[ANNOTATED FORM N-CSR FOR ANNUAL REPORTS]

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number

811-07694

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

1221 Avenue of the Americas 22nd Floor New York, NY

 

10020

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Ronald E. Robison
1221 Avenue of the Americas, 33rd Floor New York, New York 10020

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

1-800-221-6726

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

12/31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

12/31/05

 

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. Section 3507.

 



 

ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

 

The Fund’s annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:

 



 

2005 Annual Report

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

Morgan Stanley

Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Morgan Stanley

Investment Management Inc.

Investment Adviser

 


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Letter to Stockholders

Overview

 

Performance

 

For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) had total returns, based on net asset and market value per share of 13.83%, net of fees, and 23.98%, respectively, compared to 10.73% for the J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Global Index (the “Index”). On December 31, 2005, the closing price of the Fund’s shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $10.88, representing a 0.7% premium to the Fund’s net asset value per share.

 

Factors Affecting Performance

 

          As in 2004, the emerging markets debt (EMD) asset class ended 2005 as the top-performing fixed income asset class. The asset class return was derived from a combination of tightening spreads and the relatively high levels of current income associated with emerging markets bonds.

 

          Fundamentals for emerging market (EM) economies strengthened throughout 2005 as most countries experienced improving terms of trade, increasing levels of international reserves and declining debt levels. These factors allowed the asset class to continue its migration upward toward investment grade credit ratings (the average rating of the Index is now one notch below investment grade) and to shrug off short periods of negative external market conditions during the year.

 

          EMD spreads compressed to new absolute lows in 2005 (as in 2004) reflecting the higher average rating, broadening investor base, and muted volatility of the asset class. The abundance of financial market liquidity greatly benefited emerging economies in 2005 just as it did in 2004, lifting EMD in spite of tight absolute valuations at the beginning of the year. High global growth, low global interest rates, high commodity prices, and a marked improvement in the quality of economic management proved to be a powerful mix for the EMD asset class in 2005, as in 2004.

 

          However, the performance of the EMD asset class during 2005 differed from 2004 in important aspects. Notably, EM policymakers accelerated the pace of their de-leveraging. To the surprise of investors, most EM countries which benefited from revenue windfalls associated with high commodity prices aggressively paid down debt during 2005. Some used their swelling levels of reserves to pay off debt as it came due; some took a more aggressive stance and pre-paid debts falling due over the next 10 years; while others shifted their borrowings into local currency. The take-away from this phenomenon for investors is the desire on the part of policymakers in most EM countries to lessen their dependence on external borrowing. Read another way, most EM policymakers are determined to lessen their exposure to potential shocks emanating from the developed world and are taking the steps necessary to do so.

 

          Another notable difference between 2004 and 2005 was the emerging shift in the composition of growth in many emerging countries away from purely export-led growth to a mix of exports and domestic demand-driven growth.

 

          EMD spreads were less volatile than U.S. high yield spreads and investment grade corporate spreads during 2005. This trend reflects the ongoing improvement in the balance sheets of EM borrowers and the growing acceptance of EM credits among institutional investors.

 

Management Strategies

 

          We maintained a neutral to slightly defensive risk bias for much of the year. The Fund’s spread duration and beta was near to or slightly below the benchmark’s levels for most of the year.

 

          The Fund was overweighted relative to its Index in Argentina, Indonesia, the Philippines, Turkish local markets and in Russia throughout the year.

 

          The Fund included exposure to the local markets of Argentina, Brazil and Turkey. Despite high oil revenues and manageable financing requirements for 2005, we underweighted the debt of Ecuador based on our concerns about the country’s ability to service its debts beyond 2005.

 

          The Fund was underweighted relative to its Index in the external (U.S. dollar denominated) debt of Brazil, Turkey and most Asian credits due to concerns that valuations had outpaced fundamentals for those credits.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Ronald E. Robison

 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

2

January 2006


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Portfolio of Investments
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)


December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Value

 

 

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

DEBT INSTRUMENTS(97.4%)

 

 

 

 

 

Argentina (2.6%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (2.6%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Argentina

 

 

 

 

 

5.83%, 12/31/33

 

$

12,710

 

$

4,938

 

8.28%, 12/31/33

 

(a)398

 

331

 

Republic of Argentina (Linked Variable Rate)

 

 

 

 

 

233.70%, 4/10/49

 

(b)3,770

 

1,527

 

 

 

 

 

6,796

 

Brazil (15.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (2.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

Banco ABN Amro Real S.A.

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Coupon, 7/21/06

 

(c)2,340

 

2,540

 

15.861%, 12/13/07

 

6,000

 

2,582

 

 

 

 

 

5,122

 

Sovereign (13.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Federative Republic of Brazil

 

 

 

 

 

5.188%, 4/15/24

 

(d)5,280

 

5,155

 

6.00%, 4/15/24

 

(d)1,490

 

1,445

 

8.00%, 1/15/18

 

6,269

 

6,780

 

8.875%, 10/14/19

 

8,963

 

10,065

 

8.875%, 4/15/24

 

975

 

1,090

 

10.50%, 7/14/14

 

1,740

 

2,137

 

14.50%, 10/15/09

 

6,040

 

7,761

 

 

 

 

 

34,433

 

 

 

 

 

39,555

 

Bulgaria (1.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (1.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Bulgaria (Registered)

 

 

 

 

 

8.25%, 1/15/15

 

(c)3,189

 

3,859

 

Chile (1.7%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (1.7%)

 

 

 

 

 

Empresa Nacional de Petroleo

 

 

 

 

 

6.75%, 11/15/12

 

(c)4,170

 

4,497

 

Colombia (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Colombia

 

 

 

 

 

8.125%, 5/21/24

 

1,420

 

1,541

 

8.25%, 12/22/14

 

660

 

736

 

9.75%, 4/9/11

 

$

1,361

 

$

1,538

 

10.375%, 1/28/33

 

370

 

489

 

11.75%, 2/25/20

 

925

 

1,283

 

 

 

 

 

5,587

 

India (0.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (0.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

Surashtra Cement & Chemical Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

19.00% (expired maturity)

 

INR (a)(i)30,000

 

@—

 

Indonesia (4.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (4.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Pindo Deli Finance Mauritius

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche A, 5.23%, 4/28/15

 

$

(c)(d)1,659

 

1,385

 

Tranche B, 5.23%, 4/28/18

 

(d)3,413

 

1,997

 

Tranche C,

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Coupon, 4/28/27

 

(c)(d)6,884

 

1,755

 

Tijiwi Kimia Finance Mauritius Ltd.

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche A, 5.248%, 4/28/15

 

(c)(d)3,878

 

3,374

 

Tranche B, 5.23%, 4/28/18

 

(c)(d)2,714

 

1,845

 

Tranche C,

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Coupon, 4/28/27

 

(c)(d)3,352

 

922

 

 

 

 

 

11,278

 

Ivory Coast (0.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (0.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Ivory Coast

 

 

 

 

 

2.50%, 3/29/18

 

(b)2,045

 

450

 

Malaysia (2.6%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (2.6%)

 

 

 

 

 

Government of Malaysia

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 7/15/11

 

420

 

470

 

8.75%, 6/1/09

 

5,730

 

6,407

 

 

 

 

 

6,877

 

Mexico (18.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (8.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Pemex Project Funding Master Trust

 

 

 

 

 

5.791%, 6/15/10

 

(c)(d)4,250

 

4,410

 

9.125%, 10/13/10

 

4,040

 

4,660

 

9.125%, 12/1/23

 

(c)1,740

 

2,147

 

9.50%, 9/15/27

 

1,020

 

1,368

 

10.00%, 9/15/27

 

(c)4,860

 

6,500

 

10.00%, 9/15/27

 

1,040

 

1,395

 

Satelites Mexicanos S.A. de CV, ‘B’

 

 

 

 

 

10.125% (expired maturity)

 

(b)3,343

 

1,605

 

 

 

 

 

22,085

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

3

 


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Portfolio of Investments (cont’d)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)


December 31, 2005

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

Value

 

 

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

Mexico (cont’d)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (10.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

United Mexican States

 

 

 

 

 

6.375%, 1/16/13

 

$

2,430

 

$

2,588

 

8.125%, 12/30/19

 

3,393

 

4,173

 

8.30%, 8/15/31

 

1,940

 

2,498

 

8.375%, 1/14/11

 

(e)10,210

 

11,665

 

10.375%, 2/17/09

 

3,430

 

3,956

 

11.50%, 5/15/26

 

828

 

1,356

 

 

 

 

 

26,236

 

 

 

 

 

48,321

 

Nigeria (1.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (1.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Central Bank of Nigeria Par Bond

 

 

 

 

 

6.25%, 11/15/20

 

(f)2,750

 

2,777

 

Panama (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Panama

 

 

 

 

 

7.125%, 1/29/26

 

1,910

 

1,944

 

9.375%, 4/1/29

 

1,890

 

2,386

 

9.625%, 2/8/11

 

906

 

1,062

 

 

 

 

 

5,392

 

Peru (2.8%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (2.8%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Peru

 

 

 

 

 

7.84%, 8/12/20

 

8,300

 

2,332

 

8.375%, 5/3/16

 

1,610

 

1,775

 

8.75%, 11/21/33

 

1,460

 

1,650

 

9.875%, 2/6/15

 

1,385

 

1,669

 

 

 

 

 

7,426

 

Philippines (9.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (9.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Philippines

 

 

 

 

 

8.875%, 3/17/15

 

10,980

 

12,201

 

9.50%, 2/2/30

 

8,510

 

10,021

 

10.625%, 3/16/25

 

2,080

 

2,652

 

