidiary may be considered similar to an investment company, it is not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in the Prospectus and this SAI, is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the applicable Prospectus and this SAI and could eliminate or severely limit the Fund’s ability to invest in the Subsidiary which may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders.
Additional Risks.
In addition to the investment strategies and risks described in the prospectus and above, the 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 the Fund to process transactions; inability to calculate the Fund’s NAV; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs; and/or additional compliance costs. The 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 the Fund invests, which may cause the 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 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. For example, the SEC recently 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 the 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 the Fund and its operations. Securities in the 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
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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 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. 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 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 the Fund’s investments and other operations. The value of the Fund’s investments 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 the Fund invests and the value of the Fund’s investments therein, the operations of the Adviser (including those relating to the Fund) could be impacted adversely, including through quarantine measures and travel restrictions imposed on the Adviser’s, or service providers’ personnel located in affected countries, regions or local areas, or any related health issues of such personnel. Any of the foregoing events could materially and adversely affect the Adviser’s ability to source, manage and divest investments on behalf of the Fund and pursue the 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, the 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 the 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.
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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. For the Fund, ESG issues are not necessarily considered with respect to each issuer (or obligor) in which the Fund invests and are not the sole determinant of whether or not an investment can be made or a holding can remain in the Fund’s portfolios. As a result, the Fund may, in some cases, invest in companies or issuers that do not have favorable sustainability or ESG characteristics.
Fund Policies/Investment Restrictions
The investment objective, policies and restrictions listed below have been adopted by the Fund as fundamental policies. Under the 1940 Act, a fundamental policy may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The 1940 Act defines a majority as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting of shareholders, if the holders of 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy; or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. For purposes of the following restrictions: (i) all percentage limitations apply immediately after a purchase or initial investment, except in the case of borrowing and investments in illiquid securities; and (ii) any subsequent change in any applicable percentage resulting from market fluctuations or other changes in total or net assets does not require elimination of any security from the portfolio, except in the case of borrowings.
The Fund will:
1. Seek long-term capital appreciation.
The Fund will not:
1. Invest in a manner inconsistent with its classification as a “diversified company” as provided by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
2. Borrow money, except the Fund may borrow money to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
3. Make loans of money or property to any person, except (a) to the extent that securities or interests in which the Fund may invest are considered to be loans, (b) through the loan of portfolio securities, (c) by engaging in repurchase agreements or (d) as may otherwise be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
4. Purchase or sell physical commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments; provided that this restriction shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts and related options thereon, forward contracts, swaps, caps, floors, collars and any other financial instruments or from investing in securities or other instruments backed by physical commodities or as otherwise permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
5. Issue senior securities, except the Fund may issue senior securities to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
6. Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities or to cash equivalents.
7. Purchase or sell real estate or interests therein (including limited partnership interests), although the Fund may purchase securities of issuers which engage in real estate operations and securities secured by real estate or interests therein.
8. Engage in the underwriting of securities, except insofar as the Fund may be deemed an underwriter under the 1933 Act in disposing of a portfolio security.
In addition, as non-fundamental policies, which can be changed with Board approval and without shareholder vote, the Fund will not:
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1. Invest its assets in the securities of any investment company except as may be permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time; (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time; or (iii) an exemption or other relief applicable to the Fund from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
The Fund has an operating policy, which may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, not to borrow except from a bank for temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% (taken at the lower of cost or current value) of its total assets (not including the amount borrowed).
The investment policies, limitations or practices of the Fund may not apply during periods of unusual or adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. Such market, economic, political or other conditions may include periods of abnormal or heightened market volatility, strained credit and/or liquidity conditions or increased governmental intervention in the markets or industries. During such periods, the 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.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Fund’s Board of Trustees and the Adviser have adopted policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings (the “Policy”). Pursuant to the Policy, the Adviser may disclose information concerning Fund portfolio holdings only if such disclosure is consistent with the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and the Fund’s and the Adviser’s fiduciary duties to Fund shareholders. In no instance may the Adviser or the Fund receive compensation or any other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about the portfolio securities of the Fund. Consideration includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or by any affiliated person of the Adviser. Non-public information concerning portfolio holdings may be divulged to third-parties only when the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipients of the information are subject to a duty of confidentiality. Under no circumstances shall current or prospective Fund shareholders receive non-public portfolio holdings information, except as described below.
The Fund makes available on its public website the following portfolio holdings information:
■ | complete portfolio holdings information quarterly, at least 45 calendar days after the end of each quarter; and |
■ | top 10 holdings monthly, at least 15 calendar days after the end of each month. |
The Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the second and fourth fiscal quarters in its report filed on Form N-CSR, and for the first and third fiscal quarters in its filings with the SEC as an exhibit to Form N-PORT. These portfolio holdings are also available on the Fund’s public website https://www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports
The Fund may provide publicly, portfolio holdings information more frequently if it has a legitimate business purpose for doing so.
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 Fund may make selective disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings information pursuant to certain exemptions set forth in the Policy. Third-parties eligible for exemptions under the Policy and therefore eligible to receive such disclosures currently include 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 Fund and the arrangement has been reviewed and approved, as set forth in the Policy and discussed below. In addition, persons who owe a duty of trust or confidence to the Fund or the Adviser may receive non-public portfolio holdings information without entering into a non-disclosure agreement. Currently, these persons include (i) the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm (as of the Fund’s fiscal year-end and on an as-needed basis), (ii) counsel to the Fund (on an as-needed basis), (iii) counsel to the Independent Trustees (on an as-needed basis) and (iv) members of the Board of Trustees (on an as-needed basis). Subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement between the Adviser or the Fund and the third-party recipient, if these conditions for disclosure are satisfied, there shall be no restriction on the frequency with which Fund non-public portfolio holdings information is released, and no lag period shall apply (unless otherwise indicated below).
The Adviser may provide interest lists to broker-dealers who execute securities transactions for the Fund without entering into a non-disclosure agreement with the broker-dealers, provided that the interest list satisfies all of the following criteria: (1) the interest list must contain only the CUSIP numbers and/or ticker symbols of securities held in all 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
33
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 Fund 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 the 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 the Adviser pursuant to regulatory requirements or for legitimate business purposes, which may include risk management, or may be reported by the Fund’s counterparties to certain global trade repositories pursuant to regulatory requirements.
The Adviser and/or the Fund 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 |
KellyCo Marketing |
Monthly basis and Quarterly basis |
Varying lag times after the date of the information |
Commcise Software Limited |
Monthly basis |
Approximately three business days |
Virtu Financial, Inc. |
Monthly basis |
Approximately three business days |
RR Donnelley & Sons Company |
Monthly basis and Quarterly basis |
Varying lag times after the date of the information |
Toppan Merrill |
Semi-Annual basis |
Approximately 15 business days after month end |
Fund Rating Agencies |
|
|
Refinitiv Lipper |
Monthly basis |
Approximately six business days after month end |
Portfolio Analytics Providers |
|
|
Bloomberg Finance, L.P. |
Daily basis |
Daily |
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. |
Daily basis |
Daily |
BestX Ltd. |
Daily basis |
Daily |
Abel Noser Solutions, LLC |
Daily basis |
Daily |
MSCI Inc. |
Daily basis |
Daily |
1 | Dissemination of portfolio holdings information to entities listed above may occur less frequently than indicated (or not at all). |
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.
Board of Trustees
General. The Board of Trustees of the Fund oversees the management of the Fund, but does not itself manage the Fund. The Trustees review various services provided by or under the direction of the Adviser to ensure that the Fund’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 Fund in a satisfactory manner.
34
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 Fund 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 Fund and its shareholders.
Trustees and Officers. The Board of the Fund 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 are the “non-interested” or “Independent” Trustees as defined under the 1940 Act.
Board Structure and Oversight Function. The Board’s leadership structure features an Independent Trustee serving as Chairperson and the Board Committees described below. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the preparation of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairperson also presides at all meetings of the Board and is involved in discussions regarding matters pertaining to the oversight of the management of the Fund between meetings.
The Board of Trustees operates using a system of committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of all matters of importance to the Trustees, the Fund and Fund shareholders, and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and oversight of the Fund’s activities and associated risks. The Board of Trustees has established 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 Fund. The responsibilities of each committee, including their oversight responsibilities, are described further under the caption “Independent Trustees and the Committees.”
The Fund is subject to a number of risks, including investment, compliance, operational and valuation risk, among others. The Board of Trustees oversees these risks as part of its broader oversight of the Fund’s affairs through various Board and committee activities. The Board has adopted, and periodically reviews, policies and procedures designed to address various risks to the Fund. In addition, appropriate personnel, including but not limited to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, members of the Fund’s administration and accounting teams, representatives from the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, the Fund’s Treasurer, portfolio management personnel, risk management personnel and independent valuation and brokerage evaluation service providers, make regular reports regarding the Fund’s activities and related risks to the Board of Trustees and the committees, as appropriate. These reports include, among others, quarterly performance reports, quarterly risk reports and discussions with members of the risk teams relating to each asset class. The Board’s committee structure allows separate committees to focus on different aspects of risk and the potential impact of these risks on some or all of the funds in the complex and then report back to the full Board. In between regular meetings, Fund officers also communicate with the Trustees regarding material exceptions and items relevant to the Board’s risk oversight function. The Board recognizes that it is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund, and that it is not possible to develop processes and controls to eliminate all of the risks that may affect the Fund. Moreover, the Board recognizes that it may be necessary for the Fund to bear certain risks (such as investment risk) to achieve its investment objective.
As needed between meetings of the Board, the Board or a specific committee receives and reviews reports relating to the Fund and engages in discussions with appropriate parties relating to the Fund’s operations and related risks.
