N-CSR 1 tm2038540d1_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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: 811-07377

 

Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

John H. Gernon

522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 212-296-0289

 

Date of fiscal year end: November 30,

 

Date of reporting period: November 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 

 

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Annual Report

November 30, 2020

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), paper copies of the Fund's Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders ("Shareholder Reports") will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the Shareholder Reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or a bank. Instead, the Shareholder Reports will be made available on the Fund's website, https://www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports and you will be notified by mail each time a Shareholder Report is posted and provided with a website link to access the Shareholder Report. If you already elected to receive Shareholder Reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive Shareholder Reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary or, if you are a direct investor, please follow the instructions on the envelope.

Beginning on January 1, 2019, you may elect to receive all future Shareholder Reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your Shareholder Reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, please follow the instructions on the envelope to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your Shareholder Reports. Your election to receive Shareholder Reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with a fund.



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Table of Contents

Welcome Shareholder

   

3

   

Fund Report

   

4

   

Performance Summary

   

8

   

Expense Example

   

10

   

Portfolio of Investments

   

12

   

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   

16

   

Statement of Operations

   

17

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

18

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

19

   

Financial Highlights

   

37

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

43

   

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval

   

44

   

Liquidity Risk Management Program

   

47

   

Privacy Notice

   

48

   

Trustee and Officer Information

   

51

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

57

   


2



Welcome Shareholder,

We are pleased to provide this Annual Report, in which you will learn how your investment in Morgan Stanley Insight Fund (the "Fund") performed during the latest twelve-month period. It includes an overview of the market conditions and discusses some of the factors that affected performance during the reporting period. In addition, the report contains financial statements and a list of portfolio holdings.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is a client-centric, investor-led organization. Our global presence, intellectual capital, and breadth of products and services enable us to partner with investors to meet the evolving challenges of today's financial markets. We aim to deliver superior investment service and to empower our clients to make the informed decisions that help them reach their investment goals.

As always, we thank you for selecting Morgan Stanley Investment Management and look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

This material must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus for the fund being offered.

Market forecasts provided in this report may not necessarily come to pass. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective. The Fund is subject to market risk, which is the possibility that market values of securities owned by the Fund will decline and, therefore, the value of the Fund's shares may be less than what you paid for them. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this Fund. Please see the prospectus for more complete information on investment risks.


3



Fund Report (unaudited)

For the year ended November 30, 2020

Total Return for the 12 Months Ended November 30, 2020

 
Class A  

Class L

 

Class I

 

Class C

 

Class IS

 

Class IR

  Russell
3000®
Growth
Index1
  Lipper
Multi-Cap
Growth
Funds
Index2
 
  114.36

%

   

113.35

%

   

114.94

%

   

112.77

%

   

115.12

%

   

115.13

%

   

35.73

%

   

39.45

%

 

The performance of Morgan Stanley Insight Fund's (the "Fund") six share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Fund's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any applicable sales charges. Such costs would lower performance. See Performance Summary for standardized performance and benchmark information.

Please keep in mind that high triple-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained. Investors should also be aware that these returns were primarily achieved during favorable market conditions.

Market Conditions

U.S. stocks rallied following the COVID-19 shock, aided by massive fiscal and monetary stimulus that kept liquidity flowing and supported a faster-than-expected rebound in economic activity. Promising vaccine news also helped investors look past resurgences of the virus and renewed curbs on social and business activity that will slow the economic recovery in the short term. Political uncertainty eased after the U.S. election, with markets taking a positive stance on a Biden administration and split control of Congress.

Within the Russell 3000® Growth Index (the "Index"), the top performing sectors were consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services. Energy (the only sector with negative performance in the period), utilities and real estate were the Index's weakest performing sectors.

Performance Analysis

All share classes of the Fund outperformed both the Index and the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index for the 12 months ended November 30, 2020, assuming no deduction of applicable sales charges.

The long-term investment horizon and conviction-weighted investment approach embraced by the team since 1998 can result in periods of performance deviation from the benchmark and peers. The Fund outperformed the Index this reporting period primarily due to favorable stock selection. Sector allocation was a smaller positive contributor.

Stock selection in the information technology, consumer discretionary and health care sectors drove most of the Fund's relative outperformance. Amid the rapid shift to staying at home during the pandemic, many of the portfolio's strongest contributors were companies benefiting from accelerating demand for their products and services, including cloud-based technology solutions, digital payments, online retail and others. The top contributor to Fund performance in this period was a proprietary cloud-based communications platform that


4



connects users through frictionless video, voice, chat and content sharing. Its shares continued to advance on solid results, which significantly surpassed expectations and were characterized by strong revenue growth, customer base expansion, speed to scale in international markets, higher profit margins, traction with new products and a raised financial outlook. The company has experienced growing use of its products by both consumers and businesses as video-based communication has become mission critical during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the magnitude of the Fund's outperformance relative to the Index, there were few meaningful performance detractors. The Fund's overweight allocation to the health care sector had a marginally negative impact, although our stock selection in the sector more than compensated. The largest detractor across the whole portfolio was a video streaming platform.

There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform as discussed herein or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future.

TOP 10 HOLDINGS as of 11/30/20

 

Square, Inc., Class A

   

7.3

%

 

Zoom Video Communications, Inc., Class A

   

6.4

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A

   

5.7

   

Trade Desk, Inc. (The), Class A

   

5.0

   

Spotify Technology SA

   

4.5

   

Uber Technologies, Inc.

   

4.5

   

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A

   

4.1

   

Amazon.com, Inc.

   

3.9

   

Carvana Co.

   

3.8

   

Slack Technologies, Inc., Class A

   

3.7

   

TOP FIVE INDUSTRIES as of 11/30/20

 

Information Technology Services

   

24.3

%

 

Software

   

21.3

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

9.8

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

8.1

   

Entertainment

   

4.5

   

Subject to change daily. Provided for informational purposes only and should not be deemed as a recommendation to buy or sell the securities mentioned above. Top 10 holdings and top five industries are as a percentage of net assets.

Morgan Stanley is a full-service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities, investment banking, research and analysis, financing and financial advisory services.


5



Investment Strategy

Under normal circumstances, the Fund's assets will be invested primarily in a portfolio of common stocks of companies with market capitalizations, at the time of purchase, within the capitalization range of the companies comprising the Index, which as of December 31, 2019 was between $11.2 million and $1,304.1 billion. The Fund's "Adviser," Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc., seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in established and emerging companies. The Adviser emphasizes a bottom-up stock selection process, seeking attractive investments on an individual company basis. In selecting securities for investment, the Adviser seeks to invest in high quality companies it believes have sustainable competitive advantages and the ability to redeploy capital at high rates of return. The Adviser typically favors companies with rising returns on invested capital, above average business visibility, strong free cash flow generation and an attractive risk/reward. The Fund may invest in equity securities. The Fund may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments as discussed in the Fund's prospectus. These derivative instruments will be counted toward the Fund's exposure in the types of securities listed in the Fund's prospectus to the extent they have economic characteristics similar to such securities.

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

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. The Semi-Annual Reports and the Annual Reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Form N-CSRS and Form N-CSR, respectively. Morgan Stanley also delivers the Semi-Annual and Annual Reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. Each Morgan Stanley non-money market fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. 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 web site. However, the holdings for each money market fund are posted to the money market public website. You may, however, obtain the Form N-PORT filings (as well as the Form N-CSR and N-CSRS filings) by accessing the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC's e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov).


6



Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Fund's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 548-7786 or by visiting the Mutual Fund Center on our web site at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. It is also available on the SEC's web site 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 without charge by visiting the Mutual Fund Center on our web site at www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports. This information is also available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

Householding Notice

To reduce printing and mailing costs, the Fund attempts to eliminate duplicate mailings to the same address. The Fund delivers a single copy of certain shareholder documents, including shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy materials, to investors with the same last name who reside at the same address. Your participation in this program will continue for an unlimited period of time unless you instruct us otherwise. You can request multiple copies of these documents by calling (800) 548-7786, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. Once our Customer Service Center has received your instructions, we will begin sending individual copies for each account within 30 days.


7



Performance Summary (unaudited)

Performance of $10,000 Investment—Class A
Over 10 Years


8



Average Annual Total Returns—Period Ended November 30, 2020 (unaudited)

 

Symbol

  Class A Shares*
(since 07/28/97)
CPOAX
  Class L Shares**
(since 07/28/97)
CPOCX
  Class I Shares***
(since 07/28/97)
CPODX
  Class C Shares
(since 04/30/15)
MSCMX
  Class IS Shares††
(since 09/13/13)
MCRTX
  Class IR Shares†††
(since 07/12/19)
MBIRX
 
1 Year   114.36
103.104

%3

  113.35

%3

  114.94

%3

  112.77
111.774

%3

  115.12

%3

  115.13

%3

 
5 Years   35.023
33.574
  34.353
  35.423
  34.013
34.014
  35.453
 
 
10 Years
22.954
   

23.61  3

    22.93  3
  23.98  3
 
 
 
 
Since
Inception
  13.673
13.414
  12.923
  13.963
  30.623
30.624
  28.733
  67.673
 

Performance data quoted represents past performance, which is no guarantee of future results and current performance may be lower or higher than the figures shown. For most recent month-end performance figures, please visit www.morganstanley.com/im/shareholderreports or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate and fund shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Performance for Class A, Class L, Class I, Class C, Class IS and Class IR shares will vary due to differences in sales charges and expenses. See the Fund's current prospectus for complete details on fees and sales charges.

*  The maximum front-end sales charge for Class A is 5.25%.