 

 

 

 

24,874

 

Qatar (0.7%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (0.7%)

 

 

 

 

 

State of Qatar (Registered)

 

 

 

 

 

9.75%, 6/15/30

 

1,260

 

1,928

 

Russia (20.8%)

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate (1.8%)

 

 

 

 

 

Gaz Capital for Gazprom

 

 

 

 

 

8.625%, 4/28/34

 

3,670

 

4,661

 

Sovereign (19.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

Aries Vermoegensverwaltungs GmbH

 

 

 

 

 

9.60%, 10/25/14

 

$

4,250

 

$

5,504

 

Russian Federation (Registered)

 

 

 

 

 

5.00%, 3/31/30

 

(c)(f)5,519

 

6,237

 

8.25%, 3/31/10

 

5,870

 

6,244

 

11.00%, 7/24/18

 

8,821

 

13,022

 

12.75%, 6/24/28

 

(e)10,080

 

18,522

 

 

 

 

 

49,529

 

 

 

 

 

54,190

 

Tunisia (0.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (0.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Banque Centrale de Tunisie

 

 

 

 

 

7.375%, 4/25/12

 

750

 

838

 

Turkey (5.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (5.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

(Turkish Lira Index Linked)

 

 

 

 

 

Zero Coupon, 2/23/06

 

3,570

 

5,458

 

Republic of Turkey

 

 

 

 

 

11.00%, 1/14/13

 

3,570

 

4,547

 

11.50%, 1/23/12

 

2,700

 

3,439

 

 

 

 

 

13,444

 

Venezuela (6.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Sovereign (6.2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Venezuela

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 10/8/14

 

1,510

 

1,665

 

9.375%, 1/13/34

 

7,072

 

8,398

 

10.75%, 9/19/13

 

4,890

 

6,027

 

 

 

 

 

16,090

 

TOTAL DEBT INSTRUMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost $236,847)

 

 

 

254,179

 

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

WARRANTS (0.5%)

 

 

 

 

 

Argentina (0.3%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Argentina,

 

 

 

 

 

expiring, 12/15/35

 

(a)(g)1,182

 

62

 

Republic of Argentina,

 

 

 

 

 

expiring, 12/15/35

 

(g)37,715

 

611

 

 

 

 

 

673

 

Mexico (0.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

United Mexican States,

 

 

 

 

 

expiring 9/1/06

 

(g)2,300

 

139

 

 

4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Portfolio of Investments (cont’d)
(Showing Percentage of Total Value of Investments)


December 31, 2005

 

 

 

No. of

 

Value

 

 

 

Warrants

 

(000)

 

Nigeria (0.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Central Bank of Nigeria,

 

 

 

 

 

expiring 11/15/20

 

3,000

 

$

168

 

Venezuela (0.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Venezuela Oil-

 

 

 

 

 

Linked Payment Obligation,

 

 

 

 

 

expiring 4/15/20

 

11,350

 

329

 

TOTAL WARRANTS

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost $669)

 

 

 

1,309

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

 

(000)

 

 

 

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

United States (2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase Agreement(2.1%)

 

 

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., 4.05%,

 

 

 

 

 

dated 12/30/05, due 1/3/06,

 

 

 

 

 

repurchase price $5,487

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost $5,485)

 

$

(h)5,485

 

5,485

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS (100.0%)

 

 

 

 

 

(Cost $243,001)

 

 

 

260,973

 

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF OTHER ASSETS

 

 

 

(22,882

)

NET ASSETS

 

 

 

$

238,091

 

 

(a)                                  Security was valued at fair value — At December 31, 2005, the Fund held $393,000 of fair valued securities, representing 0.2% of net assets.

 

(b)           Security is in default.

 

(c)                                  144A Security — Certain conditions for public sale may exist. Unless otherwise noted, these securities are deemed to be liquid.

 

(d)                                 Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in designated base rates. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2005.

 

(e)                                  Denotes all or a portion of securities subject to repurchase under the Reverse Repurchase Agreements as of December 31, 2005. See note A-3 to financial statements.

 

(f)                                    Step Bond — Coupon rate increases in increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2005. Maturity date disclosed is ultimate maturity.

 

(g)           Non-income producing security.

 

(h)                                 Represents the Fund’s undivided interest in a joint repurchase agreement which has a total value of $1,000,707,000. The repurchase agreement was fully collateralized by U.S. government agency securities at the date of this Portfolio of Investments as follows: Federal Farm Credit Bank: 2.00% to 7.35%, due 1/11/06 to 10/25/33; Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.: 1.88% to 7.22%, due 2/9/06 to 7/15/32; Federal National Mortgage Association: 2.50% to 7.25%, due 2/15/06 to 11/15/30, which had a total value of $1,020,741,791. The investment in the repurchase agreement is through participation in a joint account with affiliated parties pursuant to exemptive relief received by the Fund from the SEC.

 

(i)            Security has been deemed illiquid — At December 31, 2005.

 

@            Face Amount/Value is less than $500.

 

INR                           Indian Rupee.

 

Futures Contracts:

 

The Fund had the following futures contract(s) open at period end:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

Number

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciation

 

 

 

of

 

Value

 

Expiration

 

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

Contracts

 

(000)

 

Date

 

(000)

 

Short:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2 Year U.S. Treasury Note

 

551

 

$113,058

 

Mar-06

 

$   (84)

 

 

Graphic Presentation of Portfolio Holdings

 

The following graph depicts the Fund’s holdings by industry and/or security type, as a percentage of total investments.

 

 

*                 Industries which do not appear in the above graph, as well as those which represent less than 5% of total investments, if applicable, are included in the category labeled “Other”.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

5

 


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

December 31, 2005 (000)

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

Investments, at Value (Cost $243,001)

 

$

260,973

 

Cash

 

1

 

Receivable for Investments Sold

 

14,868

 

Interest Receivable

 

5,388

 

Due from Broker

 

1,842

 

Foreign Currency, at Value (Cost $98)

 

99

 

Other Assets

 

6

 

Total Assets

 

283,177

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

Payable For:

 

 

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

25,368

 

Investments Purchased

 

10,906

 

Dividends Declared

 

8,468

 

Investment Advisory Fees

 

205

 

Directors’ Fees and Expenses

 

37

 

Custodian Fees

 

9

 

Administration Fees

 

7

 

Other Liabilities

 

86

 

Total Liabilities

 

45,086

 

Net Assets

 

 

 

Applicable to 22,046,681, Issued and Outstanding $0.01

 

 

 

Par Value Shares (100,000,000 Shares Authorized)

 

$

238,091

 

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

10.80

 

Net Assets Consist of:

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

$

220

 

Paid-in Capital

 

279,066

 

Undistributed (Distributions in Excess of) Net Investment Income

 

(742

)

Accumulated Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

(58,346

)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments, Foreign Currency Translations, and Futures Contracts

 

17,893

 

Net Assets

 

$

238,091

 

 

6

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Operations

 

Year Ended December 31, 2005
(000)

 

Investment Income

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

23,356

 

Expenses

 

 

 

Investment Advisory Fees (Note B)

 

2,350

 

Interest Expense on Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

461

 

Administration Fees (Note C)

 

188

 

Professional Fees

 

84

 

Stockholder Reporting Expenses

 

67

 

Custodian Fees (Note D)

 

54

 

Bank Overdraft Expense

 

14

 

Stockholder Servicing Agent

 

17

 

Directors’ Fees and Expenses

 

9

 

Other Expenses

 

63

 

Total Expenses

 

3,307

 

Waiver of Administration Fees (Note C)

 

(107

)

Expense Offset (Note D)

 

@—

 

Net Expenses

 

3,200

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

20,156

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on:

 

 

 

Investments

 

3,731

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

(21

)

Futures

 

1,304

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

5,014

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

 

 

Investments

 

4,814

 

Foreign Currency Translations

 

(8

)

Futures

 

(115

)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

4,691

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) and Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

9,705

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

29,861

 

@ Amount is less than $500.

 

 

 

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2005
(000)

 

Year Ended
December 31, 2004
(000)

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

$

20,156

 

$

18,242

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

 

5,014

 

5,802

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

4,691

 

(1,699

)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

29,861

 

22,345

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

(20,814

)

(19,085

)

Total Increase (Decrease)

 

9,047

 

3,260

 

Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

 

229,044

 

225,784

 

End of Period (Including Undistributed (Distributions in Excess of) Net

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Income of $(742) and $(1,242), respectively)

 

$

238,091

 

$

229,044

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements

7


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Financial Statements

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

Year Ended

December 31, 2005

(000)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

Proceeds from Sales and Maturities of Long-Term Investments

 

$

110,390

 

Purchases of Long-Term Investments

 

(117,813

)

Net (Increase) Decrease in Short-Term Investments

 

(5,485

)

Net (Increase) Decrease in Foreign Currency Holdings

 

(44

)

Net Realized Gain (Loss) for Foreign Currency Translations

 

(21

)

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Futures Contracts

 

1,304

 

Net Investment Income

 

20,156

 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Investment Income to Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities:

 

 

 

Net (Increase) Decrease in Receivables Related to Operations

 

(1,055

)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Payables Related to Operations

 

(749

)

Accretion/Amortization of Discounts and Premiums

 

(4,023

)

Net Cash Provided (Used) by Operating Activities

 

2,660

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

Cash Received for Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

153,248

 

Cash Paid for Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

(136,381

)

Cash Distributions Paid

 

(19,526

)

Net Cash Provided (Used) for Financing Activities

 

(2,659

)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash

 

1

 

Cash at Beginning of Period

 

 

Cash at End of Period

 

$

1

 

 