Trustees. The Fund seeks as Trustees individuals of distinction and experience in business and finance, government service or academia. In determining that a particular Trustee was and continues to be qualified to serve as Trustee, the Board has considered a variety of criteria, none of which, in isolation, was controlling. Based on a review of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Trustee, including those enumerated in the table below, the Board has determined that each of the Trustees is qualified to serve as a Trustee of the Fund. In addition, the Board believes that, collectively, the Trustees have balanced and diverse experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that allow the Board to operate effectively in governing the Fund and protecting the interests of shareholders. Information about the Fund’s Governance Committee and Board of Trustees nomination process is provided below under the caption “Independent Trustees and the Committees.”
The Trustees of the Fund, 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 January 1, 2025). 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”).
35
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Frank L. Bowman |
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). |
79 |
Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a former member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various nonprofit organizations; formerly, Director of BP, plc (November 2010-May 2019). |
36
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Frances L. Cashman |
Trustee |
Since February 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). |
80 |
Trustee and Member of Advancement and Investment Committees, Cristo Ray 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 |
Trustee |
Since |
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). |
78 |
Board Member, University of Albany Foundation (2012-present); Board Member, Mutual Funds Directors Forum (2014-2024); Director of various non-profit organizations. |
37
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Nancy C. Everett |
Trustee |
Since |
Interim Vice President for Investment Management of 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 of 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). |
80 |
Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010). |
38
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Richard G. Gould III |
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). |
80 |
Global Management Committee Member, CLSA (2014-2020); Broking Executive Committee Member, CLSA (2014-2020). |
Eddie A. Grier |
Trustee |
Since February 2022 |
Dean, Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business (since July 2021); Dean, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business (2010-2021); President and various other roles, Walt Disney Company (entertainment and media) (1981-2010). |
80 |
Director, Witt/Kieffer, Inc. (executive search) (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). |
39
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Jakki L. Haussler |
Trustee |
Since |
Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since January 2023) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2015); Chairman, Opus Capital Group (since 1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005-July 2008). |
80 |
Director, 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 (Since 2018) and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director, Barnes Group Inc. (2021-January 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 |
Trustee |
Since |
Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Fixed Income, Liquidity and Alternatives Investment Committee (since January 2021), Chairperson of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006); Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. |
79 |
Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction). |
40
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Michael F. Klein |
Trustee |
Since |
Chairperson of the Risk Committee (since January 2021); Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (2006-2020) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999). |
79 |
Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals). |
41
Name, Address and Birth Year of Independent Trustee |
Position(s) Held with Registrant |
Length of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Other Relevant Professional Experience |
Number of Funds |
Other Directorships Held by Independent Trustee During Past 5 Years** |
Patricia A. Maleski |
Trustee |
Since |
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). |
80 |
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 |
Chair of the Board and Trustee |
Chair of the Board since August 2020 and Trustee since August 2006 |
Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005). |
79 |
Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015). |
* | This is the earliest date the Trustee began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected. |
** | This includes any directorships at public companies and registered investment companies held by the Trustee at any time during the past five years. |
The executive officers of the Fund, 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 April 1, 2025).
42
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 |
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 |
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 |
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002 |
Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Treasurer (since July 2003) and Principal Financial Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since September 2002). |
Mary E. Mullin |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer |
Since June 1999 |
Managing Director (since 2018) and Chief Legal Officer (since 2016) of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since 1999) and Chief Legal Officer (since 2016) of various Morgan Stanley Funds. |
Michael J. Key |
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 its affiliates serve as assistant secretaries of the Fund: Nicholas DiLorenzo and Francesca Mead.
It is a policy of the Fund’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 Fund and in the Family of Investment Companies (Family of Investment Companies includes all of the registered investment companies advised by the Adviser and Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP), 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 Fund |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
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 III |
None |
over $100,000 |
Eddie A. Grier |
None |
over $100,000 |
Jakki L. Haussler |
None |
over $100,000 |
Manuel H. Johnson |
None |
over $100,000 |
Patricia A. Maleski |
None |
over $100,000 |
W. Allen Reed1 |
None |
over $100,000 |
1 | Includes the total amount of compensation deferred by the Trustee at his election pursuant to a deferred compensation plan. Such deferred compensation is placed in a deferral account and deemed to be invested in one or more of the Morgan Stanley Funds (or portfolio thereof) that are offered as investment options under the plan. |
As to each Independent Trustee and his or her immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities of an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with an investment adviser or principal underwriter of the Fund.
As of April 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 the Fund.
43
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 Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; directing investigations into matters within the scope of the independent registered public accounting firm’s duties, including the power to retain outside specialists; reviewing with the independent registered public accounting firm the audit plan and results of the auditing engagement; approving professional services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm and other accounting firms prior to the performance of the services; reviewing the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm; considering the range of audit and non-audit fees; reviewing the adequacy of the Fund’s system of internal controls and reviewing the valuation process. The Fund has adopted a formal, written Audit Committee Charter.
The members of the Audit Committee of the Fund are Nancy C. Everett, Eddie A. Grier and Jakki L. Haussler. None of the members of the Fund’s Audit Committee is an “interested person,” as defined under the 1940 Act, of the Fund (with such disinterested Trustees being “Independent Trustees” or individually, an “Independent Trustee”). Each Independent Trustee is also “independent” from the Fund under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (“NYSE”). The Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Fund is Jakki L. Haussler.
The Board of Trustees of the Fund also has a Governance Committee. The Governance Committee identifies individuals qualified to serve as Independent Trustees on the Fund’s Board and on committees of the Board and recommends such qualified individuals for nomination by the Fund’s Independent Trustees as candidates for election as Independent Trustees, advises the Fund’s Board with respect to Board composition, procedures and committees, develops and recommends to the Fund’s Board a set of corporate governance principles applicable to the Fund, monitors and makes recommendations on corporate governance matters and policies and procedures of the Fund’s Board of Trustees and any Board committees and oversees periodic evaluations of the Fund’s Board and its committees. The members of the Governance Committee of the Fund are Kathleen A. Dennis, 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 Fund does not have a separate nominating committee. While the Fund’s Governance Committee recommends qualified candidates for nominations as Independent Trustees, the Board of Trustees of the Fund believes that the task of nominating prospective Independent Trustees is important enough to require the participation of all current Independent Trustees, rather than a separate committee consisting of only certain Independent Trustees. Accordingly, all the Independent Trustees participate in the selection and nomination of candidates for election as Independent Trustees for the Fund. Persons recommended by the Fund’s Governance Committee as candidates for nomination as Independent Trustees shall possess such experience, qualifications, attributes, skills and diversity so as to enhance the Board’s ability to manage and direct the affairs and business of the Fund, including, when applicable, to enhance the ability of committees of the Board to fulfill their duties and/or to satisfy any independence requirements imposed by law, regulation or any listing requirements of the NYSE. While the Independent Trustees of the Fund expect to be able to continue to identify from their own resources an ample number of qualified candidates for the Fund’s Board as they deem appropriate, they will consider nominations from shareholders to the Board. Nominations from shareholders should be in writing and sent to the Independent Trustees as described below under the caption “Shareholder Communications.”
The Board formed the Compliance and Insurance Committee to address insurance coverage and oversee the compliance function for the Fund and the Board. The Compliance and Insurance Committee consists of Frank L. Bowman, Kathleen A. Dennis, Richard G. Gould III 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 Fund’s portfolio investment process and review the performance of the Fund’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 Fund’s Investment Advisory and Administration Agreements. Each Investment Committee focuses on the Fund’s primary areas of
44
investment, namely equities, fixed income, liquidity and alternatives. Kathleen A. Dennis, Nancy C. Everett, Eddie A. Grier, Jakki L. Haussler, Michael F. Klein and Richard G. Gould III 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 Fund’s risks, including investment risks, operational risks and risks posed by the Fund’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 Fund 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 Fund’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the Board of Trustees held the following meetings:
|
Number of Meetings |
Board of Trustees/Committee |
|
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 Ray 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
45
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 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 Fund’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.
Ms. Maleski has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and extensive experience with registered investment companies, including serving as Director or Trustee of various other funds in the Fund Complex, where she serves as Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee. 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.
46
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 Fund’s management believe that having the same Independent Trustees for each of the Morgan Stanley Funds avoids the duplication of effort that would arise from having different groups of individuals serving as Independent Trustees for each of the funds or even of sub-groups of funds. They believe that having the same individuals serve as Independent Trustees of all the Morgan Stanley Funds tends to increase their knowledge and expertise regarding matters which affect the Fund Complex generally and enhances their ability to negotiate on behalf of each fund with the fund’s service providers. This arrangement also precludes the possibility of separate groups of Independent Trustees arriving at conflicting decisions regarding operations and management of the funds and avoids the cost and confusion that would likely ensue. Finally, having the same Independent Trustees serve on all fund boards enhances the ability of each fund to obtain, at modest cost to each separate fund, the services of Independent Trustees of the caliber, experience and business acumen of the individuals who serve as Independent Trustees of the Morgan Stanley Funds.
Trustee and Officer Indemnification. The Fund’s Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Fund is liable to the Fund or to a shareholder, nor is any Trustee, officer, employee or agent liable to any third persons in connection with the affairs of the Fund, except as such liability may arise from his/her or its own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his/her or its duties. It also provides that all third persons shall look solely to Fund property for satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Fund. With the exceptions stated, the Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee, officer, employee or agent is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Fund.
Shareholder Communications. Shareholders may send communications to the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Shareholders should send communications intended for the Fund’s Board of Trustees 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 Fund’s office or directly to such Board member(s) at the address specified for each Trustee previously noted. Other shareholder communications received by the Fund not directly addressed and sent to the Board will be reviewed and generally responded to by management, and will be forwarded to the Board only at management’s discretion based on the matters contained therein.
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 funds. The Chair of the Boards receives a total annual retainer fee of $630,000 for his services provided to each Board.
The Fund also reimburses such Trustees for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in connection with attending such meetings. Trustees of the Fund who are employed by the Adviser receive no compensation or expense reimbursement from the Fund for their services as Trustee.