**  Class L has no sales charge. Class L shares are closed to new investments.

***  Class I has no sales charge.

†  The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for Class C is 1.0% for shares redeemed within one year of purchase.

††  Class IS has no sales charge.

†††  Class IR has no sales charge.

(1)  The Russell 3000® Growth Index measures the performance of the broad growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 3000® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3000 U.S. companies representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The Index is unmanaged and its returns do not include any sales charges or fees. Such costs would lower performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

(2)  The Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted performance index of the largest qualifying funds (based on net assets) in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification. The Index, which is adjusted for capital gains distributions and income dividends, is unmanaged and should not be considered an investment. There are currently 30 funds represented in this Index. The Fund was in the Lipper Multi-Cap Growth Funds classification as of the date of this report.

(3)  Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and does not reflect the deduction of any sales charges.

(4)  Figure shown assumes reinvestment of all distributions and the deduction of the maximum applicable sales charge. See the Fund's current prospectus for complete details on fees and sales charges.

‡  Ending value assuming a complete redemption on November 30, 2020.


9



Expense Example (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments; and (2) ongoing costs, which may include advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and shareholder services (12b-1) fees, and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

This example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 06/01/20 – 11/30/20.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During Period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line of the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund's actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs, and will not help you determine the relative total cost of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


10



Expense Example (unaudited) continued

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period(1)
 
   

06/01/20

 

11/30/20

  06/01/20 –
11/30/20
 

Class A

 

Actual (56.28% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,562.80

   

$

6.92

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.60

   

$

5.45

   

Class L

 

Actual (55.89% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,558.90

   

$

10.04

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,017.15

   

$

7.92

   

Class I

 

Actual (56.48% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,564.80

   

$

5.26

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.90

   

$

4.14

   

Class C

 

Actual (55.69% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,556.90

   

$

11.63

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,015.90

   

$

9.17

   

Class IS

 

Actual (56.55% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,565.50

   

$

4.62

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.40

   

$

3.64

   

Class IR

 

Actual (56.57% return)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,565.70

   

$

4.62

   

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

 

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.40

   

$

3.64

   

  (1)  Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratios of 1.08%, 1.57%, 0.82%, 1.82%, 0.72% and 0.72% for Class A, Class L, Class I, Class C, Class IS and Class IR shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period and multiplied by 183/366 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Fund had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 1.09%, 1.58%, 0.84%, 1.83%, 0.74% and 0.73% for Class A, Class L, Class I, Class C, Class IS and Class IR shares, respectively.


11



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Portfolio of Investments  n  November 30, 2020

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 
 

VALUE

 
   

Common Stocks (90.8%)

 
   

Biotechnology (1.0%)

 
 

181,279

    Alnylam
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)
 

$

23,549,955

   
 

341,630

   

Moderna, Inc. (a)

   

52,180,566

   
     

75,730,521

   
   

Entertainment (4.5%)

 
 

1,132,840

   

Spotify Technology SA (a)

   

330,075,591

   
    Health Care Equipment &
Supplies (4.2%)
 
 

278,809

   

DexCom, Inc. (a)

   

89,129,661

   
 

297,493

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

215,994,793

   
     

305,124,454

   
    Health Care Providers &
Services (1.3%)
 
 

807,609

   

Guardant Health, Inc. (a)

   

97,817,602

   
    Health Care
Technology (4.2%)
 
 

10,234

    Agilon Health
Topco, Inc. (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost -
$3,870,089; acquired
11/7/18)
   

5,718,964

   
 

1,084,451

    Veeva Systems, Inc.,
Class A (a)
   

300,251,948

   
     

305,970,912

   
    Information Technology
Services (24.3%)
 
 

49,970

   

Adyen N.V. (a)

   

95,489,999

   
 

890,952

   

Fastly, Inc., Class A (a)

   

75,526,001

   
 

267,006

   

MongoDB, Inc. (a)

   

76,713,494

   
 

759,012

   

Okta, Inc. (a)

   

185,988,300

   
 

381,436

   

Shopify, Inc., Class A (a)

   

415,910,186

   
 

653,954

   

Snowflake, Inc., Class A (a)

   

213,084,371

   
 

2,539,383

   

Square, Inc., Class A (a)

   

535,708,238

   
 

536,189

   

Twilio, Inc., Class A (a)

   

171,628,737

   
     

1,770,049,326

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 
 

VALUE

 
    Interactive Media &
Services (9.8%)
 
 

1,621,900

   

Pinterest, Inc., Class A (a)

 

$

113,565,438

   
 

5,607,365

   

Snap, Inc., Class A (a)

   

249,079,153

   
 

5,136,532

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)

   

238,900,104

   
 

1,041,716

    Zillow Group, Inc.,
Class C (a)
   

112,307,402

   
     

713,852,097

   
    Internet & Direct Marketing
Retail (7.9%)
 
 

90,160

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

285,630,486

   
 

2,239,995

    Overstock.com, Inc. (a)
(See Note 9)
   

151,177,263

   
 

552,311

   

Wayfair, Inc., Class A (a)

   

140,485,826

   
     

577,293,575

   
    Life Sciences Tools &
Services (3.4%)
 
 

1,624,388

    10X Genomics, Inc.,
Class A (a)
   

248,710,047

   
   

Metals & Mining (0.1%)

 
 

75,749

   

Royal Gold, Inc.

   

8,367,992

   
    Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels (0.2%)
 
 

20,004

   

Texas Pacific Land Trust

   

12,200,840

   
   

Pharmaceuticals (0.3%)

 
 

440,601

    Royalty Pharma PLC, Class A
(United Kingdom)
   

18,769,603

   
   

Road & Rail (4.5%)

 
 

6,577,531

   

Uber Technologies, Inc. (a)

   

326,640,189

   
   

Software (21.3%)

 
 

1,594,908

   

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A (a)

   

119,745,693

   
 

557,771

   

Coupa Software, Inc. (a)

   

183,456,460

   
 

216,402

    MicroStrategy, Inc.,
Class A (a)
   

74,176,113

   
 

6,310,912

    Slack Technologies, Inc.,
Class A (a)
   

270,611,906

   
 

405,579

    Trade Desk, Inc. (The),
Class A (a)
   

365,455,069

   
 

515,406

   

Unity Software, Inc. (a)

   

78,331,404

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
12



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Portfolio of Investments  n  November 30, 2020 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
 

969,180

    Zoom Video
Communications, Inc.,
Class A (a)
 

$

463,616,945

   
     

1,555,393,590

   
   

Specialty Retail (3.8%)

 
 

1,103,827

   

Carvana Co. (a)

   

276,188,554

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $3,733,273,266)
   

6,622,184,893

   
   

Preferred Stocks (0.2%)

 
    Electronic Equipment,
Instruments &
Components (0.0%)
 
 

82,075

    Magic Leap,
Series C (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost -
$1,890,434; acquired
12/22/15)
   

   
    Internet & Direct
Marketing Retail (0.2%)
 
 

116,310

    Airbnb, Inc.,
Series D (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost -
$2,367,666; acquired
4/16/14)
   

4,978,068

   
 

149,242

    Overstock.com, Inc.,
Series A-1
   

8,357,552

   
     

13,335,620

   
   

Software (0.0%)

 
 

197,427

    Lookout, Inc.,
Series F (a)(b)(c)
(acquisition cost -
$2,255,228; acquired
6/17/14)
   

529,104

   
        Total Preferred Stocks
(Cost $7,334,846)
   

13,864,724

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
(000)
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Short-Term Investment (9.2%)

     
   

Investment Company

     
 

668,619

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Treasury
Securities Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 9)
(Cost $668,618,540)
 

$

668,618,540

   
Total Investments
Excluding Purchased
Options
(Cost $4,409,226,652)
   

100.2

%

   

7,304,668,157

   
Total Purchased Options
Outstanding
(Cost $22,178,292)
   

0.1

%

   

6,633,109

   
Total Investments
(Cost $4,431,404,944) (d)
   

100.3

%

   

7,311,301,266

   
Liabilities in Excess of
Other Assets
   

(0.3

)

   

(21,496,030

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

7,289,805,236

   

  (a)  Non-income producing security.

  (b)  Security cannot be offered for public resale without first being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules ("restricted security"). Acquisition date represents the day on which an enforceable right to acquire such security is obtained and is presented along with related cost in the security description. The Fund has registration rights for certain restricted securities. Any costs related to such registration are borne by the issuer. The aggregate value of restricted securities (excluding 144A holdings) at November 30, 2020 amounts to $11,226,136 and represents 0.2% of net assets.

  (c)  At November 30, 2020, the Fund held fair valued securities valued at $11,226,136, representing 0.2% of net assets. These securities have been fair valued as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Trustees.

See Notes to Financial Statements
13



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Portfolio of Investments  n  November 30, 2020 continued

  (d)  At November 30, 2020, the aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes is $4,447,017,559. The aggregate gross unrealized appreciation is $2,920,951,830 and the aggregate gross unrealized depreciation is $56,668,123, resulting in net unrealized appreciation of $2,864,283,707.