8

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Selected Per Share Data and Ratios


Financial Highlights

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

10.39

 

$

10.24

 

$

8.45

 

$

8.25

 

$

8.22

 

Net Investment Income

 

0.91

0.83

0.77

0.67

0.80

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

 

0.44

 

0.19

 

1.77

 

0.19

 

0.08

 

Total from Investment Operations

 

1.35

 

1.02

 

2.54

 

0.86

 

0.88

 

Distributions from and/or in Excess of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

(0.94

)

(0.87

)

(0.75

)

(0.66

)

(0.85

)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

10.80

 

$

10.39

 

$

10.24

 

$

8.45

 

$

8.25

 

Per Share Market Value, End of Period

 

$

10.88

 

$

9.61

 

$

9.76

 

$

7.55

 

$

7.40

 

TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Value

 

23.98

%

7.95

%

40.21

%

11.11

%

20.65

%

Net Asset Value (1)

 

13.83

%

11.24

%

31.44

%

11.54

%

12.50

%

RATIOS, SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Thousands)

 

$

238,091

 

$

229,044

 

$

225,784

 

$

186,308

 

$

181,913

 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(2)

 

1.36

%

1.22

%

1.25

%

1.34

%

1.61

%

Ratio of Expenses Excluding Interest Expense to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

 

1.16

%

1.16

%

1.20

%

1.29

%

1.41

%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
Net Assets(2)

 

8.58

%

8.18

%

8.04

%

8.11

%

9.73

%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

 

50

%

118

%

187

%

149

%

233

%

(2) Supplemental Information on the Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios Before Expenses Waived by Administrator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets

 

1.41

%

1.23

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets

 

8.53

%

8.17

%

N/A

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

 

(1)           Total investment return based on net asset value per share reflects the effects of changes in net asset value on the performance of the Fund during each period, and assumes dividends and distributions, if any, were reinvested. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a stockholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the stock and the net asset value per share of the Fund.

              Per share amounts are based on average shares outstanding.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

9

 


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements


December 31, 2005

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) was incorporated in Maryland on May 6, 1993, and is registered as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as amended. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to produce high current income and as a secondary objective, to seek capital appreciation, through investments primarily in debt securities.

 

A.   Accounting Policies:      The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Such policies are consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

1.                Security Valuation:  Bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued according to the broadest and most representative market. In addition, bonds and other fixed income securities may be valued on the basis of prices provided by a pricing service. The prices provided by a pricing service take into account broker dealer market price quotations for institutional size trading in similar groups of securities, security quality, maturity, coupon and other security characteristics as well as any developments related to the specific securities. Securities listed on a foreign exchange are valued at their closing price. Unlisted securities and listed securities not traded on the valuation date for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from reputable brokers. Equity securities listed on a U.S. exchange are valued at the latest quoted sales price on the valuation date. Equity securities listed or traded on NASDAQ, for which market quotations are available, are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Debt securities purchased with remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, if it approximates value.

 

All other securities and investments for which market values are not readily available, including restricted securities, and those securities for which it is inappropriate to determine prices in accordance with the aforementioned procedures, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Directors”), although the actual calculations may be done by others. Factors considered in making this determination may include, but are not limited to, information obtained by contacting the issuer, analysts, or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), analysis of the issuer’s financial statements or other available documents and, if necessary, available information concerning other securities in similar circumstances.

 

Most foreign markets close before the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Occasionally, developments that could affect the closing prices of securities and other assets may occur between the times at which valuations of such securities are determined (that is, close of the foreign market on which the securities trade) and the close of business on the NYSE. If these developments are expected to materially affect the value of the securities, the valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith under procedures established by the Directors.

 

2.                Repurchase Agreements:    The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Fund lends excess cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, a bank as custodian for the Fund takes possession of the underlying securities (collateral), with a market value at least equal to the amount of the repurchase transaction, including principal and accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to determine the adequacy of the collateral. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Fund has the right to liquidate the collateral and apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral or proceeds may be subject to legal proceedings.

 

The Fund, along with other affiliated investment companies, may utilize a joint trading account for the purpose of entering into one or more repurchase agreements.

 

3.                Reverse Repurchase Agreements:    The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with institutions that the Fund’s investment adviser has determined are creditworthy. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the Fund sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of the securities purchased with the proceeds from the sale of

 

10


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

securities received by the Fund may decline below the price of the securities the Fund is obligated to repurchase. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve credit risk with the counterparty to the extent that the value of securities subject to repurchase exceed the Fund’s liability under the reverse repurchase agreement. Securities subject to repurchase under reverse repurchase agreements, if any, are designated as such in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

At December 31, 2005,  the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements outstanding with Lehman Brothers as follows:

 

 

 

Maturity in

 

 

 

less than

 

 

 

365 Days

 

Value of Securities Subject to Repurchase

 

$

25,352,000

 

Liability Under Reverse Repurchase Agreement

 

$

25,368,000

 

Weighted Average Days to Maturity

 

35.33

 

 

The weighted average weekly balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2005, was approximately $15,737,000 at a weekly weighted average interest rate of 2.93%.

 

4.                Foreign Currency Translation: The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars last quoted by a major bank as follows:

 

•    investments, other assets and liabilities at the prevailing rates of exchange on the valuation date;

 

•    investment transactions and investment income at the prevailing rates of exchange on the dates of such transactions.

 

Although the net assets of the Fund are presented at the foreign exchange rates and market values at the close of the period, the Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities held at period end. Similarly, the Fund does not isolate the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities sold during the period. Accordingly, realized and unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) due to securities transactions are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions and balances.

 

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from sales and maturities of foreign currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amount of investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translations in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The change in net unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

 

A significant portion of the Fund’s net assets consist of securities of issuers located in emerging markets or which are denominated in foreign currencies. Such investments may be concentrated in a limited number of countries and regions and may vary throughout the year. Changes in currency exchange rates will affect the value of and investment income from foreign currency denominated securities. Emerging market securities are often subject to greater price volatility, limited capitalization and liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. In addition, emerging market securities may be subject to substantial governmental involvement in the economy and greater social, economic and political uncertainty.

 

5.                Derivatives:  The Fund may use derivatives to achieve its investment objectives. The Fund may engage in transactions in futures contracts on foreign currencies, stock indices, as well as in options, swaps and structured notes. Consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies, the Fund may use derivatives for non-hedging as well as hedging purposes.

 

Following is a description of derivative instruments that the Fund has utilized and their associated risks:

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:   The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts generally to attempt to protect securities and related receivables and payables against changes in future foreign exchange rates and, in certain situations, to gain exposure to a foreign currency. A foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy or sell currency at a

 

11


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

set price on a future date. The market value of the contract will fluctuate with changes in currency exchange rates. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as unrealized gain or loss. The Fund records realized gains or losses when the contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Risk may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and is generally limited to the amount of unrealized gain on the contracts, if any, at the date of default. Risks may also arise from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.

 

Structured Securities:    The Fund may invest in interests in entities organized and operated solely for the purpose of restructuring the investment characteristics of sovereign debt obligations. This type of restructuring involves the deposit with or purchase by an entity of specified instruments and the issuance by that entity of one or more classes of securities (“Structured Securities”) backed by, or representing interests in, the underlying instruments. Structured Securities generally will expose the Fund to credit risks of the underlying instruments as well as of the issuer of the Structured Security. Structured Securities are typically sold in private placement transactions with no active trading market. Investments in Structured Securities may be more volatile than their underlying instruments, however, any loss is limited to the amount of the original investment.

 

Futures:    The Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts. Futures contracts provide for the sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a specified security, index, instrument or basket of instruments. Futures contracts (secured by cash, government or other liquid securities deposited with brokers or custodians as “initial margin”) are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices; changes in initial settlement value (represented by cash paid to or received from brokers as “variation margin”) are accounted for as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). When futures contracts are closed, the difference between the opening value at the date of purchase and the value at closing is recorded as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations.

 

The Fund may use futures contracts in order to manage its exposure to the stock and bond markets, to hedge against unfavorable changes in the value of securities or to remain fully invested and to reduce transaction costs. Futures contracts involve market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks arise from the possible movements in security values underlying these instruments. The change in value of futures contracts primarily corresponds with the value of their underlying instruments, which may not correlate with the change in value of the hedged investments. In addition, there is the risk that the Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market.

 

Over-the-Counter Trading:    Securities and other derivative instruments that may be purchased or sold by the Fund may consist of instruments not traded on an exchange. The risk of nonperformance by the obligor on such an instrument may be greater, and the ease with which the Fund can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an instrument may be less, than in the case of an exchange-traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between bid and asked prices for derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Derivative instruments not traded on exchanges are also not subject to the same type of government regulation as exchange traded instruments, and many of the protections afforded to participants in a regulated environment may not be available in connection with such transactions.

 

6.                Other:     Security transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are determined on the specific identified cost basis. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis and discounts and premiums on investments purchased are accreted or amortized in accordance with the effective yield method over their respective lives, except where collection is in doubt. Distributions to stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

B.    Investment Advisory Fees:    Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the “Adviser” or “MS Investment Management”) provides investment advisory services to the Fund under the terms of an Investment Advisory and Management Agreement (the “Agreement”). Under the Agreement, the Adviser is paid a fee computed weekly and

 

12


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

payable monthly at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets.