Effective April 1, 2004, the Fund began a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “DC Plan”), which allows each Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on the Board of Trustees throughout the year. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley Funds 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
47
the beneficiaries to the amounts held under the DC Plan are unsecured and such amounts are subject to the claims of the creditors of the Fund.
Prior to April 1, 2004, certain Morgan Stanley Funds maintained a similar Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Prior DC Plan”), which also allowed each Independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she received for serving on the Board of Trustees throughout the year. Generally, the DC Plan amends and supersedes the Prior DC Plan and all amounts payable under the Prior DC Plan are now subject to the terms of the DC Plan (except for amounts paid during the calendar year 2004, which remain subject to the terms of the Prior DC Plan).
The following table shows aggregate compensation payable to each of the Fund’s Trustees from the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and the aggregate compensation payable to each of the Fund’s Trustees by the Fund Complex (which includes all of the Morgan Stanley Funds) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2024.
Compensation1 |
||
Name |
Aggregate Compensation from the Fund for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 20242 |
Total Compensation from Fund and Fund Complex Paid to the Trustees3 |
Frank L. Bowman |
$1,845 |
$400,000 |
Frances L. Cashman2,3 |
1,545 |
335,000 |
Kathleen A. Dennis |
1,776 |
385,000 |
Nancy C. Everett |
1,774 |
385,000 |
Richard G. Gould III4 |
829 |
195,417 |
Eddie A. Grier |
1,544 |
335,000 |
Jakki L. Haussler |
1,913 |
415,000 |
Manuel H. Johnson |
1,776 |
385,000 |
Michael F. Klein2,3 |
1,776 |
385,000 |
Patricia A. Maleski |
1,544 |
335,000 |
W. Allen Reed3 |
2,907 |
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 Fund’s fiscal year. The following Trustees deferred compensation from the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024: Ms. Cashman, $772 and Mr. Klein, $1,776. |
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 Trustees 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 plan 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 Fund, 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 Fund’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.
|
Retirement Benefits Accrued as Fund Expenses by all Adopting Funds |
Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement1 from all Adopting Funds |
Name of Independent Trustee: |
|
|
Manuel H. Johnson2 |
$(18,530) |
$52,976 |
1 | Total compensation accrued under the retirement plan, together with a return of 8% per annum, will be paid annually commencing upon retirement and continuing for the remainder of the Trustee’s life. |
2 | 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. |
48
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The following owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund as of April 1, 2025:
Fund |
Name and Address |
% of Class |
MS Insight Fund (Class A) |
National Financial Services LLC* |
34.26% |
|
Morgan Stanley & Co |
31.69% |
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
12.23% |
MS Insight Fund (Class L) |
Morgan Stanley & Co |
76.23% |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC |
5.51% |
MS Insight Fund (Class I) |
Morgan Stanley & Co |
16.29% |
|
Pershing LLC |
14.12% |
|
National Financial Services LLC |
13.52% |
|
Charles Schwab & Co Inc |
13.32% |
|
LPL Financial |
10.81% |
|
RBC Capital Markets LLC |
7.57% |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC |
6.60% |
49
Fund |
Name and Address |
% of Class |
|
Raymond James |
5.71% |
MS Insight Fund (Class C) |
Morgan Stanley & Co* |
30.98% |
|
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC |
26.96% |
|
National Financial Services LLC |
8.09% |
|
Pershing LLC |
8.06% |
|
Raymond James |
8.03% |
|
LPL Financial |
5.92% |
|
RBC Capital Markets LLC |
5.04% |
MS Insight Fund (Class R6) |
Vanguard Brokerage Services |
42.40% |
|
FIIOC FBO Loring Wolcott |
22.68% |
|
Edward D Jones & CO |
11.41% |
|
National Financial Services LLC |
8.30% |
50
Fund |
Name and Address |
% of Class |
|
Pershing LLC |
5.17% |
MS Insight Fund (Class IR) |
Morgan Stanley Investment Management |
100% |
* | The persons listed above as owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) such Fund. As a result, those persons would have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the respective Fund on any matter requiring the approval of shareholders of the Fund. |
The percentage ownership of shares of the Fund changes from time to time depending on purchases and redemptions by shareholders and the total number of shares outstanding.
As of April 1, 2025, no person was known by the Fund to own beneficially or of record 5% or more of any outstanding class of shares of the Fund not listed above.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
Adviser and Administrator
The Adviser to the Fund is Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., a Delaware corporation, whose address is 1585 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a Delaware corporation traded on the NYSE under the symbol “MS.” 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.
Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) with the Adviser, the Fund has retained the Adviser to manage and/or oversee the investment of the Fund’s assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Fund pays the Adviser monthly compensation calculated daily by applying the following annual rates to the daily net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.67% of the portion of daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.645% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.62% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.595% of the portion of daily net assets exceeding $3 billion. The investment advisory fee is allocated among the classes pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each class.
Administration services are provided to the Fund by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, pursuant to a separate administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) entered into by the Fund with the Administrator. The Fund pays the Administrator monthly compensation which on an annual basis equals 0.08% of 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 the Fund, if necessary, if such fees would cause the total annual operating expenses of the Fund to exceed 1.27% for Class A, 1.77% for Class L, 0.92% for Class I, 2.02% for Class C, 0.85% for Class R6 and 0.85% for Class IR. In determining the actual amount of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements 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 Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate. The Adviser and Administrator may make additional voluntary fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. The Adviser and Administrator may discontinue these voluntary fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements at any time in the future.
The Fund may gain exposure to bitcoin and other assets by investing up to 25% of its total assets in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Subsidiary has entered into a separate contract with the Adviser whereby the Adviser provides investment advisory and other services to the Subsidiary. In consideration of these services, the Subsidiary will pay to the Manager at the end of each of the Subsidiary’s fiscal quarters, an advisory fee calculated by applying a quarterly rate, based on the annual percentage rate of 0.05%, to the average daily net assets of the Subsidiary for the quarter. The Adviser will waive or credit such amounts against the fees payable to the Adviser by the Fund.
The Fund and the Subsidiary have entered into contracts for the provision of custody and audit services with service providers.
51
The Subsidiary is managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Fund. As a result, the Adviser, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Fund (as discussed above, the Subsidiary may invest in cash settled bitcoin futures or Bitcoin ETFs) and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage and the timing and method of valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. Certain of these policies and restrictions are described in detail in this SAI.
The consolidated financial statements of the Subsidiary are included in the Fund’s report filed on Form N-CSR for the Fund.
The following table reflects for the Fund (i) the advisory fee paid; and (ii) the advisory fee waived and/or affiliated rebates for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024:
Advisory Fees Paid |
Advisory Fees Waived |
Affiliated Rebates |
||||||
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
$17,000,998 |
$9,651,757 |
$8,587,800 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$57,793 |
$46,421 |
$43,885 |
For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Fund paid compensation under its Administration Agreement as follows (no administration fees were waived):
Compensation Paid for the Fiscal Year Ended |
||
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
$2,133,927 |
$1,187,371 |
$1,055,093 |
Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund. The Administrator supervises and monitors the administrative and accounting services provided by State Street. Their services are also subject to the supervision of the officers and Board of Trustees of the Fund. State Street’s business address is One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114.
The Fund’s principal underwriter is Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (which has the same address as the Adviser). In this capacity, the Fund’s shares are distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor has entered into a selected dealer agreement with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, which through their own sales organizations sell shares of the Fund. In addition, the Distributor may enter into similar agreements with other selected broker-dealers. The Distributor, a Delaware corporation, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley.
The Distributor bears all expenses it may incur in providing services under the Distribution Agreement. These expenses include the payment to Financial Intermediaries of any sales commissions, service fees and other expenses for sales of the Fund’s shares incurred or paid by Financial Intermediaries. The Distributor also pays certain expenses in connection with the distribution of the Fund’s shares, including the costs of preparing, printing and distributing advertising or promotional materials used in connection with the offering and sale of the Fund’s shares. The Fund bears all other costs associated with the preparation, filing, typesetting, printing and distribution of prospectuses and statements of additional information and supplements thereto, as well as shareholder reports and proxy materials, to shareholders. The Fund also bears the costs of registering the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws and pays filing fees in accordance with state securities laws.
The Fund and the Distributor have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor uses its best efforts in rendering services to the Fund, but in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations, the Distributor is not liable to the Fund or any of its shareholders for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any act or omission or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its shareholders.
Services Provided by the Adviser and Administrator
The Adviser manages the investment of the Fund’s assets, including the placing of orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. The Adviser obtains and evaluates the information and advice relating to the economy, securities markets and specific securities as it considers necessary or useful to continuously manage the assets of the Fund in a manner consistent with its investment objective.
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Administrator maintains certain of the Fund’s books and records and furnishes, at its own expense, the office space, facilities, equipment, clerical help and bookkeeping as the Fund may reasonably require
52
in the conduct of its business. The Administrator also assists in the preparation of prospectuses, proxy statements and reports required to be filed with federal and state securities commissions (except insofar as the participation or assistance of the independent registered public accounting firm and attorneys is, in the opinion of the Administrator, necessary or desirable). The Administrator also bears the cost of telephone service, heat, light, power and other utilities provided to the Fund.