Call Options Purchased:

The Fund had the following call options purchased open at November 30, 2020:

COUNTERPARTY

 

DESCRIPTION

  STRIKE
PRICE
  EXPIRATION
DATE
  NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

VALUE

  PREMIUMS
PAID
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.99

   

Sep-21

   

913,227,521

     

913,228

   

$

1,412,763

   

$

5,530,125

   

$

(4,117,362

)

 

BNP Paribas

  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.64

   

Nov-21

   

1,137,180,586

     

1,137,181

     

4,184,824

     

6,175,633

     

(1,990,809

)

 
Royal Bank of
Scotland
  USD/CNH  

CNH

7.75

   

Jan-21

   

469,023,680

     

469,024

     

12,664

     

2,048,227

     

(2,035,563

)

 
Royal Bank of
Scotland
  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.06

   

Jul-21

   

938,121,763

     

938,122

     

880,896

     

4,975,798

     

(4,094,902

)

 
Royal Bank of
Scotland
  USD/CNH  

CNH

8.48

   

May-21

   

552,380,158

     

552,380

     

141,962

     

3,448,509

     

(3,306,547

)

 
                       

$

6,633,109

   

$

22,178,292

   

$

(15,545,183

)

 

Currency Abbreviations:

CNH  Chinese Yuan Renminbi Offshore.

USD  United States Dollar.

See Notes to Financial Statements
14



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Summary of Investments  n  November 30, 2020 continued

INDUSTRY

  VALUE   PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 

Information Technology Services

 

$

1,770,049,326

     

24.2

%

 

Software

   

1,555,922,694

     

21.3

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

713,852,097

     

9.8

   

Investment Company

   

668,618,540

     

9.1

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

590,629,195

     

8.1

   

Entertainment

   

330,075,591

     

4.5

   

Road & Rail

   

326,640,189

     

4.5

   

Health Care Technology

   

305,970,912

     

4.2

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

305,124,454

     

4.2

   

Specialty Retail

   

276,188,554

     

3.8

   

Life Sciences Tools & Services

   

248,710,047

     

3.4

   

Health Care Providers & Services

   

97,817,602

     

1.3

   

Biotechnology

   

75,730,521

     

1.0

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

18,769,603

     

0.2

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

12,200,840

     

0.2

   

Metals & Mining

   

8,367,992

     

0.1

   

Purchased Options

   

6,633,109

     

0.1

   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

   

   

0.0

   
   

$

7,311,301,266

   

100.0

%

 

  †  Includes a security valued at zero.

See Notes to Financial Statements
15



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Statements

Statement of Assets and Liabilities November 30, 2020

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value (cost $3,696,467,159)

 

$

6,491,505,463

   

Investment in affiliates, at value (cost $734,937,785)

   

819,795,803

   

Total investments in securities, at value (cost $4,431,404,944)

   

7,311,301,266

   

Receivable for:

 

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

29,491,312

   

Investments sold

   

6,463,481

   

Dividends

   

89,969

   

Dividends from affiliate

   

4,638

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

556,807

   

Total Assets

   

7,347,907,473

   

Liabilities:

 

Due to broker

   

7,231,000

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

35,886,858

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

9,614,619

   

Advisory fee

   

3,257,695

   

Distribution fee

   

919,205

   

Transfer and sub transfer agent fees

   

581,401

   

Administration fee

   

429,622

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

181,837

   

Total Liabilities

   

58,102,237

   

Net Assets

 

$

7,289,805,236

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-Capital

 

$

3,827,005,170

   

Total Distributable Earnings

   

3,462,800,066

   

Net Assets

 

$

7,289,805,236

   

Class A Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,311,047,437

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

37,767,428

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

87.67

   
Maximum Offering Price Per Share,
(net asset value plus 5.54% of net asset value)
 

$

92.53

   

Class L Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

57,565,439

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

954,551

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

60.31

   

Class I Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

3,150,156,437

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

31,915,979

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

98.70

   

Class C Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

373,579,931

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

6,323,384

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

59.08

   

Class IS Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

81,699,166

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

823,848

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

99.17

   

Class IR Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

315,756,826

   
Shares Outstanding (unlimited shares authorized, $0.01 par value)    

3,175,802

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

99.43

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
16



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Statements continued

Statement of Operations For the year ended November 30, 2020

Net Investment Loss:
Income
 

Dividends from affiliate (Note 9)

 

$

410,037

   

Dividends

   

142,402

   

Income from securities loaned - net

   

16,711

   

Total Income

   

569,150

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

24,545,569

   

Distribution fee (Class A shares) (Note 5)

   

4,503,184

   

Distribution fee (Class L shares) (Note 5)

   

311,082

   

Distribution fee (Class C shares) (Note 5)

   

2,090,666

   

Sub transfer agent fees and expenses (Class A shares)

   

1,933,974

   

Sub transfer agent fees and expenses (Class L shares)

   

32,475

   

Sub transfer agent fees and expenses (Class I shares)

   

1,651,586

   

Sub transfer agent fees and expenses (Class C shares)

   

135,571

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

3,128,049

   

Registration fees

   

427,552

   

Professional fees

   

273,156

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class A shares) (Note 6)

   

93,305

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class L shares) (Note 6)

   

6,916

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class I shares) (Note 6)

   

72,637

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class C shares) (Note 6)

   

85,837

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class IS shares) (Note 6)

   

2,366

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses (Class IR shares) (Note 6)

   

1,854

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

227,956

   

Custodian fees (Note 8)

   

84,587

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

45,904

   

Interest expenses

   

5,962

   

Other

   

107,456

   

Total Expenses

   

39,767,644

   

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 9)

   

(411,435

)

 

Less: reimbursement of class specific expenses (Class IS shares) (Note 4)

   

(1,662

)

 

Net Expenses

   

39,354,547

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(38,785,397

)

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Realized Gain on:

 

Investments

   

647,439,078

   

Foreign currency translation

   

22,516

   

Net Realized Gain

   

647,461,594

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

2,528,380,817

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 9)

   

107,305,384

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,635,686,201

   

Net Gain

   

3,283,147,795

   

Net Increase

 

$

3,244,362,398

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
17



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
 
   

NOVEMBER 30, 2020

 

NOVEMBER 30, 2019

 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:
Operations:
 

Net investment loss

 

$

(38,785,397

)

 

$

(10,875,010

)

 

Net realized gain

   

647,461,594

     

155,541,207

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

2,635,686,201

     

85,580,496

   

Net Increase

   

3,244,362,398

     

230,246,693

   

Dividend and Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Class A shares

   

(66,916,406

)

   

(51,484,042

)

 

Class B shares*

   

     

(109,991

)

 

Class L shares

   

(2,911,040

)

   

(3,141,353

)

 

Class I shares

   

(40,209,300

)

   

(19,705,307

)

 

Class C shares

   

(10,874,279

)

   

(3,223,954

)

 

Class IS shares

   

(46,690

)

   

(205,167

)

 

Class IR shares

   

(7,708,562

)

   

   

Total Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders

   

(128,666,277

)

   

(77,869,814

)

 

Net increase from transactions in shares of beneficial interest

   

2,113,126,720

     

959,739,554

   

Net Increase

   

5,228,822,841

     

1,112,116,433

   

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

2,060,982,395

     

948,865,962

   

End of Period

 

$

7,289,805,236

   

$

2,060,982,395

   

*  All Class B shares were redeemed/converted to class A shares as of May 21, 2019.

See Notes to Financial Statements
18



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Insight Fund (the "Fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance. The Fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on October 17, 1995 and commenced operations on February 27, 1996. On July 28, 1997, the Fund converted to a multiple class share structure.

The Fund offers Class A shares, Class B shares, Class L shares, Class I shares, Class C shares, Class IS shares and Class IR shares. The seven classes are substantially the same except that most Class A shares are subject to a sales charge imposed at the time of purchase and some Class A shares, most Class B shares and most Class C shares are subject to a contingent deferred sales charge imposed on shares redeemed within eighteen months, six years and one year, respectively. Class L shares, Class I shares, Class IS shares and Class IR shares are not subject to a sales charge. Additionally, Class A shares, Class L shares and Class C shares incur distribution expenses. As of this reporting period, all Class B shares were redeemed/converted to Class A shares and there were no shares outstanding. Accordingly, no financial highlights have been presented for Class B.

The Fund suspended offering Class L shares to all investors (April 30, 2015). Class L shareholders of the Fund do not have the option of purchasing additional Class L shares. However, the existing Class L shareholders may invest through reinvestment of dividends and distributions. In addition, Class L shares of the Fund may be exchanged for Class L shares of any Morgan Stanley Multi-Class Fund, even though Class L shares are closed to investors.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — (1) An equity portfolio security listed or traded on an exchange is valued at its latest reported sales price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), and if there were no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. Listed equity securities not traded on the valuation date with no reported bid and asked prices available on the exchange are valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter ("OTC") market quotations are readily available are valued at the latest reported sales price (or at the


19



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

market official closing price if such market reports an official closing price), and if there was no trading in the security on a given day and if there is no official closing price from relevant markets for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available on the relevant markets. An unlisted equity security that does not trade on the valuation date and for which bid and asked prices from the relevant markets are unavailable is valued at the mean between the current bid and asked prices obtained from one or more reputable brokers or dealers; (3) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley determines that the closing price, last sale price or the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices are not reflective of a security's market value, portfolio securities are valued at their fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees"). Occasionally, developments affecting 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 New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). If developments occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, such valuations may be adjusted to reflect the estimated fair value of such securities as of the close of the NYSE, as determined in good faith by the Trustees or by the Adviser using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Trustees; (4) quotations of foreign portfolio securities, other assets and liabilities and forward contracts stated in foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents at the prevailing market rates prior to the close of the NYSE; (5) listed options are valued at the last reported sales price on the exchange on which they are listed (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price). If an official closing price or last reported sales price is unavailable, the listed option should be fair valued at the mean between its latest bid and ask prices. Unlisted options are valued at the mean between their latest bid and ask prices from a broker/dealer or valued by a pricing service/vendor; (6) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service/vendor approved by the Trustees. The pricing service/vendor may employ a pricing model that takes into account, among other things, bids, yield spreads and/or other market data and specific security characteristics. Alternatively, if a valuation is not available from an outside pricing service/vendor, and the security trades on an exchange, the security may be valued at its latest reported sale price (or at the exchange official closing price if such exchange reports an official closing price), prior to the time when assets are valued. If there are no sales on a given day and if there is no official exchange closing price for that day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices if such bid and asked prices are available in the relevant exchanges. If only bid prices are available then the latest bid price may be used. If the Adviser, a wholly-owned


20



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, determines that the price provided by the outside pricing service/vendor or exchange does not reflect the security's fair value or is unable to provide a price, prices from brokers or dealers may also be utilized. In these circumstances, the value of the security will be the mean of bid and asked prices obtained from brokers or dealers; and (7) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value ("NAV") as of the close of each business day.