 

C.    Administration Fees:    MS Investment Management also serves as Administrator to the Fund pursuant to an Administration Agreement. Under the Administration Agreement, the administration fee is 0.08% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets. MS Investment Management has agreed to limit the administration fee so that it will be no greater than the previous administration fee of 0.02435% of the Fund’s average weekly net assets plus $24,000 per annum. This waiver is voluntary and may be terminated at any time. For the year ended December 31, 2005, $107,000 of administration fees were waived pursuant to this arrangement. Under a sub-administration agreement between the Administrator and J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (“JPMIS”), a corporate affiliate of JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., JPMIS provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays JPMIS a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund. An employee of JPMIS is an officer of the Fund. Administration costs (including out-of-pocket expenses)  incurred in the ordinary course of providing services under the agreement, except pricing services and extraordinary expenses, will be covered under the administration fee.

 

D.    Custodian Fees:    JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”) and its affiliates serve as Custodian for the Fund. The Custodian holds cash, securities, and other assets of the Fund as required by the 1940 Act. Custody fees are payable monthly based on assets held in custody, investment purchases and sales activity and account maintenance fees, plus reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

 

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its Custodian whereby credits realized on uninvested cash balances were used to offset a portion of the Fund’s expenses. These custodian credits are shown as “Expense Offset” on the Statement of Operations.

 

E.    Federal Income Taxes:    It is the Fund’s intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for Federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

 

The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on income and/ or capital gains earned or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned.

 

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

 

2005 Distributions

 

2004 Distributions

 

Paid From:

 

Paid From:

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

 

 

Long-term

 

 

 

Long-term

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Ordinary

 

Capital

 

Income

 

Gain

 

Income

 

Gain

 

$20,814

 

$—

 

$19,085

 

$—

 

 

The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to be paid by the Fund are determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These book/tax differences are considered either temporary or permanent in nature.

 

Temporary differences are attributable to differing book and tax treatments for the timing of the recognition of gains and losses on certain investment transactions and the timing of the deductibility of certain expenses.

 

Permanent differences, primarily due to differing treatments of gains and losses related to foreign currency transactions, pay-down adjustments and defaulted bonds, resulted in the following reclassifications among the components of net assets at December 31, 2005:

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

Undistributed

 

 

 

 

 

(Distributions in

 

 

 

 

 

Excess of) Net

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

Investment

 

Net Realized

 

Paid-in

 

Income (Loss)

 

Gain (Loss)

 

Capital

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

$1,158

 

$(1,158

)

$—

 

 

At December 31, 2005, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

 

Undistributed

 

Ordinary Income

 

Long-term Capital Gain

 

(000)

 

(000)

 

$290

 

$—

 

 

At December 31, 2005, the U.S. Federal income tax cost basis of securities was approximately $243,058,000 and, accordingly, net unrealized appreciation for U.S. Federal income tax purposes was $17,915,000 of which $25,535,000 related to

 

13


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Notes to Financial Statements (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

appreciated securities and $7,620,000 related to depreciated securities.

 

At December 31, 2005, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of approximately $59,060,000 available to offset future capital gains, of which $42,467,000 will expire on December 31, 2006, $13,135,000 will expire on December 31, 2007 and $3,458,000 will expire on December 31, 2009. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Fund utilized capital loss carryforward for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of approximately $3,742,000.

 

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized during the carryover period as provided by U.S. Federal income tax regulations, no capital gains tax liability will be incurred by the Fund for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the stockholders.

 

Net capital, currency and passive foreign investment company losses incurred after October 31, and within the taxable year are deemed to arise on the first day of the Fund’s next taxable year. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Fund deferred to January 3, 2006, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, post-October currency losses of $21,000.

 

F.    Contractual Obligations:    The Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

G.    Other:    During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Fund made purchases and sales totaling approximately $128,719,000 and $122,670,000 respectively, of investment securities other than long-term U.S. Government securities, purchased options and short-term investments. There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities.

 

These investments may be traded by one market maker who may also be utilized by the Fund to provide pricing information used to value such securities. The amounts which will be realized upon disposition of the securities may differ from the value reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and the differences could be material.

 

On December 15, 2005 the Officers of the Fund, pursuant to authority granted by the Directors declared a distribution of $0.3841 per share, derived from net investment income, payable on January 6, 2006, to stockholders of record on December 23, 2005.

 

Reporting to Stockholders (Unaudited)

 

Each Morgan Stanley Fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semi-annual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters by filing the schedule electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The semi-annual reports are filed on Form N-CSRS and the annual reports are filed on Form N-CSR. Morgan Stanley also delivers the semi-annual and annual reports to Fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public website, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley Fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. Morgan Stanley does not deliver the reports for the first and third fiscal quarters to shareholders, nor are the reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public website. You may, however, obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1(800) SEC-0330. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s email address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record (Unaudited)

 

You may obtain a copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures without charge, upon request, by calling toll free
1-800-281-2715 or by visiting our website at www.morganstanley.com/im. It is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http:// www.sec.gov.

 

You may obtain information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 by calling 1-800-281-2715. This information is also available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

14


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm


December 31, 2005

 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2005, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2005, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from brokers were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc. at December 31, 2005, the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

Boston, Massachusetts

February 13, 2006

 

15


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Director and Officer Information (unaudited)


December 31, 2005

 

Independent Directors:

 

Name, Age and Address of
Director

 

Position(s)
Held with
Registrant

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen
by
Director**

 

Other Directorships Held by Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Bozic (64)
c/o Kramer Levin
Naftalis &
Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent
Directors
1177 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10036

 

Director

 

Director
since 2003

 

Private investor; Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since April 1994) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); formerly variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears Roebuck & Co.

 

197

 

Director of various business organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edwin J. Garn (73)
1031 N. Chartwell Court
Salt Lake City, UT 84103

 

Director

 

Director
since 2003

 

Consultant; Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since January 1993) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); member of the Utah Regional Advisory Board of Pacific Corp. (Utility Company); formerly Managing Director of Summit Ventures LLC (2000-2004) (lobbying and consulting firm); United States Senator (R- Utah) (1974-1992) and Chairman, Senate Banking Committee (1980-1986), Mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah (1971- 1974), Astronaut, Space Shuttle Discovery (April 12-19, 1985), and Vice Chairman, Huntsman Corporation (Chemical Company).

 

197

 

Director of Franklin Covey (time management systems), BMW Bank of North America, Inc. (industrial loan corporation), Escrow Bank USA (industrial loan corporation), United Space Alliance (joint venture between Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company) and Nuskin Asia Pacific (multilevel marketing); member of the board of various civic and charitable organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayne E. Hedien (71)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis &
Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent
Directors
1177 Avenue of the
Americas
New York, NY 10036

 

Director

 

Director
since 2003

 

Retired; Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since September 1997) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly associated with the Allstate Companies (1966-1994), most recently as Chairman of The Allstate Corporation (March 1993-December 1994) and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allstate Insurance Company (July 1989- December 1994).

 

197

 

Director of the PMI Group Inc. (private mortgage insurance); Director and Vice Chairman of The Field Museum of Natural History; director of various other business and charitable organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (56) c/o Johnson Smick
Group Inc.
888 16th Street, NW
Suite 740
Washington, D.C. 20006

 

Director

 

Director
since 2003

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc., a consulting firm; Chairman of the Audit Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Co-Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C), an international economic commission; formerly Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

197

 

Director of NVR,Inc. (home construction), Director of KFX Energy; Director of RBS Greenwich Capital Holdings (financial holdings company).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph J. Kearns (63)

c/o Kearns & Associates
LLC
PMB754
23852 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Malibu, CA 90265

 

Director

 

Director
since 2001

 

President, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Deputy Chairman of the Audit Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since August 1994); previously Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Institutional Funds (October 2001- July 2003); formerly CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust.

 

198

 

Director of Electro Rent Corporation
(equipment leasing), The Ford Family
Foundation and the UCLA Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael E. Nugent (69)

c/o Triumph Capital, L.P.
445 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022

 

Director

 

Director
since 2001

 

General Partner of Triumph Capital, L.P., a private investment partnership; Chairman of the Insurance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2001); formerly Vice President, Bankers Trust Company and BT Capital Corporation (1984-1988).

 

197

 

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fergus Reid (73)

c/o Lumelite Plastics
Corporation
85 Charles Coleman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564

 

Director

 

Director
since 2000

 

Chairman of Lumelite Plastics Corporation; Chairman of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since June 1992).

 

198

 

Trustee and Director of certain
investment companies in the J.P.
Morgan Funds complex managed by
JPMorgan Investment Management
Inc.

 

16


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Director and Officer Information (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

Interested Directors:

 

Name, Age and Address of
Director

 

Position(s)
Held with
Registrant

 

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Director**

 

Other Directorships Held by Director

Charles A. Fiumefreddo (72)
c/o Morgan Stanley Funds Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Chairman and Director of the Board

 

Chairman and Director since 2003

 

Chairman and Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since July 1991) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); formerly Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Funds (until September 2002).

 

197

 

None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James F. Higgins (57)
c/o Morgan Stanley Funds
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza Two
Jersey City, NJ 07311

 

Director

 

Director
since 2003

 

Director or Trustee of the Retail Funds (since June 2000) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000); Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. and Dean Witter Realty Inc.; previously President and Chief Operating Officer of the Private Client Group of Morgan Stanley (May 1999-August 2000), and President and Chief Operating Officer of Individual Securities of Morgan Stanley (February 1997-May 1999)

 

197

 

Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (financial services).

 

*      Each Director serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

**    The Fund Complex includes all funds advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and funds that have an investment advisor that is an affiliated entity of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley Investments LP and Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.).