Expenses not expressly assumed by the Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement or by the Administrator under the Administration Agreement or by the Distributor will be paid by the Fund. These expenses will be allocated among the six classes of shares pro rata based on the net assets of the Fund attributable to each class, except as described below. Such expenses include, but are not limited to: expenses of the Plan of Distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1; charges and expenses of any registrar, custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing agent; brokerage commissions; taxes; registration costs of the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws; the cost and expense of printing, including typesetting, and distributing prospectuses of the Fund and supplements thereto to the Fund’s shareholders; all expenses of shareholders’ and Trustees’ meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing of proxy statements and reports to shareholders; fees and travel expenses of Trustees or members of any advisory board or committee who are not employees of the Adviser or any corporate affiliate of the Adviser; all expenses incident to any dividend, withdrawal or redemption options; charges and expenses of any outside service used for pricing of the Fund’s shares; fees and expenses of legal counsel, including counsel to the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund or of the Adviser (not including compensation or expenses of attorneys who are employees of the Adviser); fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm; membership dues of industry associations; interest on Fund borrowings; postage; insurance premiums on property or personnel (including officers and Trustees) of the Fund that inure to its benefit; extraordinary expenses (including, but not limited to, legal claims and liabilities and litigation costs and any indemnification relating thereto); and all other costs of the Fund’s operation. The 12b-1 fees relating to a particular class will be allocated directly to that class. In addition, subaccounting and other expenses directly attributable to a particular class (except advisory or custodial fees) may be allocated directly to such class.
The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Adviser is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any act or omission by the Adviser or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its investors.
The Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect from year-to-year, provided continuance of the Investment Advisory Agreement is approved at least annually by the vote of the holders of a majority, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the outstanding shares of the Fund, or by the Trustees; provided that in either event such continuance is approved annually by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees.
The Administration Agreement provides that in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations thereunder, the Administrator is not liable to the Fund or any of its investors for any act or omission by the Administrator or for any losses sustained by the Fund or its investors. The Administration Agreement will continue unless terminated by either party by written notice delivered to the other party within 30 days.
Upon notice to selected broker-dealers, the Distributor may reallow up to the full applicable front-end sales charge during periods specified in such notice. During periods when 90% or more of the sales charge is reallowed, such selected broker-dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.
The Fund has adopted an Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution, effective April 30, 2015, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”), pursuant to which each class, other than Class I, Class R6 and Class IR, pays the Distributor compensation accrued daily and payable monthly at the following maximum annual rates: 0.25%, 0.75% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class A, Class L and Class C shares, respectively.
The Distributor also receives the proceeds of front-end sales charges (“FSCs”) and of contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSCs”) imposed on certain redemptions of shares, which are separate and apart from payments made pursuant to the Plan. The Distributor has informed the Fund that it and/or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC received the proceeds of CDSCs and FSCs, for the fiscal years ended December 31, as applicable, in approximate amounts as provided in the table below.
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Class |
|
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Class A |
FSCs:1 |
$568,507 |
$297,740 |
$98,292 |
Class C |
CDSCs: |
$73,046 |
$12,885 |
$6,134 |
1 | FSCs apply to Class A only. |
The entire fee payable by Class A and a portion of the fees payable by each of Class L and Class C each year pursuant to the Plan up to 0.25% of such class’ average daily net assets are currently each characterized as a “service fee” under the Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) (of which the Distributor is a member). The “service fee” is a payment made for personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. The remaining portion of the Plan fees payable by a class, if any, is characterized as an “asset-based sales charge” as such is defined by the Rules of FINRA.
Under the Plan and as required by Rule 12b-1, the Trustees receive and review promptly after the end of each calendar quarter a written report provided by the Distributor. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund made payments under the Plan amounting to $1,768,767, $112,473 and $949,785, respectively, which amounts are equal to 0.25% 0.75% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class A, Class L and Class C, respectively.
The Plan was adopted in order to permit the implementation of the Fund’s method of distribution.
With respect to Class A shares of the Fund, the Distributor generally compensates Financial Intermediaries from proceeds of the FSC, commissions for the sale of Class A shares, currently a gross sales credit of up to 5.00% of the amount sold and an annual residual commission, currently a residual of up to 0.25% of the current value of the respective accounts for which they are dealers of record in all cases.
With respect to Class C shares of the Fund, a commission or transaction fee generally will be compensated by the Distributor at the time of purchase directly out of the Distributor’s assets (and not out of the Fund’s assets) to Financial Intermediaries who initiate and are responsible for such purchases computed based on a percentage of the dollar value of such shares sold of up to 1.00% on Class C shares.
Proceeds from any CDSC and any distribution fees on Class C shares are paid to the Distributor and are used by the Distributor to defray its distribution related expenses in connection with the sale of the Fund’s shares, such as the payment to Financial Intermediaries for selling such shares. With respect to Class C shares, the Financial Intermediaries generally receive from the Distributor ongoing distribution fees of up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class C shares annually commencing in the second year after purchase.
With respect to Class L shares of the Fund, the Financial Intermediaries generally receive from the Distributor ongoing distribution fees of up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s Class L shares annually.
The distribution fee that the Distributor receives from the Fund under the Plan, in effect, offsets distribution expenses incurred under the Plan on behalf of the Fund and, in the case of Class C shares, opportunity costs, such as the gross sales credit and an assumed interest charge thereon (“carrying charge”). These expenses may include the cost of Fund-related educational and/or business-related trips or payment of Fund-related educational and/or promotional expenses of Financial Intermediaries.
The Fund may reimburse expenses incurred or to be incurred in promoting the distribution of the Fund’s Class A, Class L and Class C shares and/or in servicing shareholder accounts. Reimbursement will be made through payments at the end of each month. The amount of each monthly payment may in no event exceed an amount equal to a payment at the annual rate of 0.25% in the case of Class A, 0.75% in the case of Class L and 1.00% in the case of Class C, of the average daily net assets of the respective class during the month. No interest or other financing charges, if any, incurred on any distribution expenses on behalf of Class A, Class L and Class C shares will be reimbursable under the Plan.
Each class paid 0% of the amounts accrued under the Plan with respect to that Class for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 to the Distributor. It is estimated that the Distributor spent this amount in approximately the following ways: (i) 0% ($0) — advertising and promotional expenses; (ii) 0% ($0)— printing and mailing of prospectuses for distribution to other than current shareholders; and (iii) 0% ($0) — other expenses, including the gross sales credit and the carrying charge, of which 0% ($0) represents carrying charges, 0% ($0) represents commission credits for payments of commissions to Financial Intermediaries, and 0% ($0) represents overhead and other branch office distribution-related expenses. The amounts accrued by Class A and a portion of the amounts accrued by Class L under the Plan during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were service fees. The remainder of the amounts accrued by Class L were for expenses, which relate to compensation of sales personnel and associated overhead expenses. In the case of Class A, Class L and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25%, 0.75% or 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class A, Class L and Class C shares, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales commission credited to Financial Intermediaries at the time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. The Distributor has advised the Fund that
54
there were no unreimbursed expenses representing a gross sales commission credited to Financial Intermediaries in the case of Class A, Class L or Class C shares at December 31, 2024 (the end of the calendar year). No interest or other financing charges will be incurred on any Class A, Class L or Class C shares distribution expenses incurred by the Distributor under the Plan or on any unreimbursed expenses due to the Distributor pursuant to the Plan.
No interested person of the Fund nor any Independent Trustee has any direct financial interest in the operation of the Plan except to the extent that the Distributor, the Adviser, 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 the Plan or as a result of receiving a portion of the amounts expended thereunder by the Fund.
On an annual basis, the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, consider whether the Plan should be continued. Prior to approving the last continuation of the Plan, the Trustees requested and received from the Distributor and reviewed all the information that they deemed necessary to arrive at an informed determination. In making their determination to continue the Plan, the Trustees considered: (1) the Fund’s experience under the Plan and whether such experience indicates that the Plan is operating as anticipated; (2) the benefits the Fund had obtained, was obtaining and would be likely to obtain under the Plan, including that: (a) the Plan is essential in order to give Fund investors a choice of alternatives for payment of distribution and service charges and to enable the Fund to continue to grow and avoid a pattern of net redemptions which, in turn, are essential for effective investment management; and (b) without the compensation to individual brokers and the reimbursement of distribution and account maintenance expenses of Financial Intermediaries made possible by the 12b-1 fees, Financial Intermediaries could not establish and maintain an effective system for distribution, servicing of Fund shareholders and maintenance of shareholder accounts; and (3) what services had been provided and were continuing to be provided under the Plan to the Fund and its shareholders. Based upon their review, the Trustees, including each of the Independent Trustees, determined that continuation of the Plan would be in the best interest of the Fund and would have a reasonable likelihood of continuing to benefit the Fund and its shareholders.
The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without approval by the shareholders of the affected Class or Classes of the Fund, and all material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by the Trustees. The Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) on not more than 30 days’ written notice to any other party to the Plan. So long as the Plan is in effect, the election and nomination of Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees.
Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent
SS&C Global Investor and Distribution Solutions, Inc. (“SS&C GIDS”), 333 W 11th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105, serves as the Fund’s transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for payment of dividends and distributions on Fund shares.
Co-Transfer Agent
Eaton Vance Management is the co-transfer agent with respect to the Fund. In connection therewith, Eaton Vance Management performs certain transfer agency services related to processing and relaying purchase and redemption orders to SS&C GIDS, the Fund’s transfer agent. The Fund will bear the costs associated with Eaton Vance Management’s provision of these transfer agency services.
Custodian and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Congress Street, Boston, MA 02114, is the custodian of the Fund’s assets. Any of the Fund’s cash balances with the Custodian in excess of $250,000 are unprotected by federal deposit insurance. These balances may, at times, be substantial.
Ernst & Young LLP, located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116, serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and provides audit and audit-related services and assistance in connection with various SEC filings.