The Trustees have responsibility for determining in good faith the fair value of the investments, and the Trustees may appoint others, such as the Fund's Adviser or a valuation committee, to assist the Trustees in determining fair value and to make the actual calculations pursuant to the fair valuation methodologies previously approved by the Trustees. Under procedures approved by the Trustees, the Fund's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee whose members are approved by the Trustees. The Valuation Committee provides administration and oversight of the Fund's valuation policies and procedures, which are reviewed at least annually by the Trustees. These procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

B. Accounting for Investments — Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined by the identified cost method. Dividend income and other distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income. Interest income is accrued daily as earned.

C. Multiple Class Allocations — Investment income, realized and unrealized gain (loss) and non-class specific expenses are allocated daily based upon the proportion of net assets of each class. Class specific expenses are borne by the respective share classes and include Distribution, Transfer Agent and Sub Transfer Agent fees.

D. Foreign Currency Translation and Foreign Investments — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars as follows:

— investments, other assets and liabilities at the prevailing rate 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


21



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

market prices of 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) on investments in securities are included in the reported net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investment transactions and balances. However, pursuant to U.S. federal income tax regulations, gains and losses from certain foreign currency transactions and the foreign currency portion of gains and losses realized on sales and maturities of foreign denominated debt securities are treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains (losses) from foreign currency forward exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains (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. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statement of Operations.

E. Securities Lending — The Fund may lend securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned that might occur and any interest earned or dividends declared on those securities during the term of the loan would remain in the Fund. The Fund receives cash or securities as collateral in an amount equal to or exceeding 100% of the current fair value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked-to-market daily by State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street"), the securities lending agent, to ensure that a minimum of 100% collateral coverage is maintained.

Based on pre-established guidelines, the securities lending agent invests any cash collateral that is received in an affiliated money market portfolio and repurchase agreements. Securities lending income is generated from the earnings on the invested collateral and borrowing fees, less any rebates owed to the borrowers and compensation to the lending agent, and is recorded as "Income from securities loaned — net" in the Fund's Statement of Operations.

The Fund has the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

As of November 30, 2020, there were no securities out on loan.

F. Restricted Securities — The Fund invests in unregistered or otherwise restricted securities. The term "restricted securities" refers to securities that are unregistered or are held by control persons of the issuer and securities that are subject to contractual restrictions on their resale. As a result,


22



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

restricted securities may be more difficult to value and the Fund may have difficulty disposing of such assets either in a timely manner or for a reasonable price. In order to dispose of an unregistered security, the Fund, where it has contractual rights to do so, may have to cause such security to be registered. A considerable period may elapse between the time the decision is made to sell the security and the time the security is registered so that the Fund can sell it. Contractual restrictions on the resale of securities vary in length and scope and are generally the result of a negotiation between the issuer and the acquirer of the securities. The Fund would, in either case, bear market risks during that period. Restricted securities, if any, are identified in the Portfolio of Investments.

G. Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid semiannually. Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

H. Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

I. Indemnifications — 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.

2. Fair Valuation Measurements

Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards CodificationTM ("ASC") 820, "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), defines fair value as the value that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in a timely transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. ASC 820 establishes a three-tier hierarchy to distinguish between (1) inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs); and (2) inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in valuing an asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs) and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. The inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1 — unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments


23



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

•  Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

•  Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments. 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.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities and the determination of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to each security.

The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of November 30, 2020:

INVESTMENT TYPE

  LEVEL 1
UNADJUSTED
QUOTED
PRICES
  LEVEL 2
OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
  LEVEL 3
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
 

TOTAL

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Biotechnology

 

$

75,730,521

   

$

   

$

   

$

75,730,521

   

Entertainment

   

330,075,591

     

     

     

330,075,591

   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   

305,124,454

     

     

     

305,124,454

   

Health Care Providers & Services

   

97,817,602

     

     

     

97,817,602

   

Health Care Technology

   

300,251,948

     

     

5,718,964

     

305,970,912

   

Information Technology Services

   

1,770,049,326

     

     

     

1,770,049,326

   

Interactive Media & Services

   

713,852,097

     

     

     

713,852,097

   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

577,293,575

     

     

     

577,293,575

   

Life Sciences Tools & Services

   

248,710,047

     

     

     

248,710,047

   

Metals & Mining

   

8,367,992

     

     

     

8,367,992

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

12,200,840

     

     

     

12,200,840

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

18,769,603

     

     

     

18,769,603

   

Road & Rail

   

326,640,189

     

     

     

326,640,189

   

Software

   

1,555,393,590

     

     

     

1,555,393,590

   

Specialty Retail

   

276,188,554

     

     

     

276,188,554

   

Total Common Stocks

   

6,616,465,929

     

     

5,718,964

     

6,622,184,893

   


24



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

INVESTMENT TYPE

  LEVEL 1
UNADJUSTED
QUOTED
PRICES
  LEVEL 2
OTHER
SIGNIFICANT
OBSERVABLE
INPUTS
  LEVEL 3
SIGNIFICANT
UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
 

TOTAL

 

Preferred Stocks

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments &
Components
 

$

   

$

   

$

 

$

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

   

8,357,552

     

     

4,978,068

     

13,335,620

   

Software

   

     

     

529,104

     

529,104

   

Total Preferred Stocks

   

8,357,552

     

     

5,507,172

   

13,864,724

 

Call Options Purchased

   

     

6,633,109

     

     

6,633,109

   

Short-Term Investment

 

Investment Company

   

668,618,540

     

     

     

668,618,540

   

Total Assets

 

$

7,293,442,021

   

$

6,633,109

   

$

11,226,136

 

$

7,311,301,266

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment's valuation changes.

Following is a reconciliation of investments in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:

    COMMON
STOCK
  PREFERRED
STOCKS
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

4,599,774

   

$

10,275,905

   

Purchases

   

     

   

Sales

   

     

   

Amortization of discount

   

     

   

Transfers in

   

     

   

Transfers out

   

     

   

Corporate actions

   

     

   

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

1,119,190

     

(4,768,733

)

 

Realized gains (losses)

   

     

   

Ending Balance

 

$

5,718,964

   

$

5,507,172

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments still
held as of November 30, 2020
 

$

1,119,190

   

$

(4,768,733

)

 

†  Includes a security valued at zero.


25



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

The following table presents additional information about valuation techniques and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of November 30, 2020. Various valuation techniques were used in the valuation of certain investments and weighted based on the level of significance. The Fund calculated the weighted averages of the unobservable inputs relative to each investment's fair value as of November 30, 2020.

    FAIR VALUE AT
NOVEMBER 30,
2020
  VALUATION
TECHNIQUE
  UNOBSERVABLE
INPUT
  AMOUNT OR RANGE/
WEIGHTED AVERAGE*
  IMPACT TO
VALUATION FROM
AN INCREASE
IN INPUT**
 

Common Stock

 

$

5,718,964

    Discounted Cash
Flow
  Weighted
Average Cost of
Capital
   

12.5

%

 

Decrease

 
            Perpetual
Growth Rate
   

3.5

%

 

Increase

 
        Market
Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/
Revenue
   

1.1

x

 

Increase

 
            Discount for
Lack of
Marketability
   

12.0

%

 

Decrease

 

Preferred Stocks

 

$

5,507,172

    Discounted Cash
Flow
  Weighted
Average Cost of
Capital
   

13.0%–18.0%/14.3%

   

Decrease

 
            Perpetual Growth
Rate
 
3.0%–4.0%/3.5%
 
Increase
 
        Market
Comparable
Companies
  Enterprise
Value/
Revenue
   

1.5x–36.8x/7.0x

   

Increase

 
            Discount for
Lack of
Marketability
 
9.0%–16.0%/9.7%
 
Decrease
 
        Comparable
Transactions
  Enterprise
Value/
Revenue
   

3.9

x

 

Increase

 

*  Amount is indicative of the weighted average.

**  Represents the expected directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase in the corresponding input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant changes in these inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

3. Derivatives

The Fund may, but it is not required to, use derivative instruments for a variety of purposes, including hedging, risk management, portfolio management or to earn income. Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is based, in part, on the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, index or


26



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

financial instrument. Prevailing interest rates and volatility levels, among other things, also affect the value of derivative instruments. A derivative instrument often has risks similar to its underlying asset and may have additional risks, including imperfect correlation between the value of the derivative and the underlying asset, risks of default by the counterparty to certain transactions, magnification of losses incurred due to changes in the market value of the securities, instruments, indices or interest rates to which the derivative instrument relates, risks that the transactions may not be liquid and risks arising from margin requirements. The use of derivatives involves risks that are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with other portfolio investments. Derivatives may involve the use of highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with other portfolio investments. All of the Fund's holdings, including derivative instruments, are marked-to-market each day with the change in value reflected in unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Upon disposition, a realized gain or loss is recognized.