 

Officers:

 

Name, Age and Address of Executive Officer

 

Position(s)Held
with Registrant

 

Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Ronald E. Robison (66)
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

 

President and
Principal
Executive
Officer

 

President
(since
September
2005) and
Principal
Executive
Officer (since
July 2003)

 

President (since September 2005) and Principal Executive Officer of Funds in the Fund complex (since May 2003); Managing Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley; Managing Director, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Director of Morgan Stanley Trust; Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.; Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of the Retail Funds (since April 2003) and the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); previously President and Director of the Institutional Funds (March 2001 – July 2003) and Chief Global Operations Officer and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment
Management Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J. David Germany (51)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Ltd.
25 Cabot Square Canary Wharf,
London, United Kingdom E144QA

 

Vice President

 

Vice President since February 2006

 

Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer - Global Fixed Income of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., and Van Kampen Asset Management. Managing Director and Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Ltd. Vice President (since February 2006) of the Morgan Stanley Retail Funds and Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis F. Shea (52)
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Vice President

 

Vice President
since February
2006

 

Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer - Global Equity of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Van Kampen Asset Management. Vice President (since February 2006) of the Morgan Stanley Retail Funds and Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds. Previously, Managing Director and Director of Global Equity Research at Morgan Stanley.

 

17


 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

Director and Officer Information (cont’d)


December 31, 2005

 

Officers: (cont’d)

 

Name, Age and Address of Executive Officer

 

Position(s)Held
with Registrant

 

Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served*

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Barry Fink (50)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Vice President

 

Vice President
since 2003

 

General Counsel (since May 2000) and Managing Director (since December 2000) of Morgan Stanley Investment Management; Managing Director (since December 2000) of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Vice President of the Retail Funds; Assistant Secretary of Morgan Stanley DW Inc.; Vice President of the Institutional Funds (since July 2003); Managing Director, Secretary and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.; previously Secretary of the Retail Funds and General Counsel (February 1997- April 2004) of the Retail Funds; previously Secretary (1997-2006) and Director (1997-2005) of the Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and the Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; and Secretary and Director of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (1997-2005).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy R. Doberman (43)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Vice President

 

Vice President
since July 2004

 

Managing Director and General Counsel, U.S. Investment Management; Managing Director (since July 2004) and Secretary (since February 2006) of Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Managing Director and Secretary of Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc. (since February 2006); Managing Director (since February 2005) and Secretary (since February 2006) of Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc.; Vice President of the Institutional and Retail Funds (since July 2004); various positions with the Van Kampen Funds and certain of their service providers; previously, Managing Director and General Counsel — Americas, UBS Global Asset Management (July 2000- July 2004).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carsten Otto (42)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Chief
Compliance
Officer

 

Chief Compliance
Officer since
2004

 

Managing Director and U.S. Director of Compliance for Morgan Stanley Investment Management (since October 2004); Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.; formerly Assistant Secretary and Assistant General Counsel of the Morgan Stanley Retail Funds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stefanie V. Chang (39)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Vice President

 

Vice President
since 2001

 

Executive Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.; Vice President of the Institutional Funds (since December 1997) and the Retail Funds (since July 2003); various positions with the Van Kampen Funds; formerly practiced law with the New York law firm of Rogers & Wells (now Clifford Chance US LLP).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James W. Garrett (37)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Treasurer and
Chief Financial
Officer

 

Treasurer since
2002 and
Chief Financial
Officer since
2003

 

Executive Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Institutional Funds; previously with PriceWaterhouse LLP (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael J. Leary (40)

J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co.
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

 

Assistant
Treasurer

 

Assistant
Treasurer since
2003

 

Director and Vice President of Fund Administration, J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (formerly Chase Global Funds Company); formerly Audit Manager at Ernst & Young LLP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary E. Mullin (38)

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

 

Secretary

 

Secretary since
2001

 

Executive Director of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. and Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.; Secretary of the Institutional Funds and (since July 2003) the Retail Funds; formerly practiced law with the New York law firms of McDermott, Will & Emery and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP.

*      Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his or her successor is elected.

 

In accordance with Section 303A. 12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, the Fund’s Annual CEO Certification certifying as to compliance with NYSE’s Corporate Governance Listing Standards was submitted to the Exchange on July 19, 2005.

 

The Fund’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 were filed with the Fund’s N-CSR and are available on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

18


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan

 

Pursuant to the Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the “Plan”), each stockholder will be deemed to have elected, unless American Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Plan Agent”) is otherwise instructed by the stockholder in writing, to have all distributions automatically reinvested in Fund shares. Participants in the Plan have the option of making additional voluntary cash payments to the Plan Agent, annually, in any amount from $100 to $3,000, for investment in Fund shares.

 

Dividend and capital gain distributions will be reinvested on the reinvestment date in full and fractional shares. If the market price per share equals or exceeds net asset value per share on the reinvestment date, the Fund will issue shares to participants at net asset value or, if net asset value is less than 95% of the market price on the reinvestment date, shares will be issued at 95% of the market price. If net asset value exceeds the market price on the reinvestment date, participants will receive shares valued at market price. The Fund may purchase shares of its Common Stock in the open market in connection with dividend reinvestment requirements at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Should the Fund declare a dividend or capital gain distribution payable only in cash, the Plan Agent will purchase Fund shares for participants in the open market as agent for the participants.

 

The Plan Agent’s fees for the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant’s account will be charged a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred on any open market purchases effected on such participant’s behalf. A participant will also pay brokerage commissions incurred on purchases made by voluntary cash payments. Although stockholders in the Plan may receive no cash distributions, participation in the Plan will not relieve participants of any income tax which may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

 

In the case of stockholders, such as banks, brokers or nominees, that hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners, the Plan Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholder as representing the total amount registered in the stockholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are participating in the Plan.

 

Stockholders who do not wish to have distributions automatically reinvested should notify the Plan Agent in writing. There is no penalty for non-participation or withdrawal from the Plan, and stockholders who have previously withdrawn from the Plan may rejoin at any time. Requests for additional information or any correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at:

 

 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan

59 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038

1(800)278-4353

 

19


 

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

Directors

 

Charles A. Fiumefreddo

Dennis F. Shea

Vice President

 

Michael Bozic

 

 

Edwin J. Garn

Barry Fink

Vice President

 

Wayne E. Hedien

 

 

James F. Higgins

Amy R. Doberman

Vice President

 

Dr. Manuel H. Johnson

 

 

Joseph J. Kearns

Stefanie V. Chang

Vice President

 

Michael Nugent

 

 

Fergus Reid

James W. Garrett

 

Treasurer and Chief

Officers

Financial Officer

Charles A. Fiumefreddo

 

Chairman of the Board

Carsten Otto

 

Chief Compliance Officer

Ronald E. Robison

 

President and Principal

Michael J. Leary

Executive Officer

Assistant Treasurer

 

 

 

Mary E. Mullin

J. David Germany

Secretary

Vice President

 

 

Investment Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

 

Custodian

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

270 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

Stockholder Servicing Agent

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

59 Maiden Lane

New York, New York 10038
1 (800) 278-4353

 

Legal Counsel

Clifford Chance US LLP

31 West 52nd Street

New York, New York 10019

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP

200 Clarendon Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

 

For additional Fund information, including the Fund’s net asset value per share and information regarding the investments comprising the Fund’s portfolio, please call 1(800)221-6726 or visit our website at www.morganstanley.com/im.

 

© 2006 Morgan Stanley

 

IS06-00110I-Y12/05


 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)           The Fund has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the Fund or a third party.

 

(b)           No information need be disclosed pursuant to this paragraph.

 

(c)           The Fund has amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto to delete from the end of the following paragraph on page 2 of the Code the phrase “to the detriment of the Fund.”:

 

“Each Covered Officer must not use his personal influence or personal relationship improperly to influence investment decisions or financial reporting by the Fund whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally (directly or indirectly).”

 

Additionally, Exhibit B was amended to remove Mitchell M. Merin as a covered officer.

 

(d)           Not applicable.

 

(e)           Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)           The Fund’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

 

(2)           Not applicable.

 

(3)           Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Fund’s Board of Directors has determined that it has two “audit committee financial experts” serving on its audit committee, each of whom are “independent” Directors:  Dr. Manuel H. Johnson and Joseph J. Kearns. Under applicable securities laws, a person who is determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities that are greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and Board of Directors in the absence of such designation or identification.

 



 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a)(b)(c)(d) and (g). Based on fees billed for the periods shown:

 

2005

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

76,650

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

$

235,000

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

2,835

(3)

$

52,799

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

$

956,268

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

2,835

 

$

1,244,067

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

79,485

 

$

1,244,067

 

 

2004

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

73,000

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

$

115,000

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

2,700

(3)

$

100,829

(6)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

$

60,985

(7)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

2,700

 

$

276,814

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

75,700

 

$

276,814

 

 


N/A- Not applicable, as not required by Item 4.

 

(1)     Covered Entities include the Adviser (excluding sub-advisors) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant.

 

(2)     Audit-Related Fees represent assurance and related services provided that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the financial statements of the Covered Entities and funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, specifically attestation services provided in connection with a SAS 70 Report.

 

(3)     Tax Fees represent tax advice and compliance services provided in connection with the review of the Registrant’s tax returns.

 

(4)     Tax Fees represent tax advice services provided to Covered Entities, including research and identification of PFIC entities.

 



 

(5)     All Other Fees represent attestation services provided in connection with performance presentation standards and a compliance review project performed.

 

(6)     Tax Fees represent tax advice services provided to Covered Entities, including assistance in obtaining a private letter ruling and the research and identification of PFIC entities.

 

(7)     All Other Fees represent attestation services provided in connection with performance presentation standards.

 

(e)(1) The audit committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures are as follows:

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

 

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004,(1)

 

1.     Statement of Principles

 

The Audit Committee of the Board is required to review and, in its sole discretion, pre-approve all Covered Services to be provided by the Independent Auditors to the Fund and Covered Entities in order to assure that services performed by the Independent Auditors do not impair the auditor’s independence from the Fund.