Securities Lending
Pursuant to an agreement between the Fund and State Street, the Fund may lend its securities through State Street as securities lending agent to certain qualified borrowers. As securities lending agent of the Fund, State Street administers the Fund’s securities lending program. These services include arranging the loans of securities with approved borrowers and their return to the Fund upon loan termination, negotiating the terms of such loans, selecting the securities to be loaned and monitoring dividend activity relating to loaned securities. State Street also marks-to-market daily the value of loaned securities and collateral and may require additional collateral as necessary from borrowers. State Street may also, in its capacity as securities lending agent, invest cash received as collateral in pre-approved investments in accordance with the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. State Street maintains
55
records of loans made and income derived therefrom and makes available such records that the Fund deems necessary to monitor the securities lending program.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 the Fund earned income and incurred the following costs and expenses as a result of its securities lending activities:
Gross |
Revenue |
Cash |
Administrative |
Indemnification |
Rebates to |
Other |
Total Cost |
Net Income |
$165,908 |
$21,820 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$20,430 |
$0 |
$42,250 |
$123,658 |
1 | Gross income includes income from the reinvestment of cash collateral. |
2 | Revenue split represents the share of revenue generated by the securities lending program and paid to State Street. |
3 | Cash collateral management fees include fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle that are not included in the revenue split. |
4 | These administrative fees are not included in the revenue split. |
5 | These indemnification fees are not included in the revenue split. |
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
Other Accounts Managed by Portfolio Managers at December 31, 2024 (unless otherwise indicated):
|
Other Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
|||
Portfolio Managers |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets in the Accounts |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets in the Accounts |
Number of Accounts |
Total Assets in the Accounts |
Dennis P. Lynch |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
21 |
$3.3 billion |
16 |
$3.7 billion |
Sam G. Chainani |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
20 |
$3.2 billion |
14 |
$3.6 billion |
Jason C. Yeung |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
20 |
$3.2 billion |
14 |
$3.6 billion |
Armistead B. Nash |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
20 |
$3.2 billion |
14 |
$3.6 billion |
David S. Cohen |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
20 |
$3.2 billion |
14 |
$3.6 billion |
Alexander T. Norton |
27 |
$18.6 billion |
20 |
$3.2 billion |
14 |
$3.6 billion |
Messrs. Lynch, Chainani, Yeung, Nash, Cohen and Norton manage such registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts pursuant to six primary investment strategies.
Because the portfolio managers may manage assets for other investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts (including institutional clients, pension plans and certain high net worth individuals), there may be an incentive to favor one client over another resulting in conflicts of interest. For instance, the Adviser may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund, or it may receive a performance-based fee on certain accounts. In those instances, the portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor the higher and/or performance-based fee accounts over the Fund. In addition, a conflict of interest could exist to the extent the Adviser has proprietary investments in certain accounts, where portfolio managers have personal investments in certain accounts or when certain accounts are investment options in the Adviser’s employee benefits and/or deferred compensation plans. The portfolio managers may have an incentive to favor these accounts over others. If the Adviser manages accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, the Adviser could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall. The Adviser has adopted trade allocation and other policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to address these and other conflicts of interest.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
Morgan Stanley’s compensation structure is based on a total reward system of base salary and incentive compensation, which is paid either in the form of cash bonus, or for employees meeting the specified deferred compensation eligibility threshold, partially as a cash bonus and partially as mandatory deferred compensation. Deferred compensation granted to Investment Management employees are generally granted as a mix of deferred cash awards under the Investment Management Alignment Plan (IMAP) and equity-based awards in the form of stock units. The portion of incentive compensation granted in the form of a deferred compensation award and the terms of such awards are determined annually by the Compensation, Management Development and Succession Committee of the Morgan Stanley Board of Directors.
Base salary compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Adviser.
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Incentive compensation. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary year-end compensation.
Incentive compensation may include:
■ | Cash Bonus. |
■ | Deferred Compensation: |
■ | A mandatory program that defers a portion of incentive compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock or other plans that are subject to vesting and other conditions. |
■ | IMAP is a cash-based deferred compensation plan designed to increase the alignment of participants’ interests with the interests of the Advisor’s clients. For eligible employees, a portion of their deferred compensation is mandatorily deferred into IMAP on an annual basis. Awards granted under IMAP are notionally invested in referenced funds available pursuant to the plan, which are funds advised by MSIM and its affiliates that are investment advisers. Portfolio managers are required to notionally invest a minimum of 40% of their account balance in the designated funds that they manage and are included in the IMAP notional investment fund menu. |
■ | Deferred compensation awards are typically subject to vesting over a multi-year period and are subject to cancellation through the payment date for competition, cause (i.e., any act or omission that constitutes a breach of obligation to the Company, including failure to comply with internal compliance, ethics or risk management standards, and failure or refusal to perform duties satisfactorily, including supervisory and management duties), disclosure of proprietary information, and solicitation of employees or clients. Awards are also subject to clawback through the payment date if an employee’s act or omission (including with respect to direct supervisory responsibilities) causes a restatement of the Firm’s consolidated financial results, constitutes a violation of the Firm’s global risk management principles, policies and standards, or causes a loss of revenue associated with a position on which the employee was paid and the employee operated outside of internal control policies. |
MSIM compensates employees based on principles of pay-for-performance, market competitiveness and risk management. Eligibility for, and the amount of any, discretionary compensation is subject to a multi-dimensional process. Specifically, consideration is given to one or more of the following factors, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances:
■ | Revenue and profitability of the business and/or each fund/account managed by the portfolio manager |
■ | Revenue and profitability of the Firm |
■ | Return on equity and risk factors of both the business units and Morgan Stanley |
■ | Assets managed by the portfolio manager |
■ | External market conditions |
■ | New business development and business sustainability |
■ | Contribution to client objectives |
■ | Team, product and/or MSIM and its affiliates that are investment advisers performance |
■ | The pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager (which may, in certain cases, be measured against the applicable benchmark(s) and/or peer group(s) over one, three and five-year periods) |
■ | Individual contribution and performance |
Further, the Firm’s Global Incentive Compensation Discretion Policy requires compensation managers to consider only legitimate, business related factors when exercising discretion in determining variable incentive compensation, including adherence to Morgan Stanley’s core values, conduct, disciplinary actions in the current performance year, risk management and risk outcomes.
Securities Ownership of Portfolio Managers
As of December 31, 2024, the dollar range of securities beneficially owned (or held notionally through IMAP) by each portfolio manager in the Fund is shown below:
Dennis P. Lynch |
Over $1 million |
Sam G. Chainani |
$500,001 - $1,000,000 |
Jason C. Yeung |
Over $1 million |
Armistead B. Nash |
Over $1 million |
David S. Cohen |
$10,001 - $50,000 |
Alexander T. Norton |
None |
The Fund, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics are designed to detect and prevent improper personal trading. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased, sold or held by the Fund, subject to a number of
57
restrictions and controls, including prohibitions against purchases of securities in an initial public offering and a preclearance requirement with respect to personal securities transactions.
Proxy Voting Policy and Proxy Voting Record
The Board of Trustees believes that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Fund is an important element of the overall investment process. As such, the Trustees have delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to the Adviser.
A copy of the Adviser’s Proxy Voting Policy (“Proxy Policy”) is attached hereto as Appendix A. In addition, a copy of the Proxy Policy, as well as the Fund’s most recent proxy voting record for the 12-month period ended June 30, as filed with the SEC, are available without charge on our web site at www.morganstanley.com/im. The Fund’s proxy voting record is also available without charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov.
This section does not apply to Class R6 shares. The Adviser and/or the Distributor may pay compensation, out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Fund, to certain Financial Intermediaries, including recordkeepers and administrators of various deferred compensation plans, in connection with the sale, distribution, marketing and retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. For example, the Adviser or the Distributor may pay additional compensation to a Financial Intermediary for, among other things, promoting the sale and distribution of Fund shares, providing access to various programs, mutual fund platforms or preferred or recommended mutual fund lists that may be offered by a Financial Intermediary, granting the Distributor access to a Financial Intermediary’s financial advisors and consultants, providing assistance in the ongoing education and training of a Financial Intermediary’s financial personnel, furnishing marketing support, maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, recordkeeping, administrative, shareholder or transaction processing services. Such payments are in addition to any distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and/or transfer agency fees that may be payable by the Fund. The additional payments may be based on various factors, including level of sales (based on gross or net sales or some specified minimum sales or some other similar criteria related to sales of the Fund and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds), amount of assets invested by the Financial Intermediary’s customers (which could include current or aged assets of the Fund and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds), the 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 Financial 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;
(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 Fund and certain other products managed and/or sponsored by the Adviser or its affiliates;
(3) on Class I, Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund held in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC brokerage and advisory accounts, an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.12% of the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period;
(4) on Class A and Class I shares of the Fund held in an account through certain 401(k) platforms in Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s Corporate Retirement Solutions, an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.20% of the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period; and
(5) on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares (for which no initial sales charge was paid), Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC may, at the discretion of the Distributor, receive a gross sales credit of up to 1.00% of the amount sold*; and
(6) on Class IR shares of the Fund, an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 25% of the advisory fee the Adviser receives from the Fund based on the average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period.
With respect to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, these payments may include the following amounts, which are paid in accordance with the applicable compensation structure:
(1) on shares of the Fund, a fee in an amount up to 20% of the advisory fee the Adviser receives from the Fund attributable to such shares for the applicable period, not to exceed one year.
With respect to other Financial Intermediaries, these payments may include the following amounts, which are paid in accordance with the applicable compensation structure for each Financial Intermediary:
(1) on Class I, Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund, reimbursement for ticket charges applied to Fund shares;
58
(2) on Class I, Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund held in brokerage and/or advisory program accounts, an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.225% of the total average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period;
(3) an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 0.25% on sales of Class I, Class A, Class L and Class C shares of the Fund through brokerage accounts; and
(4) on purchases of $1 million or more of Class A shares (for which no initial sales charge was paid), Financial Intermediaries may, at the discretion of the Distributor, receive a gross sales credit of up to 1.00% of the amount sold*; and
(5) on Class IR shares of the Fund, an ongoing annual fee in an amount up to 25% of the advisory fee the Adviser receives from the Fund based on the average daily NAV of such shares for the applicable quarterly period.