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

Following is a description of the derivative instruments and techniques that the Fund used during the period and their associated risks:

Options — In respect to options, the Fund is subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If the Fund buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed-upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium paid by the Fund. The Fund may purchase put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease the Fund's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, the Fund bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, the Fund may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the purchased option contracts; however the risk of loss is limited to the premium paid. Purchased options are reported as part of "Total Investments in Securities" in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premium paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If the Fund sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to the Fund a specific amount of the underlying instrument or


27



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

foreign currency, or futures contract on the underlying instrument or foreign currency, at an agreed upon price during a period of time or on a specified date typically in exchange for a premium received by the Fund. When options are purchased OTC, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty that wrote the option will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the option contract. Options may also be illiquid and the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived option transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. The prices of options can be highly volatile and the use of options can lower total returns.

FASB ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"), is intended to improve financial reporting about derivative instruments by requiring enhanced disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund's financial position and results of operations.

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of November 30, 2020:

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

  ASSET DERIVATIVES STATEMENT OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

 

Currency Risk

 

Investments, at Value (Purchased Options)

 

$

6,633,109

(a)

 

(a)  Amounts are included in Investments in securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure the Fund's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended November 30, 2020 in accordance with ASC 815:

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVES

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(b)

 

Currency Risk

 

$

(5,146,301

)

 

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVES

PRIMARY RISK EXPOSURE

 

PURCHASED OPTIONS(b)

 

Currency Risk

 

$

(11,750,843

)

 

(b)  Amount are included in Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments in the Statement of Operations.


28



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

At November 30, 2020, the Fund's derivative assets and liabilities are as follows:

GROSS AMOUNTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES PRESENTED IN THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

DERIVATIVES

 

ASSETS(c)

 

LIABILITIES(c)

 

Purchased Options

 

$

6,633,109

(a)

 

$

   

(a)  Amounts are included in Investments in securities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

(c)  Absent an event of default or early termination, OTC derivative assets and liabilities are presented gross and not offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund typically enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreements ("ISDA Master Agreements") or similar master agreements (collectively, "Master Agreements") with its contract counterparties for certain OTC derivatives in order to, among other things, reduce its credit risk to counterparties. ISDA Master Agreements include provisions for general obligations, representations, collateral and events of default or termination. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund typically may offset with the counterparty certain OTC derivative financial instruments' payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment (close-out netting) in the event of default, termination and/or potential deterioration in the credit quality of the counterparty. Various Master Agreements govern the terms of certain transactions with counterparties, including transactions such as swap, forward, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements. These Master Agreements typically attempt to reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions by specifying credit protection mechanisms and providing standardization that improves legal certainty. Cross-termination provisions under Master Agreements typically provide that a default in connection with one transaction between the Fund and a counterparty gives the non-defaulting party the right to terminate any other transactions in place with the defaulting party to create one single net payment due to/due from the defaulting party and may be a feature in certain Master Agreements. In the event the Fund exercises its right to terminate a Master Agreement after a counterparty experiences a termination event as defined in the Master Agreement, the return of collateral with market value in excess of the Fund's net liability may be delayed or denied.


29



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

The following table presents derivative financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of November 30, 2020:

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

COUNTERPARTY

  GROSS ASSET DERIVATIVES
PRESENTED IN THE STATEMENT
OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENT
  COLLATERAL
RECEIVED(d)
  NET AMOUNT
(NOT LESS THAN $0)
 

BNP Paribas

 

$

5,597,587

   

$

   

$

(5,597,587

)

 

$

0

   

Royal Bank of Scotland

   

1,035,522

     

     

(1,035,522

)

   

0

   

Total

 

$

6,633,109

   

$

   

$

(6,633,109

)

 

$

0

   

(d)  In some instances, the actual collateral received may be more than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

For the year ended November 30, 2020, the average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Purchased Options:

 

Average monthly notional amount

   

1,981,008,978

   

4. Advisory/Administration Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, the Fund pays an advisory fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, by applying the following annual rates to the net assets of the Fund determined as of the close of each business day: 0.67% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.645% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.62% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.595% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3 billion. For the year ended November 30, 2020, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.62% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

The Adviser also serves as the Administrator to the Fund and provides administrative services pursuant to an Administration Agreement for an annual fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, of 0.08% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Under a Sub-Administration Agreement between the Administrator and State Street, State Street provides certain administrative services to the Fund. For such services, the Administrator pays State Street a portion of the fee the Administrator receives from the Fund.

The Adviser/Administrator has agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse the Fund so that total annual operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.27% for Class A, 1.77% for Class L, 0.92% for Class I, 2.02% for Class C, 0.85% for Class IS and 0.85% for


30



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

Class IR. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year from the date of the Fund's prospectus or until such time that the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or expense reimbursements when they deem such action is appropriate. For the year ended November 30, 2020, $1,662 of other expenses were reimbursed by the Adviser pursuant to this arrangement.

5. Plan of Distribution

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser/Administrator. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. The Plan provides that the Fund will pay the Distributor a fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the following annual rates: (i) Class A — up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares; (ii) Class L — up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class L shares; and (iii) Class C — up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares.

In the case of Class A shares, Class L shares and Class C shares, expenses incurred pursuant to the Plan in any calendar year in excess of 0.25%, 0.75% and 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class A shares, Class L shares and Class C shares, respectively, will not be reimbursed by the Fund through payments in any subsequent year, except that expenses representing a gross sales commission credited to Financial Intermediaries at the time of sale may be reimbursed in the subsequent calendar year. For the year ended November 30, 2020, the distribution fee was accrued for Class A shares, Class L shares and Class C shares at the annual rate of 0.25%, 0.75% and 1.00%, respectively.

The Distributor has informed the Fund that for the year ended November 30, 2020, it received contingent deferred sales charges from certain redemptions of the Fund's Class A shares and Class C shares of $297,744 and $104,293, respectively, and received $4,271,716 in front-end sales charges from sales of the Fund's Class A shares. The respective shareholders pay such charges, which are not an expense of the Fund.

6. Dividend Disbursing and Transfer Agent

The Fund's dividend disbursing and transfer agent is DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. ("DST"). Pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement, the Fund pays DST a fee based on the number of classes, accounts and transactions relating to the Fund.


31



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

7. Shares of Beneficial Interest

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
  FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, 2019
 
   

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

SHARES

 

AMOUNT

 

CLASS A SHARES

 

Sold

   

28,362,363

   

$

1,752,715,329

     

20,391,752

   

$

850,366,383

   

Conversion from Class B

   

     

     

29,005

     

1,171,859

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

1,676,943

     

65,970,918

     

1,437,102

     

50,624,623

   

Redeemed

   

(16,162,688

)

   

(948,672,904

)

   

(14,154,418

)

   

(576,146,969

)

 

Net increase — Class A

   

13,876,618

     

870,013,343

     

7,703,441

     

326,015,896

   

CLASS B SHARES*

 

Exchanged

   

     

     

4,226

     

101,883

   

Conversion to Class A

   

     

     

(41,351

)

   

(1,171,859

)

 

Reinvestment of distributions

   

     

     

4,500

     

109,747

   

Redeemed

   

     

     

(5,025

)

   

(135,690

)

 

Net decrease — Class B

   

     

     

(37,650

)

   

(1,095,919

)

 

CLASS L SHARES

 

Exchanged

   

2,160

     

65,436

     

3,226

     

82,000

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

103,404

     

2,810,518

     

120,388

     

3,021,754

   

Redeemed

   

(175,960

)

   

(7,262,054

)

   

(128,046

)

   

(3,520,419

)

 

Net decrease — Class L

   

(70,396

)

   

(4,386,100

)

   

(4,432

)

   

(416,665

)

 

CLASS I SHARES

 

Sold

   

31,050,994

     

2,035,840,229

     

17,742,740

     

817,693,352

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

901,879

     

39,845,021

     

487,663

     

19,214,806

   

Redeemed

   

(14,975,673

)

   

(987,946,035

)

   

(9,218,692

)

   

(414,426,216

)

 

Net increase — Class I

   

16,977,200

     

1,087,739,215

     

9,011,711

     

422,481,942

   

CLASS C SHARES

 

Sold

   

3,627,926

     

144,925,686

     

3,246,095

     

94,572,595

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

398,522

     

10,640,545

     

126,376

     

3,177,290

   

Redeemed

   

(1,534,803

)

   

(58,664,203

)

   

(535,274

)

   

(14,950,085

)

 

Net increase — Class C

   

2,491,645

     

96,902,028

     

2,837,197

     

82,799,800

   

CLASS IS SHARES

 

Sold

   

852,476

     

74,165,508

     

1,609,293

     

75,398,760

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

1,053

     

46,690

     

4,296

     

204,258

   

Redeemed

   

(38,308

)

   

(3,062,526

)

   

(1,621,817

)

   

(83,690,927

)

 

Net increase (decrease) — Class IS

   

815,221

     

71,149,672

     

(8,228

)

   

(8,087,909

)

 

CLASS IR SHARES

 

Sold

   

1,005,248

     

44,000,000

     

2,710,570

     

138,042,409

   

Reinvestment of distributions

   

173,382

     

7,708,562

     

     

   

Redeemed

   

(713,398

)

   

(60,000,000

)

   

     

   

Net increase (decrease) — Class IR

   

465,232

     

(8,291,438

)

   

2,710,570

**

   

138,042,409

**

 

Net increase in Fund

   

34,555,520

   

$

2,113,126,720

     

22,212,609

   

$

959,739,554

   

*  All Class B shares were redeemed/converted to class A shares as of May 21, 2019.