 

The SEC has issued rules specifying the types of services that an independent auditor may not provide to its audit client, as well as the audit committee’s administration of the engagement of the independent auditor. The SEC’s rules establish two different approaches to pre-approving services, which the SEC considers to be equally valid. Proposed services either: may be pre-approved without consideration of specific case-by-case services by the Audit Committee (“general pre-approval”); or require the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee or its delegate (“specific pre-approval”). The Audit Committee believes that the combination of these two approaches in this Policy will result in an effective and efficient procedure to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors. As set forth in this Policy, unless a type of service has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval authority has been delegated)

 


(1)           This Audit Committee Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures (the “Policy”), adopted as of the date above, supersedes and replaces all prior versions that may have been adopted from time to time.

 



 

if it is to be provided by the Independent Auditors. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts will also require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

 

The appendices to this Policy describe the Audit, Audit-related, Tax and All Other services that have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee considers and provides a different period and states otherwise. The Audit Committee will annually review and pre-approve the services that may be provided by the Independent Auditors without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will add to or subtract from the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations.

 

The purpose of this Policy is to set forth the policy and procedures by which the Audit Committee intends to fulfill its responsibilities. It does not delegate the Audit Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the Independent Auditors to management.

 

The Fund’s Independent Auditors have reviewed this Policy and believes that implementation of the Policy will not adversely affect the Independent Auditors’ independence.

 

2.     Delegation

 

As provided in the Act and the SEC’s rules, the Audit Committee may delegate either type of pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

3.     Audit Services

 

The annual Audit services engagement terms and fees are subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit services include the annual financial statement audit and other procedures required to be performed by the Independent Auditors to be able to form an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements. These other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews and testing performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems of internal control, and consultations relating to the audit. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, Fund structure or other items.

 

In addition to the annual Audit services engagement approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to other Audit services, which are those services that only the Independent Auditors reasonably can provide. Other Audit services may include statutory audits and services associated with SEC registration statements (on Forms N-1A, N-2, N-3, N-4, etc.), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit

 



 

Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

4.     Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors. Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services. Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix B.2. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix B.2 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

5.     Tax Services

 

The Audit Committee believes that the Independent Auditors can provide Tax services to the Fund and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities, such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor’s independence, and the SEC has stated that the Independent Auditors may provide such services.

 

Pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Audit Committee has pre-approved the Tax Services in Appendix B.3. All Tax services in Appendix B.3 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

6.     All Other Services

 

The Audit Committee believes, based on the SEC’s rules prohibiting the Independent Auditors from providing specific non-audit services, that other types of non-audit services are permitted. Accordingly, the Audit Committee believes it may grant general pre-approval to those permissible non-audit services classified as All Other services that it believes are routine and recurring services, would not impair the independence of the auditor and are consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the All Other services in Appendix B.4. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix B.4 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 



 

7.     Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

Pre-approval fee levels or budgeted amounts for all services to be provided by the Independent Auditors will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels or amounts will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is mindful of the overall relationship of fees for audit and non-audit services in determining whether to pre-approve any such services.

 

8.     Procedures

 

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors. Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer to monitor the performance of all services provided by the Independent Auditors and to determine whether such services are in compliance with this Policy. The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and management will immediately report to the chairman of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer or any member of management.

 

9.     Additional Requirements

 

The Audit Committee has determined to take additional measures on an annual basis to meet its responsibility to oversee the work of the Independent Auditors and to assure the auditor’s independence from the Fund, such as reviewing a formal written statement from the Independent Auditors delineating all relationships between the Independent Auditors and the Fund, consistent with Independence Standards Board No. 1, and discussing with the Independent Auditors its methods and procedures for ensuring independence.

 

10.  Covered Entities

 

Covered Entities include the Fund’s investment adviser(s) and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Fund’s investment adviser(s) that provides ongoing services to the Fund(s). Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the Fund’s audit committee must pre-approve non-audit services provided not only to the Fund but also to the Covered Entities if the engagements relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. This list of Covered Entities would include:

 



 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Van Kampen Asset Management

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

(e)(2)       Beginning with non-audit service contracts entered into on or after May 6, 2003, the audit committee also is required to pre-approve services to Covered Entities to the extent that the services are determined to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the Registrant. 100% of such services were pre-approved by the audit committee pursuant to the Audit Committee’s pre-approval policies and procedures (attached hereto).

 

(f)            Not applicable.

 

(g)           See table above.

 

(h)           The audit committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of services other than audit services performed by the auditors to the Registrant and Covered Entities is compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence in performing audit services.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

(a) The Fund has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act whose members are: Michael

 



 

Bozic, Edwin J. Garn, Wayne E. Hedien, Manual H. Johnson, Joseph J. Kearns, Michael Nugent and Fergus Reid.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

Refer to Item 1.

 



 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

The Fund’s and its Investment Advisor’s Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are as follows:

 

MORGAN STANLEY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

I.              POLICY STATEMENT

 

Introduction - Morgan Stanley Investment Management’s (“MSIM”) policy and procedures for voting proxies (“Policy”) with respect to securities held in the accounts of clients applies to those MSIM entities that provide discretionary investment management services and for which a MSIM entity has authority to vote proxies. The Policy will be reviewed and, updated, as necessary, to address new or revised proxy voting issues. The MSIM entities covered by the Policy currently include the following: Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc., Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company, Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited, Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited, Morgan Stanley Hedge Fund Partners GP LP, Morgan Stanley Hedge Fund Partners LP, Van Kampen Asset Management, and Van Kampen Advisors Inc. (each an “MSIM Affiliate” and collectively referred to as the “MSIM Affiliates”).

 

Each MSIM Affiliate will use its best efforts to vote proxies as part of its authority to manage, acquire and dispose of account assets. With respect to the MSIM registered management investment companies (Van Kampen, Institutional and Advisor Funds)(collectively referred to herein as the “MSIM Funds”), each MSIM Affiliate will vote proxies under this Policy (except for the Morgan Stanley KLD Social Index Fund, which votes proxies pursuant to the Institutional Shareholder Services’ Social Investment Research Proxy Voting Guidelines) pursuant to authority granted under its applicable investment advisory agreement or, in the absence of such authority, as authorized by the Board of Directors or Trustees of the MSIM Funds. A MSIM Affiliate will not vote

 



 

proxies if the “named fiduciary” for an ERISA account has reserved the authority for itself, or in the case of an account not governed by ERISA, the investment management or investment advisory agreement does not authorize the MSIM Affiliate to vote proxies. MSIM Affiliates will, in a prudent and diligent manner, vote proxies in the best interests of clients, including beneficiaries of and participants in a client’s benefit plan(s) for which the MSIM Affiliates manage assets, consistent with the objective of maximizing long-term investment returns (“Client Proxy Standard”). In certain situations, a client or its fiduciary may provide a MSIM Affiliate with a proxy voting policy. In these situations, the MSIM Affiliate will comply with the client’s policy unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable laws or regulations or the MSIM Affiliate’s fiduciary responsibility.

 

Proxy Research Services - Institutional Shareholder Services (“ISS”) and Glass Lewis (together with other proxy research providers as MSIM Affiliates may retain from time to time, the “Research Providers”) are independent advisers that specialize in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided include in-depth research, global issuer analysis, and voting recommendations. While the MSIM Affiliates may review and utilize the recommendations of the Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, they are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and recordkeeping. MSIM’s Proxy Review Committee (see Section IV.A. below) will carefully monitor and supervise the services provided by the Research Providers.

 

Voting Proxies for Certain Non-U.S. Companies - While the proxy voting process is well established in the United States and other developed markets with a number of tools and services available to assist an investment manager, voting proxies of non-U.S. companies located in certain jurisdictions, particularly emerging markets, may involve a number of problems that may restrict or prevent a MSIM Affiliate’s ability to vote such proxies. These problems include, but are not limited to:  (i) proxy statements and ballots being written in a language other than English; (ii) untimely and/or inadequate notice of shareholder meetings; (iii) restrictions on the ability of holders outside the issuer’s jurisdiction of organization to exercise votes; (iv) requirements to vote proxies in person, (v) the imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in proximity to the shareholder meeting; and (vi) requirements to provide local agents with

 



 

power of attorney to facilitate the MSIM Affiliate’s voting instructions. As a result, clients’ non-U.S. proxies will be voted on a best efforts basis only, after weighing the costs and benefits to MSIM’s clients of voting such proxies, consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. ISS has been retained to provide assistance to the MSIM Affiliates in connection with voting their clients’ non-U.S. proxies.

 

II.            GENERAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

 

To ensure consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients, MSIM Affiliates will follow (subject to any exception set forth herein) this Policy, including the guidelines set forth below. These guidelines address a broad range of issues, including board size and composition, executive compensation, anti-takeover proposals, capital structure proposals and social responsibility issues and are meant to be general voting parameters on issues that arise most frequently. The MSIM Affiliates, however, may, pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section IV. below, vote in a manner that is not in accordance with the following general guidelines, provided the vote is approved by the Proxy Review Committee and is consistent with the Client Proxy Standard. A MSIM Affiliate will not generally vote a proxy if it has sold the affected security between the record date and the meeting date.

 

III.           GUIDELINES

 

A.            Corporate Governance Matters. The following proposals will generally be voted as indicated below, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

i.              General.

 

1.             Generally, routine management proposals will be supported. The following are examples of routine management proposals:

 

      Approval of financial statements, director and auditor reports.

 

      General updating/corrective amendments to the charter.