* Commissions or transaction fees paid when Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other Financial Intermediaries initiate and are responsible for purchases of $1 million or more are computed on a percentage of the dollar value of such shares sold as follows: 1.00% on sales of $1 million to $4 million, plus 0.50% on sales over $4 million to $15 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $15 million. Purchases of Class A shares for which no initial sales charge is paid are subject to a CDSC of 1.00% if the redemption of such shares occurs within 12 months after purchase. The full amount of such CDSC will be retained by the Distributor.
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 disclosure provided by Financial Intermediaries as to their 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 the 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 the 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.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Brokerage Transactions
Subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the Fund, the selection of brokers and dealers to effect the transactions, and the negotiation of brokerage commissions, if any. Purchases and sales of securities on a stock exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. The Fund expects that the primary market for the securities in which it intends to invest will generally be the OTC market. In the OTC market, securities 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 Fund also expects that securities will be purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the price includes a fixed amount of compensation, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. Options and futures transactions will usually be effected through a broker and a commission will be charged. On occasion, the Fund may also purchase certain money market instruments directly from an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.
Pursuant to an order issued by the SEC, the Fund 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 Fund’s Adviser.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Fund did not effect any principal transactions with Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC.
Brokerage transactions in securities listed on exchanges or admitted to unlisted trading privileges may be effected through Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and other affiliated brokers and dealers. In order for an affiliated broker or dealer to effect any portfolio transactions on an exchange for the Fund, the commissions, fees or other remuneration received by the affiliated broker or dealer must be reasonable and fair compared to the commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on an exchange during a comparable period of time. This standard would allow the affiliated broker or dealer to receive no more than the remuneration that would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker in a commensurate arm’s-length transaction. Furthermore, the Trustees, including the Independent
59
Trustees, have adopted procedures that are reasonably designed to provide that any commissions, fees or other remuneration paid to an affiliated broker or dealer are consistent with the foregoing standard. The Fund does not reduce the management fee it pays to the Adviser by any amount of the brokerage commissions it may pay to an affiliated broker or dealer.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the Fund paid a total of $1,210,868, $797,002 and $952,457 respectively, in brokerage commissions.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the Fund paid $7,480, $3,853 and $11,416 respectively, in brokerage commissions to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and/or its affiliated broker or dealer. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the brokerage commissions paid to Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and/or its affiliated broker-dealers represented 1.20% of the total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund during the period and were paid on account of transactions having an aggregate dollar value equal to 0.31% of the aggregate dollar value of all portfolio transactions of the Fund during the period for which commissions were paid.
The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the 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.
On occasion, the 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 Fund 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 Fund in accordance with their 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 Fund, 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 annually 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 Risk Subcommittee, as well as other Committees and forums, where relevant. 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 the 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
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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.
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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 their 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.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 the Fund did not purchase securities issued by issuers who were among the ten brokers or ten dealers that executed transactions for or with the Fund in the largest dollar amounts during the period. At December 31, 2024, the Fund did not own any securities issued by any of such issuers.
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund generally does not invest for short-term trading purposes; however, when circumstances warrant, the Fund may sell investment securities without regard to the length of time they have been held. Market conditions in a given year could result in a higher or lower portfolio turnover rate than expected and the Fund will not consider portfolio turnover rate a limiting factor in making investment decisions consistent with its investment objectives and policies. Higher portfolio turnover (e.g., over 100%) necessarily will cause the Fund to pay correspondingly increased brokerage and trading costs. In addition to transaction costs, higher portfolio turnover may result in the realization of capital gains. As discussed under “Taxes,” to the extent net short-term capital gains are realized, any distributions resulting from such gains are considered ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER SECURITIES
The shareholders of the Fund are entitled to a full vote for each full share of beneficial interest held. The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. All shares of beneficial interest of the 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. Also, Class A, Class L and Class C shares bear expenses related to the distribution of their respective shares.
The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to authorize the creation of additional series of shares (the proceeds of which would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios) and additional classes of shares within any series. The Trustees have not presently authorized any such additional series or classes of shares other than as set forth in the Prospectus.
The Fund is not required to hold annual meetings of shareholders and in ordinary circumstances the Fund 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 Fund 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 the Fund. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Fund, requires that notice of such Fund obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification out of the Fund’s property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Fund. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Fund itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and the nature of the Trust’s assets and operations, the possibility of the Fund being unable to meet its obligations is remote and thus, in the opinion of Massachusetts counsel to the Fund, the risk to Fund 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 Fund.
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PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
The Fund has suspended offering Class L shares of the Fund for sale to all investors. The Class L shareholders of the Fund do not have the option of purchasing additional Class L shares, respectively. However, the existing Class L shareholders may invest in additional shares of their respective class through reinvestment of dividends and distributions.
Purchase/Redemption of Shares
Information concerning how Fund shares are offered to the public (and how they are redeemed and exchanged) is provided in the Fund’s Prospectus.
Suspension of Redemptions. Redemptions are not made on days during which the NYSE is closed. The right of redemption may be suspended and the payment therefore may be postponed for more than seven days during any period when (a) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekends or holidays; (b) the SEC determines trading on the NYSE is restricted; (c) the SEC determines an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the value of its net assets; or (d) the SEC, by order, so permits.
Transfer Agent as Agent. With respect to the redemption or repurchase of Fund shares, the application of proceeds to the purchase of new shares in the Fund or any other Morgan Stanley Funds and the general administration of the exchange privilege, the Transfer Agent acts as agent for the Distributor and for the shareholder’s authorized broker-dealer, if any, in the performance of such functions. With respect to exchanges, redemptions or repurchases, the Transfer Agent is liable for its own negligence and not for the default or negligence of its correspondents or for losses in transit. The Fund is not liable for any default or negligence of the Transfer Agent, the Distributor or any authorized broker-dealer.
The Distributor and any authorized broker-dealer have appointed the Transfer Agent to act as their agent in connection with the application of proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares to the purchase of shares of any other Morgan Stanley Fund and the general administration of the exchange privilege. No commission or discounts will be paid to the Distributor or any authorized broker-dealer for any transaction pursuant to the exchange privilege.
Transfers of Shares. In the event a shareholder requests a transfer of Fund shares to a new registration, the shares will be transferred without sales charge at the time of transfer. With regard to the status of shares which are either subject to the CDSC or free of such charge (and with regard to the length of time shares subject to the charge have been held), any transfer involving less than all of the shares in an account will be made on a pro rata basis (that is, by transferring shares in the same proportion that the transferred shares bear to the total shares in the account immediately prior to the transfer). The transferred shares will continue to be subject to any applicable CDSC as if they had not been so transferred.
Outside Brokerage Accounts/Limited Portability. Most Fund shareholders hold their shares with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Please note that your ability to transfer your Fund shares to a brokerage account at another securities dealer may be limited. Fund shares may only be transferred to accounts held at securities dealers or Financial Intermediaries. After a transfer, you may purchase additional shares of the Morgan Stanley Fund(s) you owned before the transfer and, in most instances, you will also be able to purchase shares of most other Morgan Stanley Funds. If you transfer shares of a fund that is not a Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund (for example, a Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund) you will not be able to exchange shares of that fund for any other Morgan Stanley Fund after the transfer.
If you wish to transfer Fund shares to a securities dealer or other financial intermediary that has not entered into an agreement with the Distributor, you may request that the securities dealer or financial intermediary maintain the shares in an account at the Transfer Agent registered in the name of such securities dealer or financial intermediary for your benefit. You may also hold your Fund shares in your own name directly with the Transfer Agent. In either case, you will continue to have the ability to purchase additional Morgan Stanley Funds and will have full exchange privileges. Other options may also be available; please check with the respective securities dealer or financial intermediary. If you choose not to hold your shares with the Transfer Agent, either directly or through a securities dealer or other financial intermediary, you must redeem your shares and pay any applicable CDSC.
The Fund’s Class I, Class C, Class R6 and Class IR shares are offered at NAV and the Class A shares are offered at NAV plus any applicable FSC which is distributed among the Fund’s Distributor, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and other Financial Intermediaries as described in “Investment Advisory and Other Services — Rule 12b-1 Plan.” The NAV of the Fund (excluding sales charges) is based on the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. NAV of each Class is calculated by dividing the value of the portion of the Fund’s securities and other assets attributable to that Class, less the total market value of the liabilities attributable to that Class, by the number of shares of that Class outstanding. The assets of each Class of shares are invested in a single portfolio. The NAV of each Class, however, will differ because the Classes have different ongoing fees.
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In the calculation of the Fund’s NAV: (1) an equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges; and (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which OTC market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sale price (or at the market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from the relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market. When no market quotations are readily available for a security or other asset, including as a result of the occurrence of a significant event or circumstances under which the Adviser determines that a market quotation is not accurate or reliable, fair value for the security or other asset will be determined in good faith using methods approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. For valuation purposes, quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE.
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, so long as the Adviser believes there generally remains an adequate market to obtain reliable and accurate market quotations.
Certain of the Fund’s portfolio securities may be valued using as an input evaluated prices provided by an approved outside pricing service. Prices obtained from these approved sources are monitored and reviewed by the Adviser’s Valuation Committee and if not deemed to represent fair value, may be overridden and valued using procedures approved by the Board. The pricing service may utilize a matrix system or other model incorporating attributes such as security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing service. Pricing services generally value securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but the Fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots often trade at lower prices than institutional round lots.
Listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sale price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. If an exchange closing price or bid and asked prices are not available from the exchange, then the quotes from one or more brokers or dealers may be used. Unlisted options and swaps are valued by an approved outside pricing service or quotes from a broker or dealer. Unlisted options and swaps cleared on a clearinghouse or exchange may be valued using the closing price provided by the clearinghouse or exchange. Futures are valued at the settlement price on the exchange on which they trade or, if a settlement price is unavailable, then at the last sale price on the exchange.