**  For the period July 12, 2019 through November 30, 2019.


32



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

8. Custodian Fees

State Street (the "Custodian") also serves as Custodian for the Fund in accordance with a Custodian Agreement. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of the Fund as required by the 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.

9. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the year ended November 30, 2020, aggregated $3,367,832,052 and $2,051,454,433, respectively.

The Fund invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds — Treasury Securities Portfolio (the "Liquidity Funds"), an open-end management investment company managed by the Adviser, both directly and as a portion of the securities held as collateral on loaned securities. Advisory fees paid by the Fund are reduced by an amount equal to its pro-rata share of the advisory and administration fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds. For the year ended November 30, 2020, advisory fees paid were reduced by $411,435 relating to the Fund's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of the Fund's transactions in shares of affiliated investments during the year ended November 30, 2020 is as follows:

AFFILIATED
INVESTMENT
COMPANY/
ISSUER
  VALUE
NOVEMBER 30,
2019
  PURCHASES
AT COST
  PROCEEDS
FROM SALES
  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)
  CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
  VALUE
NOVEMBER 30,
2020
 

Liquidity Funds

 

$

40,666,540

   

$

2,659,421,486

   

$

2,031,469,486

   

$

410,037

   

$

   

$

   

$

668,618,540

   
Overstock.com,
Inc.
   

10,867,218

     

33,004,661

     

     

     

     

107,305,384

     

151,177,263

   
   

$

51,533,758

   

$

2,692,426,147

   

$

2,031,469,486

   

$

410,037

   

$

   

$

107,305,384

   

$

819,795,803

   

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities ("cross-trade") from and to other Morgan Stanley funds as well as other funds and client accounts for which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser serves as investment adviser, pursuant to procedures approved by the Trustees in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the "Rule"). Each cross-trade is executed at the current market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended November 30, 2020, the Fund engaged in cross-trade purchases of $2,551,740.

The Fund has an unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan"), which allows each independent Trustee to defer payment of all, or a portion, of the fees he or she receives for serving on


33



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

the Board of Trustees. Each eligible Trustee generally may elect to have the deferred amounts credited with a return equal to the total return on one or more of the Morgan Stanley funds that are offered as investment options under the Compensation Plan. Appreciation/depreciation and distributions received from these investments are recorded with an offsetting increase/decrease in the deferred compensation obligation and do not affect the NAV of the Fund.

10. Federal Income Tax Status

It is the Fund's intention to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable and tax-exempt 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 based on net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized appreciation as such income and/or gains are earned. Taxes may also be based on transactions in foreign currency and are accrued based on the value of investments denominated in such currency.

FASB ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes — Overall", sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Management has concluded there are no significant uncertain tax positions that would require recognition in the financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statement of Operations. The Fund files tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Generally, each of the tax years in the four-year period ended November 30, 2020 remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown for GAAP purposes due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

2020 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:  

2019 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

 
ORDINARY
INCOME
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
  ORDINARY
INCOME
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
$

5,798,703

   

$

122,867,574

   

$

25,798,557

   

$

52,071,257

   

The amount and character of income and gains to be distributed are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature.


34



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

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

The Fund had no permanent differences causing reclassifications among the components of net assets for the year ended November 30, 2020.

At November 30, 2020, the components of distributable earnings for the Fund on a tax basis were as follows:

UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
$

45,395,473

   

$

553,159,067

 

11. Market Risk and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

The Fund may lend securities to qualified financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, to earn additional income. Risks in securities lending transactions are that a borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or return the securities when due, and that the value of the short-term investments will be less than the amount of cash collateral plus any rebate that is required to be returned to the borrower.

Foreign security and currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of U.S. dollar denominated transactions as a result of, among other factors, fluctuations of exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar, the possibility of lower levels of governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets and the possibility of political or economic instability.

Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could impact the operations and financial performance of certain of the Fund's investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund's investments will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial performance of the Fund's investments is impacted because of these factors for an extended period, the Fund's investment results may be adversely affected.

12. Credit Facility

The Fund and other Morgan Stanley funds participated in a $300,000,000 committed, unsecured revolving line of credit facility (the "Facility") with State Street. This Facility is to be used for temporary emergency purposes or funding of shareholder redemption requests. The interest rate on borrowings is


35



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Notes to Financial Statements  n  November 30, 2020 continued

based on the federal funds rate or 1 month LIBOR rate plus a spread. The Facility also has a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the unused portion of the Facility. During the year ended November 30, 2020, the Fund did not have any borrowings under the Facility.

13. Other

At November 30, 2020, the Fund had record owners of 10% or greater. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. The aggregate percentage of such owners was 21.7%.

14. Subsequent Event

In December 2020, the Trustees of the Fund approved a proposal to amend the fiscal year end from November 30 to December 31. The primary goal is to align the year end and capital gains distributions of the Fund with similar Morgan Stanley Funds.


36



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights

Selected ratios and per share data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period:

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,

 
   

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  2016(1)   

Class A Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

43.85

   

$

39.12

   

$

40.28

   

$

31.06

   

$

35.07

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.65

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.20

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

47.31

     

8.07

     

8.25

     

12.43

     

(1.00

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

46.66

     

7.78

     

8.01

     

12.13

     

(1.20

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

(3.05

)

   

(9.17

)

   

(2.91

)

   

(2.81

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

87.67

   

$

43.85

   

$

39.12

   

$

40.28

   

$

31.06

   
Total Return(3)     

114.36

%

   

21.87

%

   

24.69

%

   

42.79

%

   

(3.52

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

1.09

%(4)     

1.16

%(4)     

1.14

%(4)     

1.23

%(4)(5)     

1.23

%(4)(6)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

1.09

%(4)     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(1.08

)%(4)     

(0.70

)%(4)     

(0.64

)%(4)     

(0.86

)%(4)(5)     

(0.65

)%(4)(6)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

3,311,047

   

$

1,047,509

   

$

633,294

   

$

308,159

   

$

240,399

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

   

73

%

   

69

%

   

46

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class A shares. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against current expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2017

   

1.26

%

   

(0.89

)%

 

(6)  If the Fund had not received the reimbursement from the custodian, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2016

   

1.24

%

   

(0.66

)%

 

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
37



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,

 
   

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  2016(1)   

Class L Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

31.22

   

$

28.88

   

$

32.18

   

$

25.51

   

$

29.46

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.62

)

   

(0.35

)

   

(0.30

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(0.30

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

32.55

     

5.74

     

6.17

     

9.96

     

(0.84

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

31.93

     

5.39

     

5.87

     

9.58

     

(1.14

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

(3.05

)

   

(9.17

)

   

(2.91

)

   

(2.81

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

60.31

   

$

31.22

   

$

28.88

   

$

32.18

   

$

25.51

   
Total Return(3)     

113.35

%

   

21.29

%

   

24.10

%

   

42.02

%

   

(4.04

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

1.58

%(4)     

1.63

%(4)     

1.62

%(4)     

1.76

%(4)(5)     

1.77

%(4)(5)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

1.58

%(4)     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(1.56

)%(4)     

(1.20

)%(4)     

(1.08

)%(4)     

(1.39

)%(4)(5)     

(1.19

)%(4)(5)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

57,565

   

$

31,998

   

$

29,730

   

$

27,412

   

$

23,398

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

   

73

%

   

69

%

   

46

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class L shares. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against current expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2017

   

1.80

%

   

(1.43

)%

 

November 30, 2016

   

1.78

     

(1.20

)

 

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
38



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,

 
   

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  2016(1)   

Class I Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

48.87

   

$

43.14

   

$

43.40

   

$

33.15

   

$

37.12

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.57

)

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.16

)

   

(0.19

)

   

(0.11

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

53.24

     

8.98

     

9.07

     

13.35

     

(1.05

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

52.67

     

8.78

     

8.91

     

13.16

     

(1.16

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

(3.05

)

   

(9.17

)

   

(2.91

)

   

(2.81

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

98.70

   

$

48.87

   

$

43.14

   

$

43.40

   

$

33.15

   

Total Return(3)

   

114.94

%

   

22.17

%

   

25.06

%

   

43.23

%

   

(3.20

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

0.83

%(4)     

0.90

%(4)     

0.85

%(4)     

0.91

%(4)(5)     

0.92

%(4)(5)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

0.83

%(4)     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(0.82

)%(4)     

(0.43

)%(4)     

(0.38

)%(4)     

(0.52

)%(4)(5)     

(0.34

)%(4)(5)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

3,150,156

   

$

730,090

   

$

255,670

   

$

86,453

   

$

53,851

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

   

73

%

   

69

%

   

46

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class I shares. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against current expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2017

   

0.95

%

   

(0.56

)%

 

November 30, 2016

   

0.94

     

(0.36

)

 

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
39



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,

 
   

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  2016(1)   

Class C Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

30.72

   

$

28.53

   

$

31.96

   

$

25.41

   

$

29.42

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.74

)

   

(0.42

)

   

(0.42

)

   

(0.44

)

   

(0.36

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

31.94

     

5.66

     

6.16

     

9.90

     

(0.84

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

31.20

     

5.24

     

5.74

     

9.46

     

(1.20

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

(3.05

)

   

(9.17

)

   

(2.91

)

   

(2.81

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

59.08

   

$

30.72

   

$

28.53

   