 

      Proposals related to the conduct of the annual meeting, except those proposals that relate to the “transaction of such other business which may come before the meeting.”

 



 

2.             Proposals to eliminate cumulative voting generally will be supported; proposals to establish cumulative voting in the election of directors will not be supported.

 

3.             Proposals requiring confidential voting and independent tabulation of voting results will be supported.

 

4.             Proposals requiring a U.S. company to have a separate Chairman and CEO will not be supported. Proposals requiring non-U.S. companies to have a separate Chairman and CEO will be supported.

 

5.             Proposals by management of non-U.S. companies regarding items that are clearly related to the regular course of business will be supported.

 

6.             Proposals to require the company to expense stock options will be supported.

 

7.             Open-ended requests for adjournment generally will not be supported.  However, where management specifically states the reason for requesting an adjournment and the requested adjournment is necessary to permit a proposal that would otherwise be supported under this Policy to be carried out (i.e. an uncontested corporate transaction), the adjournment request will be supported.

 

8.             Proposals to declassify the Board of Directors (if management supports a classified board) generally will not be supported.

 

9.             Proposal requiring that the company prepare reports that are costly to provide or that would require duplicative efforts or expenditures that are of a non-business nature or would provide no pertinent information from the perspective of institutional shareholders generally will not be supported.

 

ii.             Election of Directors. In situations where no conflict exists and where no specific governance deficiency has been noted, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee, proxies will be voted in support of nominees of management.

 

1.             The following proposals generally will be supported:

 

      Proposals requiring that a certain percentage (up to 66 2/3%) of the company’s board members be independent directors.

 



 

      Proposals requiring that members of the company’s compensation, nominating and audit committees be comprised of independent or unaffiliated directors.

 

2.             Unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee, a withhold vote will be made in the following circumstances:

 

(a)   If a company’s board is not comprised of a majority of disinsterested directors, a withhold vote will be made for interested directors. A director nominee may be deemed to be interested if the nominee has, or any time during the previous five years had, a relationship with the issuer (e.g., investment banker, counsel or other professional service provider, or familial relationship with a senior officer of the issuer)  that may impair his or her independence;

 

(b)   If a nominee who is interested is standing for election as a member of the company’s compensation, nominating or audit committees;

 

(c)   A direct conflict exists between the interests of the nominee and the public shareholders;

 

(d)   Where the nominees standing for election have not taken action to implement generally accepted governance practices for which there is a “bright line” test. These would include elimination of dead hand or slow hand poison pills, requiring audit, compensation or nominating committees to be composed of independent directors and requiring a majority independent board;

 

(e)   A nominee has failed to attend at least 75% of board meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse; or

 

(f)    A nominee serves on the board of directors for more than six companies (excluding investment companies).

 

iii.            Auditors

 

1.             Generally, management proposals for selection or ratification of auditors will be supported. However, such proposals may not be supported if the audit fees are excessive. Generally, to determine if audit fees are excessive, a 50% test will be applied for audit fees in excess of $1 million: if audit fees are $1 million or more, non-audit fees should less than 50% of the total fees paid to the auditor. If audit fees are less than $1 million, the fees will be reviewed case by case by the Proxy Review Committee.

 



 

2.             Proposals requiring auditors to attend the annual meeting of shareholders will be supported.

 

3.             Proposals to indemnify auditors will not be supported.

 

iv.            Anti-Takeover Matters

 

1.             Proposals to modify or rescind existing supermajority vote requirements to amend the charter or bylaws will be supported; proposals to amend by-laws to require a supermajority shareholder vote to pass or repeal certain provisions will not be supported.

 

2.             Proposals relating to the adoption of anti-greenmail provisions will be supported, provided that the proposal: (i) defines greenmail; (ii) prohibits buyback offers to large block holders (holders of at least 1% of the outstanding shares and in certain cases, a greater amount, as determined by the Proxy Review Committee) not made to all shareholders or not approved by disinterested shareholders; and (iii) contains no anti-takeover measures or other provisions restricting the rights of shareholders.

 

3.             Proposals requiring shareholder approval or ratification of a shareholder rights plan or poison pill will be supported.

 

B.            Capitalization changes. The following proposals generally will be voted as indicated below, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

1.             The following proposals generally will be supported:

 

      Proposals relating to capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or eliminate unequal voting rights.

 

      Proposals to increase the authorization of existing classes of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) if: (i) a clear and legitimate business purpose is stated; (ii) the number of shares requested is reasonable in relation to the purpose for which authorization is requested; and (iii) the authorization does not exceed 100% of shares currently authorized and at least 30% of the new authorization will be outstanding.

 

      Proposals to create a new class of preferred stock or for issuances of preferred stock up to 50% of issued capital.

 



 

      Proposals for share repurchase plans.

 

      Proposals to reduce the number of authorized shares of common or preferred stock, or to eliminate classes of preferred stock.

 

      Proposals to effect stock splits.

 

      Proposals to effect reverse stock splits if management proportionately reduces the authorized share amount set forth in the corporate charter. Reverse stock splits that do not adjust proportionately to the authorized share amount generally will be approved if the resulting increase in authorized shares coincides with the proxy guidelines set forth above for common stock increases.

 

2.             The following proposals generally will not be supported (notwithstanding management support).

 

      Proposals relating to capitalization changes that add classes of stock which substantially dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.

 

      Proposals to increase the authorized number of shares of existing classes of stock that carry preemptive rights or supervoting rights.

 

      Proposals to create “blank check” preferred stock.

 

      Proposals relating to changes in capitalization by 100% or more.

 

C.            Compensation. The following proposals generally will be voted as indicated below, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

1.             The following proposals generally will be supported:

 

      Proposals relating to director fees, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other companies in the country or industry.

 

      Proposals for employee stock purchase plans that permit discounts up to 15%, but only for grants that are part of a broad-based employee plan, including all non-executive employees.

 

      Proposals for the establishment of employee stock option plans and other employee ownership plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest.

 



 

      Proposals for the establishment of employee retirement and severance plans, provided that our research does not indicate that approval of the plan would be against shareholder interest.

 

2.             Blanket proposals requiring shareholder approval of all severance agreements will not be supported, however, proposals that require shareholder approval for agreements in excess of three times the annual compensation (salary and bonus) generally will be supported.

 

3.             Blanket proposals requiring shareholder approval of executive compensation generally will not be supported.

 

4.             Proposals that request or require disclosure of executive compensation in addition to the disclosure required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) regulations generally will not be supported.

 

D.            Other Recurring Items. The following proposals generally will be voted as indicated below, unless otherwise determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 

1.             Proposals to add restrictions related to social, political, environmental or special interest issues that do not relate directly to the business of the company and which do not appear to be directed specifically to the business or financial interest of the company generally will not be supported.

 

2.             Proposals requiring adherence to workplace standards that are not required or customary in market(s) to which the proposals relate will not be supported.

 

E.             Items to be reviewed by the Proxy Review Committee

 

The following types of non-routine proposals, which potentially may have a substantive financial or best interest impact on an issuer, will be voted as determined by the Proxy Review Committee.

 



 

i.              Corporate Transactions

 

      Proposals relating to mergers, acquisitions and other special corporate transactions (i.e., takeovers, spin-offs, sales of assets, reorganizations, restructurings and recapitalizations) will be examined on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, Research Providers’ research and analysis will be used along with MSIM Affiliates’ research and analysis, including, among other things, MSIM internal company-specific knowledge. Proposals for mergers or other significant transactions that are friendly, approved by the Research Providers, and where there is no portfolio manager objection, generally will be supported.

 

ii.             Compensation

 

      Proposals relating to change-in-control provisions in non-salary compensation plans, employment contracts, and severance agreements that benefit management and would be costly to shareholders if triggered. With respect to proposals related to severance and change of control situations, MSIM Affiliates will support a maximum of three times salary and bonus.

 

      Proposals relating to Executive/Director stock option plans. Generally, stock option plans should be incentive based. The Proxy Review Committee will evaluate the the quantitative criteria used by a Research Provider when considering such Research Provider’s recommendation. If the Proxy Review Committee determines that the criteria used by the Research Provider is reasonable, the proposal will be supported if it falls within a 5% band above the Research Provider’s threshold.

 

      Compensation proposals that allow for discounted stock options that have not been offered to employees in general.

 

iii.            Other

 

      Proposals for higher dividend payouts.

 

      Proposals recommending set retirement ages or requiring specific levels of stock ownership by directors.

 

      Proposals for election of directors, where a director nominee is related to MSIM (i.e. on an MSIM Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees or part of MSIM senior management) must be considered by the Proxy Review Committee. If the proposal relates to a director nominee who is on a Van Kampen Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees, to the extent that the shares of the relevant company are held by a Van Kampen Fund, the Van Kampen Board shall vote the proxies with respect to those shares, to the extent practicable. In the event that the Committee

 



 

cannot contact the Van Kampen Board in advance of the shareholder meeting, the Committee will vote such shares pursuant to the Proxy Voting Policy.

 

      Proposals requiring diversity of board membership relating to broad based social, religious or ethnic groups.

 

      Proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or broaden indemnification of directors.  Generally, the Proxy Review Committee will support such proposals provided that the officers and directors are eligible for indemnification and liability protection if they have acted in good faith on company business and were found innocent of any civil or criminal charges for duties performed on behalf of the company.

 

IV.           ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY

 

A.            Proxy Review Committee

 

1.             The MSIM Proxy Review Committee (“Committee”) is responsible for creating and implementing the Policy and, in this regard, has expressly adopted it.