If the Adviser determines that the valuation received from the outside pricing service or broker or dealer is not reflective of the security’s market value, such security is valued at its fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
Generally, trading in foreign securities, as well as corporate bonds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments, is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of such securities used in computing the NAV of the Fund are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates are also generally determined prior to the close of the NYSE. Occasionally, events which may affect the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of the NYSE. If events that may affect the value of such securities occur during such period, then these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith using methods approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
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.
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The 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.
The Fund generally will make two basic types of distributions: ordinary dividends and long-term capital gain distributions. These two types of distributions are reported differently on a shareholder’s income tax return. The tax treatment of the investment activities of the Fund will affect the amount, timing and character of the distributions made by the Fund. The following discussion is only a summary of certain tax considerations generally affecting the Fund and shareholders of the Fund and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Tax issues relating to the Fund are not generally a consideration for shareholders such as tax-exempt entities and tax-advantaged retirement vehicles such as an IRA or 401(k) plan. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax professionals regarding specific questions as to federal, state or local taxes.
Investment Company Taxation. The Fund intends to continue to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As such, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders. If the Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, 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.
The Fund generally intends to distribute sufficient income and gains so that the Fund will not pay corporate income tax on its earnings. The Fund also generally intends to distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year a sufficient amount of ordinary income and capital gains to avoid the imposition of a 4% excise tax. However, the Fund may instead determine to retain all or part of any income or net long-term capital gains in any year for reinvestment. In such event, the Fund will pay federal income tax (and possibly excise tax) on such retained income or gains.
Gains or losses on sales of securities by the Fund will generally be long-term capital gains or losses if the securities have a tax holding period of more than one year at the time of such sale. Gains or losses on the sale of securities with a tax holding period of one year or less will be short-term capital gains or losses. Special tax rules may change the normal treatment of gains and losses recognized by the Fund when the Fund invests in forward foreign currency exchange contracts, options, futures transactions and non-U.S. corporations classified as “passive foreign investment companies.” Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term and may result in ordinary income or loss rather than capital gain or loss. The application of these special rules would therefore also affect the character of distributions made by the Fund.
The Fund’s transactions in derivatives (such as futures contracts and swaps) will be subject to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivatives may result in the Fund realizing more short-term capital gains and ordinary income subject to tax at ordinary income tax rates than it would if it did not use derivatives.
Certain foreign exchange gains and losses realized by the Fund may be treated as ordinary income and losses.
The Fund may invest in stocks of foreign companies that may be classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”). In general, a foreign company is classified as a PFIC if at least one-half of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Fund intends to mark-to-market these securities under certain provisions of the Code and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of the Fund’s fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Fund is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. In addition, if the Fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income tax and interest on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Fund to its shareholders.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes with respect to its dividend and interest income from foreign countries, and the Fund may be subject to foreign income taxes with respect to other income. If more than 50% in value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of the taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to treat certain foreign income taxes imposed on it for federal income tax purposes as paid directly by its shareholders. Because it is not anticipated that securities of
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foreign issuers will constitute more than 50% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of any taxable year, shareholders should not expect to be eligible to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns with respect to foreign taxes imposed on the Fund.
The Fund may seek to gain exposure to bitcoin through investments in the Subsidiary. Historically, the IRS has issued private letter rulings in which the IRS specifically concluded that income and gains from investments in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary that invests in commodity-linked instruments are “qualifying income” for purposes of the qualifying income test described above. The Fund has not received such a private letter ruling, and is not able to rely on private letter rulings issued to other taxpayers. Applicable Treasury regulations would generally treat the Fund’s income inclusion with respect to the Subsidiary as qualifying income either if (i) there is a current year distribution out of the earnings and profits of the Subsidiary that are attributable to such income inclusion or (ii) such inclusion is derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in stock, securities or currencies. The tax treatment of the Fund’s investments in the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, court decisions, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS that could affect whether income derived from such investments is “qualifying income” under Subchapter M of the Code, or otherwise affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund. No assurances can be provided that the IRS would not be able to successfully assert that the Fund’s income from such investments was not “qualifying income,” in which case the Fund would fail to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code if over 10% of its gross income was derived from these investments. If the Fund failed to qualify as a RIC, it would be subject to federal and state income tax on all of its taxable income at regular corporate tax rates with no deduction for any distributions paid to shareholders, which would significantly adversely affect the returns to, and could cause substantial losses for, Fund shareholders.
A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. The rules regarding whether the Subsidiary will be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business as a result of its bitcoin related investments are not certain. It is expected that the Subsidiary will conduct its activities in a manner so as to meet the requirements of a safe harbor under Section 864(b)(2) of the Code under which the Subsidiary may engage in trading in stocks or securities or certain commodities without being deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business. However, if certain of the Subsidiary’s activities were determined not to be of the type described in the safe harbor, then the activities of the Subsidiary may constitute a U.S. trade or business, or be taxed as such. In general, a foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, that does not conduct a U.S. trade or business is nonetheless subject to tax at a flat rate of 30 percent (or lower tax treaty rate), generally payable through withholding, on the gross amount of certain U.S.-source income that is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. There is presently no tax treaty in force between the U.S. and the Cayman Islands that would reduce this rate of withholding tax. It is not expected that the Subsidiary will derive income subject to such withholding tax.
The Subsidiary will be treated as a controlled foreign corporation and the Fund will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of the Subsidiary. As a result, the Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “Subpart F income,” whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s “Subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s tax basis in its respective Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of their previously undistributed “Subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s tax basis in the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset the income earned by the Fund, and such loss cannot be carried forward to offset taxable income of the Fund or the Subsidiary in future periods.
The Fund may make investments in which it recognizes income or gain prior to receiving cash with respect to such investment. For example, under certain tax rules, the Fund may be required to accrue a portion of any discount at which certain securities are purchased as income each year even though the Fund receives no payments in cash on the security during the year. To the extent that the Fund makes such investments, it generally would be required to pay out such income or gain as a distribution in each year to avoid taxation at the Fund level. Such distributions will be made from the available cash of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities if necessary. If a distribution of cash necessitates the liquidation of portfolio securities, the Adviser will select which securities to sell. The Fund may realize a gain or loss from such sales. In the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution, if any, than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Distributions from capital gains generally are made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. If the Fund incurs or has incurred capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. In the event that the Fund were to experience an ownership change as defined under the Code, the capital loss carryforwards and other favorable tax attributes of the Fund, if any, may be subject to limitation.
Risk of Failure to Qualify as a RIC. To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment generally accorded to RICs, the Fund must, among other things, derive in each taxable year at least 90% of its gross income from certain prescribed sources, meet certain asset diversification tests and distribute for each taxable year at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income” (generally, ordinary income plus the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss). If for any taxable
66
year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income for that year (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Taxation of Dividends and Distributions. Shareholders normally will be subject to regular federal income taxes, and any state and/or local income taxes, on the dividends and other distributions they receive from the Fund. Such dividends and distributions, to the extent that they are derived from net investment income or short-term capital gains, are generally taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income regardless of whether the shareholder receives such payments in additional shares or in cash. If certain holding period requirements are met with respect to a shareholder’s shares, a portion (which, if any, is not expected to be significant) of the income dividends received by a shareholder may be taxed at the same rate as long-term capital gains. However, even if income received in the form of income dividends is taxed at the same rates as long-term capital gains, such income will not be considered long-term capital gains for other federal income tax purposes. For example, you generally will not be permitted to offset income dividends with capital losses. Short-term capital gain distributions will continue to be taxed at ordinary income rates.
Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how long a shareholder has held the Fund’s shares and regardless of whether the distribution is received in additional shares or in cash. The maximum individual rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Shareholders are generally taxed on any income dividend or capital gain distributions from the Fund in the year they are actually distributed. However, if any such dividends or distributions are declared in October, November or December and paid to shareholders of record of such month in January then such amounts will be treated for tax purposes as received by the shareholders on December 31.
Subject to certain exceptions, a corporate shareholder may be eligible for a dividends received deduction to the extent that the Fund earns and distributes qualifying dividends from its investments. Distributions of net capital gains by the Fund will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction.
Individuals and certain other noncorporate entities are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to ordinary dividends received from REITs (“qualified REIT dividends”) and certain taxable income from master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) through 2025. Applicable Treasury regulations permit a regulated investment company to pass through to its shareholders qualified REIT dividends eligible for the 20% deduction. However, the regulations do not provide a mechanism for a regulated investment company to pass through to its shareholders income from MLPs that would be eligible for such deduction if received directly by the shareholders.
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 will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. tax at a rate of 30% on distributions made by the Fund of investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends 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 designate all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible dividends as exempt. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences discussed above. Such prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of dividends and distributions and the potential applicability of the U.S. estate tax. 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. 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.
After the end of each calendar year, shareholders will be sent information on their dividends and capital gain distributions for tax purposes, including the portion taxable as ordinary income, the portion taxable as long-term capital gains and the amount of any dividends eligible for the federal dividends received deduction for corporations.
Purchases and Redemptions and Exchanges of Fund Shares. Any dividend or capital gains distribution received by a shareholder from any investment company will have the effect of reducing the NAV of the shareholder’s stock in that company by the exact amount of the dividend or capital gains distribution. Furthermore, such dividends and capital gains distributions are subject to regular federal income taxes. If the NAV of the shares should be reduced below a shareholder’s cost as a result of the payment of dividends or the distribution of realized long-term capital gains, such payment or distribution would be in part a return of the
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shareholder’s investment but nonetheless would be taxable to the shareholder. Therefore, an investor should consider the tax implications of purchasing Fund shares immediately prior to a distribution record date.
Shareholders normally will be subject to regular federal income taxes, and state and/or local income taxes, on the sale or disposition of Fund shares. In general, a sale of shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder’s Fund shares is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Fund shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale or redemption will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses and those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. The maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is generally either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts.
Any loss realized by shareholders upon a sale or redemption of shares within six months of the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions of net long-term capital gains with respect to such shares during the six-month period.