$

31.96

   

$

25.41

   
Total Return(3)     

112.77

%

   

21.00

%

   

23.77

%

   

41.68

%

   

(4.27

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

1.83

%(4)     

1.90

%(4)     

1.89

%(4)     

2.02

%(4)(5)     

2.02

%(4)(5)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

1.83

%(4)     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(1.82

)%(4)     

(1.44

)%(4)     

(1.49

)%(4)     

(1.58

)%(4)(5)     

(1.42

)%(4)(5)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(6)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

373,580

   

$

117,696

   

$

28,371

   

$

2,656

   

$

1,107

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

   

73

%

   

69

%

   

46

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class C shares. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against current period expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Does not reflect the deduction of sales charge. Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2017

   

2.13

%

   

(1.69

)%

 

November 30, 2016

   

2.21

     

(1.61

)

 

(6)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
40



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights continued

   

FOR THE YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30,

 
   

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

  2016(1)   

Class IS Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

49.05

   

$

43.34

   

$

43.55

   

$

33.23

   

$

37.18

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.60

)

   

(0.11

)

   

(0.24

)

   

(0.18

)

   

(0.08

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

53.56

     

8.87

     

9.20

     

13.41

     

(1.06

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

52.96

     

8.76

     

8.96

     

13.23

     

(1.14

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

(3.05

)

   

(9.17

)

   

(2.91

)

   

(2.81

)

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

99.17

   

$

49.05

   

$

43.34

   

$

43.55

   

$

33.23

   

Total Return(3)

   

115.12

%

   

22.01

%

   

25.09

%

   

43.35

%

   

(3.13

)%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

0.73

%(4)(5)     

0.77

%(4)(5)     

0.84

%(4)(5)     

0.85

%(4)(5)     

0.83

%(4)(5)(6)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

0.73

%(4)(5)     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(0.75

)%(4)(5)     

(0.22

)%(4)(5)     

(0.57

)%(4)(5)     

(0.48

)%(4)(5)     

(0.25

)%(4)(5)(6)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%

   

0.00

%(7)     

0.00

%(7)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

81,699

   

$

423

   

$

730

   

$

14

   

$

10

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

   

73

%

   

69

%

   

46

%

 

(1)  Reflects prior period custodian out-of-pocket expenses that were reimbursed in September 2016. The amount of the reimbursement was immaterial on a per share basis and did not impact the total return of Class IS shares. The Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets and the Ratio of Net Investment Loss to Average Net Assets would be unchanged as the reimbursement of custodian fees was offset against current expense waivers/reimbursements with no impact to net expenses or net investment loss.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2020

   

0.76

%

   

(0.78

)%

 

November 30, 2019

   

0.78

     

(0.23

)

 

November 30, 2018

   

2.80

     

(2.53

)

 

November 30, 2017

   

17.07

     

(16.70

)

 

November 30, 2016

   

19.43

     

(18.85

)

 

(6)  If the Fund had not received the reimbursement from the custodian, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2016

   

0.84

%

   

(0.26

)%

 

(7)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements
41



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Financial Highlights continued

    FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
NOVEMBER 30, 2020
  FOR THE PERIOD
JULY 12, 2019(1) TO
NOVEMBER 30, 2019
 

Class IR Shares

 

Selected Per Share Data:

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

49.17

   

$

51.67

   

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 
Net investment loss(2)     

(0.47

)

   

(0.05

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

53.57

     

(2.45

)

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

   

53.10

     

(2.50

)

 

Less distributions from net realized gain

   

(2.84

)

   

   

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

99.43

   

$

49.17

   
Total Return(3)     

115.13

%

   

(4.84

)%(6)   

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

Net expenses

   

0.73

%(4)     

0.77

%(4)(5)(7)   

Net expenses excluding interest expenses

   

0.73

%(4)     

N/A

   

Net investment loss

   

(0.71

)%(4)     

(0.28

)%(4)(5)(7)   

Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate

   

0.01

%

   

0.01

%(7)   

Supplemental Data:

 

Net assets, end of period, in thousands

 

$

315,757

   

$

133,266

   

Portfolio turnover rate

   

55

%

   

93

%

 

(1)  Commencement of Offering.

(2)  The per share amounts were computed using an average number of shares outstanding during the period.

(3)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period.

(4)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Fund expenses in connection with investments in a Morgan Stanley affiliate during the period. The effect of the rebate on the ratios is disclosed in the above table as "Rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliate."

(5)  If the Fund had borne all of its expenses that were waived by the Adviser/Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED   EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT
LOSS RATIO
 

November 30, 2019

   

0.81

%

   

(0.32

)%

 

(6)  Not annualized.

(7)  Annualized.

See Notes to Financial Statements
42



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Insight Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Morgan Stanley Insight Fund (the "Fund"), including the portfolio of investments, as of November 30, 2020, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund at November 30, 2020, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and its financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities law and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of the Fund's internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of November 30, 2020 by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

  

We have served as the auditor of one or more Morgan Stanley investment companies since 2000.

Boston, Massachusetts
January 20, 2021


43



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited)

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services

The Board reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the investment advisory services provided by the Adviser under the advisory agreement, including portfolio management, investment research and equity and fixed income securities trading. The Board also reviewed and considered the nature and extent of the non-advisory, administrative services provided by the Administrator under the administration agreement, including accounting, operations, clerical, bookkeeping, compliance, business management and planning, legal services and the provision of supplies, office space and utilities at the Adviser's expense. The Board also considered the Adviser's investment in personnel and infrastructure that benefits the Fund. (The Adviser and Administrator together are referred to as the "Adviser" and the advisory and administration agreements together are referred to as the "Management Agreement.") The Board also considered that the Adviser serves a variety of other investment advisory clients and has experience overseeing service providers. The Board also compared the nature of the services provided by the Adviser with similar services provided by non-affiliated advisers as prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. ("Broadridge").

The Board reviewed and considered the qualifications of the portfolio managers, the senior administrative managers and other key personnel of the Adviser who provide the advisory and administrative services to the Fund. The Board determined that the Adviser's portfolio managers and key personnel are well qualified by education and/or training and experience to perform the services in an efficient and professional manner. The Board concluded that the nature and extent of the advisory and administrative services provided were necessary and appropriate for the conduct of the business and investment activities of the Fund and supported its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Performance, Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The Board reviewed the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund compared to its peers, as prepared by Broadridge, and to appropriate benchmarks where applicable. The Board discussed with the Adviser the performance goals and the actual results achieved in managing the Fund. When considering a fund's performance, the Board and the Adviser place emphasis on trends and longer-term returns (focusing on one-year, three-year and five-year performance, as of December 31, 2019, or since inception, as applicable). When a fund underperforms its benchmark and/or its peer group average, the Board and the Adviser discuss the causes of such underperformance and, where necessary, they discuss specific changes to investment strategy or investment personnel. The Board noted that the Fund's performance was better than its peer group averages for the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Board discussed with the Adviser the level of the advisory and administration fees (together, the "management fee") for this Fund relative to comparable funds and/or other accounts advised by the Adviser and/or compared to its peers as prepared by Broadridge. In addition to the management fee, the Board also reviewed the Fund's total expense ratio. The Board noted that the Fund's management fee and total expense ratio were higher than but close to its peer group averages. After discussion, the


44



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited) continued

Board concluded that the Fund's performance, management fee and total expense ratio were competitive with its peer group averages.

Economies of Scale

The Board considered the size and growth prospects of the Fund and how that relates to the Fund's total expense ratio and particularly the Fund's management fee rate, which includes breakpoints. In conjunction with its review of the Adviser's profitability, the Board discussed with the Adviser how a change in assets can affect the efficiency or effectiveness of managing the Fund and whether the management fee level is appropriate relative to current and projected asset levels and/or whether the management fee structure reflects economies of scale as asset levels change. The Board has determined that its review of the actual and/or potential economies of scale of the Fund supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Profitability of the Adviser and Affiliates

The Board considered information concerning the costs incurred and profits realized by the Adviser and its affiliates during the last year from their relationship with the Fund and during the last two years from their relationship with the Morgan Stanley Fund Complex and reviewed with the Adviser the cost allocation methodology used to determine the profitability of the Adviser and affiliates. The Board has determined that its review of the analysis of the Adviser's expenses and profitability supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Other Benefits of the Relationship

The Board considered other direct and indirect benefits to the Adviser and/or its affiliates derived from their relationship with the Fund and other funds advised by the Adviser. These benefits may include, among other things, fees for trading, distribution and/or shareholder servicing and for transaction processing and reporting platforms used by securities lending agents, and research received by the Adviser generated from commission dollars spent on funds' portfolio trading. The Board reviewed with the Adviser these arrangements and the reasonableness of the Adviser's costs relative to the services performed. The Board has determined that its review of the other benefits received by the Adviser or its affiliates supports its decision to approve the Management Agreement.

Resources of the Adviser and Historical Relationship Between the Fund and the Adviser

The Board considered whether the Adviser is financially sound and has the resources necessary to perform its obligations under the Management Agreement. The Board also reviewed and considered the historical relationship between the Fund and the Adviser, including the organizational structure of the Adviser, the policies and procedures formulated and adopted by the Adviser for managing the Fund's operations and the Board's confidence in the competence and integrity of the senior managers and key


45



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Investment Advisory Agreement Approval (unaudited) continued

personnel of the Adviser. The Board concluded that the Adviser has the financial resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under the Management Agreement and that it is beneficial for the Fund to continue its relationship with the Adviser.