 

(a)           The Committee, which is appointed by MSIM’s Chief Investment Officer (“CIO”), consists of senior investment professionals who represent the different investment disciplines and geographic locations of the firm. The Committee is responsible for establishing MSIM’s Policy and determining how MSIM will vote proxies on an ongoing basis.

 

(b)           The Committee will periodically review and have the authority to amend, as necessary, the Policy and establish and direct voting positions consistent with the Client Proxy Standard.

 

(c)           The Committee will meet at least monthly to (among other matters): (1) address any outstanding issues relating to the Policy and (2) review proposals at upcoming shareholder meetings of MSIM portfolio companies in accordance with this Policy including, as appropriate, the voting results of prior shareholder meetings of the same issuer where a similar proposal was presented to shareholders. The Committee, or its designee, will timely communicate to ISS MSIM’s Policy (and any amendments to them and/or any additional guidelines or procedures it may adopt).

 

(d)           The Committee will meet on an ad hoc basis to (among other matters): (1) authorize “split voting” (i.e., allowing certain shares of the same issuer that are the subject of the same proxy

 



 

solicitation and held by one or more MSIM portfolios to be voted differently than other shares) and/or “override voting” (i.e., voting all MSIM portfolio shares in a manner contrary to the Policy); (2) review and approve upcoming votes, as appropriate, for matters for which specific direction has been provided in this Policy; and (3)  determine how to vote matters for which specific direction has not been provided in this Policy. Split votes generally will not be approved within a single Global Investor Group investment team. The Committee may take into account Research Providers’ recommendations and research as well as any other relevant information they may request or receive, including portfolio manager and/or analyst research, as applicable.  Generally, proxies related to securities held in accounts that are managed pursuant to quantitative, index or index-like strategies (“Index Strategies”) will be voted in the same manner as those held in actively managed accounts.  Because accounts managed using Index Strategies are passively managed accounts, research from portfolio managers and/or analysts related to securities held in these accounts may not be available.  If the affected securities are held only in accounts that are managed pursuant to Index Strategies, and the proxy relates to a matter that is not described in this Policy, the Committee will consider all available information from the Research Providers, and to the extent that the holdings are significant, from the portfolio managers and/or analysts.

 

(e)           In addition to the procedures discussed above, if the Committee determines that an issue raises a potential material conflict of interest, or gives rise to the appearance of a potential material conflict of interest, the Committee will request a special committee to review, and recommend a course of action with respect to, the conflict(s) in question (“Special Committee”). The Special Committee shall be comprised of the Chairperson of the Proxy Review Committee, the Compliance Director for the area of the firm involved or his/her designee, a senior portfolio manager (if practicable, one who is a member of the Proxy Review Committee) designated by the Proxy Review Committee, and MSIM’s Chief Investment Officer or his/her designee. The Special Committee may request the assistance of MSIM’s General Counsel or his/her designee and will have sole discretion to cast a vote. In addition to the research provided by Research Providers, the Special Committee may request analysis from MSIM Affiliate investment professionals and outside sources to the extent it deems appropriate.

 

(f)            The Committee and the Special Committee, or their designee(s), will document in writing all of their decisions and actions, which

 



 

documentation will be maintained by the Committee and the Special Committee, or their designee(s), for a period of at least 6 years. To the extent these decisions relate to a security held by a MSIM U.S. registered investment company, the Committee and Special Committee, or their designee(s), will report their decisions to each applicable Board of Trustees/Directors of those investment companies at each Board’s next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The report will contain information concerning decisions made by the Committee and Special Committee during the most recently ended calendar quarter immediately preceding the Board meeting.

 

(g)           The Committee and Special Committee, or their designee(s), will timely communicate to applicable portfolio managers, the Compliance Departments and, as necessary, to ISS, decisions of the Committee and Special Committee so that, among other things, ISS will vote proxies consistent with their decisions.

 

B.            Identification of Material Conflicts of Interest

 

1.     If there is a possibility that a vote may involve a material conflict of interest, the vote must be decided by the Special Committee in consultation with MSIM’s General Counsel or his/her designee.

 

2.     A material conflict of interest could exist in the following situations, among others:

 

(a)   The issuer soliciting the vote is a client of MSIM or an affiliate of MSIM and the vote is on a material matter affecting the issuer;

 

(b)   The proxy relates to Morgan Stanley common stock or any other security issued by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates; or

 

(c)   Morgan Stanley has a material pecuniary interest in the matter submitted for a vote (e.g., acting as a financial advisor to a party to a merger or acquisition for which Morgan Stanley will be paid a success fee if completed).

 

C.            Proxy Voting Reports

 

(a)           MSIM will promptly provide a copy of this Policy to any client requesting them. MSIM will also, upon client request, promptly provide a report indicating how each proxy was voted with respect to securities held in that client’s account.

 



 

(b)           MSIM’s legal department is responsible for filing an annual Form N-PX on behalf of each registered management investment company for which such filing is required, indicating how all proxies were voted with respect to such investment company’s holdings.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

FUND MANAGEMENT

 

As of the date of this report, the Fund is managed by members of the Taxable Fixed Income team.  The team consists of portfolio managers and analysts.  The members of the team jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Fund are Abigail L. McKenna, a Managing Director of the Sub-Adviser and Eric J. Baurmeister and Federico L. Kaune, Executive Directors of the Sub-Adviser.  Ms. McKenna has been associated with the Sub-Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 1996 and joined the team managing the Fund in July 2002.   Mr. Baurmeister has been associated with the Sub-Adviser in an investment management capacity since October 1997 and joined the team managing the Fund in July 2002. Mr. Kaune has been associated with the Sub-Adviser in an investment management capacity since August 2002 and joined the team managing the Fund in August 2002.  Prior to August 2002, Mr. Kaune was the Senior Economist for Goldman Sachs.

 

The composition of the team may change without notice from time to time.

 

OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY THE PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

The following information is as of December 31, 2005.

 

As of December 31, 2005, Ms. McKenna managed seven mutual funds with a total of approximately $1.1 billion in assets; six pooled investment vehicles other than mutual funds with a total of approximately $571 million in assets; and three other accounts with a total of approximately $589.7 million in assets.

 

As of December 31, 2005, Mr. Baurmeister managed four mutual funds with a total of approximately $554.1 million in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than mutual funds; and two other accounts with a total of approximately $429.2 million in assets.

 

As of December 31, 2005, Mr. Kaune managed four mutual funds with a total of approximately $554.1 million in assets; no pooled investment vehicles other than mutual funds; and no other accounts.

 

Because the portfolio managers 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 Investment 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. The Investment 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

 

Portfolio managers receive a combination of base compensation and discretionary compensation, comprising a cash bonus and several deferred compensation programs described below. The methodology used to determine portfolio manager compensation is applied across all funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager.

 

BASE SALARY COMPENSATION. Generally, portfolio managers receive base salary compensation based on the level of their position with the Investment Adviser.

 

DISCRETIONARY COMPENSATION. In addition to base compensation, portfolio managers may receive discretionary compensation.

 

Discretionary compensation can include:

 

      Cash Bonus;

 

      Morgan Stanley’s Equity Incentive Compensation Program (EICP) awards - a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation into restricted stock units or other awards based on Morgan Stanley common stock that are subject to vesting and other conditions;

 

      Investment Management Deferred Compensation Plan (IMDCP) awards - a mandatory program that defers a portion of discretionary year-end compensation and notionally invests it in designated funds advised by the Investment Adviser or its affiliates. The award is subject to vesting and other conditions. Portfolio Managers must notionally invest a minimum of 25% to a maximum of 75% of the IMDCP deferral into a combination of the designated open-end mutual funds they manage that are included in the IMDCP fund menu;

 

      Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plans - voluntary programs that permit certain employees to elect to defer a portion of their discretionary year-end compensation and directly or notionally invest the deferred amount: (1) across a range of designated investment funds, including funds advised by the Adviser or its affiliates; and/or (2) in Morgan Stanley stock units.

 

Several factors determine discretionary compensation, which can vary by portfolio management team and circumstances. In order of relative importance, these factors include:

 

      Investment performance. A portfolio manager’s compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager. Investment performance is calculated for one-, three- and five-year periods measured against a fund’s/account’s primary benchmark (as set forth in the fund’s prospectus), indices and/or peer groups. Generally, the greatest weight is placed on the three- and five-year periods.

 

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

 

      Contribution to the business objectives of the Investment Adviser.

 

      The dollar amount of assets managed by the portfolio manager.

 

      Market compensation survey research by independent third parties.

 



 

      Other qualitative factors, such as contributions to client objectives.

 

      Performance of Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Investment Management, and the overall performance of the Global Investor Group, a department within Morgan Stanley Investment Management that includes all investment professionals.

 

SECURITIES OWNERSHIP OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

 

As of December 31, 2005, the dollar range of Fund shares beneficially owned by the portfolio managers was as follows:

 

Abigail McKenna:

None (1)

Eric J. Baurmeister:

None (1)

Federico L. Kaune

None

 


(1)   Not included in the table above, the portfolio manager has made investments in one or more mutual funds managed by the same portfolio management team pursuant to a similar strategy.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The Fund’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, based upon such officers’ evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report.

 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year (the registrant’s second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Exhibits

 

(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto.

 

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant are attached hereto as part of EX-99.CERT.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

(Registrant)

Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

Name:

Ronald E. Robison

Title:

Principal Executive Officer

Date:

February 9, 2006

 

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

 

By:

/s/ Ronald E. Robison

 

Name:

Ronald E. Robison

Title:

Principal Executive Officer

Date:

February 9, 2006

 

By:

/s/ James W. Garrett

 

Name:

James W. Garrett

Title:

Principal Financial Officer

Date:

February 9, 2006