Gain or loss on the sale or redemption of shares in the Fund is measured by the difference between the amount of cash received (or the fair market value of any property received) and the adjusted 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.
The Fund (or its administrative agent) is required to report to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and furnish to Fund shareholders the cost basis information for sale transactions of shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders may elect to have one of several cost basis methods applied to their account when calculating the cost basis of shares sold, including average cost, FIFO (“first-in, first-out”), or some other specific identification method. Unless you instruct otherwise, the Fund will use average cost as its default cost basis method, and will treat sales as first coming from shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012. If average cost is used for the first sale of Fund shares covered by these rules, the shareholder may only use an alternative cost basis method for shares purchased prospectively. Fund shareholders should consult with their tax advisors to determine the best cost basis method for their tax situation.
Exchanges of Fund shares for shares of another fund, including shares of other Morgan Stanley Funds, are also subject to similar tax treatment. Such an exchange is treated for tax purposes as a sale of the original shares in the Fund, followed by the purchase of shares in the other fund.
The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. In addition, if a shareholder realizes a loss on the redemption or exchange of a fund’s shares and receives securities that are considered substantially identical to that fund’s shares or reinvests in that fund’s shares or substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the redemption or exchange, the transactions may be subject to the “wash sale” rules, resulting in a postponement of the recognition of such loss for tax purposes.
Backup Withholding. The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax (currently, at a rate of 24%) (“backup withholding”) from all taxable distributions payable to (1) any shareholder who fails to furnish the Fund with its correct taxpayer identification number or a certificate that the shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, and (2) any shareholder with respect to whom the IRS notifies the Fund that the shareholder has failed to properly report certain interest and dividend income to the IRS and to respond to notices to that effect. An individual’s taxpayer identification number is his or her social security number. The 24% backup withholding tax is not an additional tax and may be credited against a taxpayer’s regular federal income tax liability.
Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
The Fund’s shares are offered to the public on a continuous basis. The Distributor, as the principal underwriter of the shares, has certain obligations under the Distribution Agreement concerning the distribution of the shares. These obligations and the compensation the Distributor receives are described above in the sections titled “Principal Underwriter” and “Rule 12b-1 Plan.”
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Average annual returns assuming deduction of maximum sales charge |
|||||
Class |
Inception Date: |
1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
Life of Fund |
Class A |
07/28/97 |
38.66% |
10.50% |
14.18% |
10.44% |
Class L |
07/28/97 |
45.63% |
11.18% |
14.25% |
9.96% |
Class I |
07/28/97 |
46.71% |
11.99% |
15.13% |
10.94% |
Class C |
04/30/15 |
44.33% |
10.88% |
N/A |
13.94%* |
Class R6 |
09/13/13 |
46.79% |
12.09% |
15.19% |
15.45% |
Class IR |
07/12/19 |
46.84% |
12.10% |
N/A |
9.94% |
Average annual returns assuming NO deduction of sales charge |
|||||
Class |
Inception Date: |
1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
Life of Fund |
Class A |
07/28/97 |
46.33% |
11.70% |
14.80% |
10.66% |
Class L |
07/28/97 |
45.63% |
11.18% |
14.25% |
9.96% |
Class I |
07/28/97 |
46.71% |
11.99% |
15.13% |
10.94% |
Class C |
04/30/15 |
45.33% |
10.88% |
N/A |
13.94%* |
Class R6 |
09/13/13 |
46.79% |
12.09% |
15.19% |
15.45% |
Class IR |
07/12/19 |
46.84% |
12.10% |
N/A |
9.94% |
Aggregate total returns assuming NO deduction of sales charge |
|||||
Class |
Inception Date: |
1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
Life of Fund |
Class A |
07/28/97 |
46.33% |
73.91% |
297.57% |
1509.49% |
Class L |
07/28/97 |
45.63% |
69.90% |
278.77% |
1252.67% |
Class I |
07/28/97 |
46.71% |
76.14% |
308.99% |
1625.24% |
Class C |
04/30/15 |
45.33% |
67.62% |
N/A |
253.29%* |
Class R6 |
09/13/13 |
46.79% |
76.91% |
311.27% |
406.87% |
Class IR |
07/12/19 |
46.84% |
77.04% |
N/A |
67.95% |
* | Class C shares will generally automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shares were purchased. Performance for periods greater than eight years reflects this conversion. |
Average annual after-tax returns assuming deduction of maximum sales charge |
|||||
Calculation Methodology |
Inception Date: |
1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
Life of Fund |
After taxes on distributions |
07/28/97 |
38.34% |
7.56% |
11.06% |
9.09% |
After taxes on distributions and redemptions |
07/28/97 |
22.90% |
7.79% |
10.77% |
8.80% |
69
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. 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 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 Fund 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, the Fund due to Morgan Stanley’s activities outside the Fund. 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 the Fund including for an extended period of time, resulting in the Fund’s inability to participate in certain desirable transactions. 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 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. 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 Fund 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
70
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 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). Also, it may adversely affect the Fund’s investments, ability to invest in, or divest from, a company or engage in transactions or otherwise disadvantage the 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, the 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 the 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 the Fund, including if the 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 Fund), as applicable, and the Adviser may make investment decisions for the 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 Fund.
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.
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 the 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 the Fund’s investment objectives. The 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 the 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 the Fund’s advantage. There can be no assurance that the 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 the Fund in the same investment or the 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 take on the same securities 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund.
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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 the 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 the Fund.
In addition, certain investment professionals who are involved in the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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, the Fund even though such other clients’ investment objectives may be similar to those of the Fund and the Adviser may make decisions for the 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 the 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 the 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
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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 the 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 the Fund) or other clients have already invested. These investments can create conflicts of interest, including those associated with the assets of the 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 the 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 the Fund, to certain Financial Intermediaries (which may include affiliates of the Adviser and the Distributor), including recordkeepers and administrators of various deferred compensation plans, in connection with the sale, distribution, marketing and retention of shares of the Fund and/or shareholder servicing. For example, the Adviser or the Distributor may pay additional compensation to a Financial Intermediary for, among other things, promoting the sale and distribution of Fund shares, providing access to various programs, mutual fund platforms or preferred or recommended mutual fund lists that may be offered by a Financial Intermediary, granting the Distributor access to a Financial Intermediary’s financial advisors and consultants, providing assistance in the ongoing education and training of a Financial Intermediary’s financial personnel, furnishing marketing support, maintaining share balances and/or for sub-accounting, recordkeeping, administrative, shareholder or transaction processing services. Such payments are in addition to any distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and/or transfer agency fees that may be payable by the Fund. The additional payments may be based on various factors, including level of sales (based on gross or net sales or some specified minimum sales or some other similar criteria related to sales of the Fund and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds), amount of assets invested by the Financial Intermediary’s customers (which could include current or aged assets of the Fund and/or some or all other Morgan Stanley Funds), the 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
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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 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. Furthermore, from time to time, the Adviser or its affiliates may invest “seed” capital in the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund’s interests.
Subject to the limitations of applicable law, the 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 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 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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
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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 the 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, 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 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, the 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 the Fund may invest. Subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, including Sections 10(f) and 17(e) thereof, the 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 the Fund has an investment may be adverse to the Adviser’s or the 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 the Fund’s best interests. Due to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund’s behalf.
Principal Investments. There may be situations in which the 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 the 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 the 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
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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 the 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 the Fund or offset advisory fees payable.
Investments in Portfolio Investments of Other Funds. To the extent permitted by applicable law, when the 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 the Fund has made an investment. Under such circumstances, the 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 the 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 the Fund.
Investments in Morgan Stanley Funds and Other Funds. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the 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 Fund) may, individually or in the aggregate, own a substantial percentage of the Fund. Further, the Adviser, its affiliates, or another entity (i.e., a seed investor) may invest in the Fund at or near the establishment of such Funds, which may facilitate the Fund achieving a specified size or scale. The Adviser and/or its affiliates may make payments to an investor that contributes seed capital to the 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 the 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 the Fund’s liquidity, expenses and market price of its shares, as applicable.
Allocation of Expenses. Expenses may be incurred that are attributable to the Fund and one or more other Affiliated Investment Accounts (including in connection with issuers in which the 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 the 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 the 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 the Fund’s investment (which will reduce the net return realized by the 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 the Fund from an affiliate that is acting as a manager of a syndicate or selling group. Purchases by the Adviser on behalf of the 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 the 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 Fund seek to track the performance of the Indexes. The Adviser manages Accounts which track the same Indexes used by the Fund or which are based on the same, or substantially similar, Adviser Strategies that are used in the operation of the Indexes and the Fund. The operation of the Indexes, the Fund and the Accounts in this manner gives rise to potential conflicts of interest. For example, Accounts that track the same Indexes used by the Fund may engage in purchases and sales of securities prior to when the Index and the Fund engage in similar transactions because such Accounts may be managed and rebalanced on an ongoing basis, whereas the Fund’s 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 Fund and the Accounts. The Adviser has established certain information barriers and other policies
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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 Fund.
Valuation of the Fund’s Investments. The Adviser performs certain valuation services related to securities and other assets held by the Fund and performs such services in accordance with its valuation policies. The Adviser will face a conflict with respect to valuation of the Fund’s investments generally because of the effect of such valuations on the Adviser’s fees and other compensation and performance of the Fund.
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 Fund, 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 Fund may benefit the interests of Morgan Stanley and/or accounts other than the Fund. 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 the 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.
Dechert LLP, located at 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, acts as the Fund’s legal counsel.
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This SAI and the Prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement the Fund has filed with the SEC. The complete Registration Statement may be obtained from the SEC.
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APPENDIX A — MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EQUITY PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Introduction
This Proxy Voting Policy (“Policy”) sets out MSIM’s1 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
A-1
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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− 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.
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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. |
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