Other Factors and Current Trends

The Board considered the controls and procedures adopted and implemented by the Adviser and monitored by the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer and concluded that the conduct of business by the Adviser indicates a good faith effort on its part to adhere to high ethical standards in the conduct of the Fund's business.

As part of the Board's review, the Board received information from management on the impact of COVID-19 on the firm generally and the Adviser and the Fund in particular including, among other information, the pandemic's current and expected impact on the Fund's performance and operations.

General Conclusion

After considering and weighing all of the above factors, with various written materials and verbal information presented by the Adviser, the Board concluded that it would be in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to approve renewal of the Management Agreement for another year. In reaching this conclusion the Board did not give particular weight to any single piece of information or factor referenced above. The Board considered these factors and information over the course of the year and in numerous meetings, some of which were in executive session with only the independent Board members and their counsel present. It is possible that individual Board members may have weighed these factors, and the information presented, differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the Management Agreement.


46



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Liquidity Risk Management Program (unaudited)

In compliance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Liquidity Rule"), the Fund has adopted and implemented a liquidity risk management program (the "Program"), which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the risk that the Fund could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors' interests in the Fund (i.e., liquidity risk). The Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board") previously approved the designation of the Liquidity Risk Subcommittee (the "LRS") as Program administrator. The LRS is comprised of representatives from various divisions within Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

At a meeting held on April 22-23, 2020, the Board reviewed a written report prepared by the LRS that addressed the Program's operation and assessed its adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation for the period from December 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019, as required under the Liquidity Rule. The report concluded that the Program operated effectively and was adequately and effectively implemented in all material aspects, and that the relevant controls and safeguards were appropriately designed to enable the LRS to administer the Program in compliance with the Liquidity Rule.

In accordance with the Program, the LRS assessed each Fund's liquidity risk no less frequently than annually taking into consideration certain factors, as applicable, such as (i) investment strategy and liquidity of portfolio investments, (ii) short-term and long-term cash flow projections and (iii) holdings of cash and cash equivalents and borrowing arrangements and other funding sources. Certain factors are considered under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions.

Each Fund portfolio investment is classified into one of four liquidity categories, which classification is assessed at least monthly by the LRS. The classification is based on a determination of the number of days it is reasonably expected to take to convert the investment into cash, or sell or dispose of the investment, in current market conditions without significantly changing the market value of the investment. Liquidity classification determinations take into account various market, trading and investment-specific considerations, as well as market depth, and in some cases utilize third-party vendor data.

The Liquidity Rule limits a fund's investments in illiquid investments to 15% of its net assets and requires funds that do not primarily hold assets that are highly liquid investments to determine and maintain a minimum percentage of the fund's net assets to be invested in highly liquid investments (highly liquid investment minimum or "HLIM"). The LRS believes that the Program includes provisions reasonably designed to review, monitor and comply with the 15% limit on illiquid investments and for determining, periodically reviewing and complying with the HLIM requirement, as applicable.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives under all circumstances in the future. Please refer to the Fund's prospectus for more information regarding the Fund's exposure to liquidity risk and other risks to which it may be subject.


47



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Privacy Notice (unaudited)  April 2019

FACTS

 

WHAT DOES MSIM DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why?

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

  The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:
n Social Security number and income
n investment experience and risk tolerance
n checking account number and wire transfer instructions
 

How?

 

All financial companies need to share customers' personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers' personal information; the reasons MSIM chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does MSIM share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

 
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our marketing purposes —
to offer our products and services to you
 

Yes

 

No

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

We don't share

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your transactions and experiences
 

Yes

 

No

 
For our affiliates' everyday business purposes —
information about your creditworthiness
 

No

 

We don't share

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

For non-affiliates to market to you

 

No

 

We don't share

 

Questions?  Call toll-free (844) 312-6327 or email: imprivacyinquiries@morganstanley.com


48



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Privacy Notice (unaudited) continued  April 2019

Who we are

Who is providing this notice?

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Inc. and its affiliated registered investment advisers, registered broker-dealers, and registered and unregistered funds ("MSIM")

 

What we do

How does MSIM protect my personal information?

 

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings. We have policies governing the proper handling of customer information by personnel and requiring third parties that provide support to adhere to appropriate security standards with respect to such information.

 

How does MSIM collect my personal information?

  We collect your personal information, for example, when you
n open an account or make deposits or withdrawals from your account
n buy securities from us or make a wire transfer
n give us your contact information
We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.
 

Why can't I limit all sharing?

  Federal law gives you the right to limit only
n sharing for affiliates' everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness
n affiliates from using your information to market to you
n sharing for non-affiliates to market to you
State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing. See below for more on your rights under state law.
 


49



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Privacy Notice (unaudited) continued  April 2019

Definitions

Affiliates

  Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n Our affiliates include companies with a Morgan Stanley name and financial companies such as Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co.
 

Non-affiliates

  Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.
n MSIM does not share with non-affiliates so they can market to you.
 

Joint marketing

  A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.
n MSIM doesn't jointly market
 

Other important information

Vermont: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about Vermont residents with Non-affiliates unless you provide us with your written consent to share such information.

California: Except as permitted by law, we will not share personal information we collect about California residents with Non-affiliates and we will limit sharing such personal information with our Affiliates to comply with California privacy laws that apply to us.


50



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:

Name, Address and Birth Year
of Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Frank L. Bowman
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1944
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

  President, Strategic Decisions, LLC (consulting) (since February 2009); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2015); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (2007-2015); served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Energy Institute (policy organization) (February 2005-November 2008); retired as Admiral, U.S. Navy after serving over 38 years on active duty including 8 years as Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program in the Department of the Navy and the U.S. Department of Energy (1996-2004); served as Chief of Naval Personnel (July 1994-September 1996) and on the Joint Staff as Director of Political Military Affairs (June 1992-July 1994); knighted as Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire;
awarded the Officier de l'Orde National du Mérite by the French Government; elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2009).
 

86

 

Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director Emeritus of the Armed Services YMCA; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Trustee of Fairhaven United Methodist Church; Member of the Board of Advisors of the Dolphin Scholarship Foundation; Director of other various non-profit organizations; formerly, Director of BP p.l.c. (November 2010-May 2019)

 
Kathleen A. Dennis
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1953
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

  President, Cedarwood Associates
(mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Liquidity and Alternatives Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Senior Managing Director of Victory Capital Management (1993-2006).
 

86

 

Director of various non-profit organizations.

 


51



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Address and Birth Year
of Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Nancy C. Everett
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1955
 

Trustee

 

Since January 2015

 

Chief Executive Officer, Virginia Commonwealth University Investment Company (since November 2015); Owner, OBIR, LLC (institutional investment management consulting) (since June 2014); formerly, Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. (February 2011-December 2013); and Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Asset Management (a/k/a Promark Global Advisors, Inc.) (June 2005-May 2010).

 

87

 

Formerly, Member of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Business Foundation (2005-2016); Member of Virginia Commonwealth University Board of Visitors (2013-2015); Member of Committee on Directors for Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc. (2007-2010); Chairperson of Performance Equity Management, LLC (2006-2010); and Chairperson, GMAM Absolute Return Strategies Fund, LLC (2006-2010).

 
Jakki L. Haussler
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1957
 

Trustee

 

Since January 2015

 

Chairman, Opus Capital Group (since January 1996); formerly, Chief Executive Officer, Opus Capital Group (1996-2019); Director, Capvest Venture Fund, LP (May 2000-December 2011); Partner, Adena Ventures, LP (July 1999-December 2010); Director, The Victory Funds (February 2005- July 2008).

 

87

 

Director of Service Corporation International and Member, Audit Committee and Investment Committee; Director of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Member, Audit Committee and Governance and Nominating Committee; Director of Northern Kentucky University Foundation and Member, Investment Committee; Member of Chase College of Law Transactional Law Practice Center Board of Advisors; Director of Chase College of Law Board of Visitors; formerly, Member, University of Cincinnati Foundation Investment Committee; Member, Miami University Board of Visitors (2008-2011); Trustee of Victory Funds (2005-2008) and Chairman, Investment Committee (2007-2008); Member, Service Provider Committee (2005-2008) and Director of Best Transport (2006-2019).

 


52



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Address and Birth Year
of Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson
c/o Johnson Smick International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE — Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
Birth Year 1949
 

Trustee

 

Since July 1991

 

Senior Partner, Johnson Smick International, Inc. (consulting firm); Chairperson of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); Co- Chairman and a founder of the Group of Seven Council (G7C) (international economic commission); formerly, Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 1991-September 2006), Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury.

 

86

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 
Joseph J. Kearns
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1942
 

Trustee

 

Since August 1994

 

Senior Adviser, Kearns & Associates LLC (investment consulting); Chairperson of the Audit Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); Director, Rubicorn Investments (since February 2019); formerly, Deputy Chairperson of the Audit Committee (July 2003-September 2006) and Chairperson of the Audit Committee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 1994); CFO of the J. Paul Getty Trust (1982-1999).

 

87

 

Prior to August 10, 2016, Director of Electro Rent Corporation (equipment leasing); Prior to December 31, 2013, Director of The Ford Family Foundation.

 


53



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Address and Birth Year
of Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael F. Klein
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1958
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

 

Managing Director, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Alternatives Management, LP (since August 2013); Chairperson of the Fixed Income Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management and President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000); Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

86

 

Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Alternatives Management, LP; Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty chemicals).

 
Patricia Maleski
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1960
 

Trustee

 

Since January 2017

 

Managing Director, JPMorgan Asset Management (2004-2016); Oversight and Control Head of Fiduciary and Conflicts of Interest Program (2015-2016); Chief Control Officer-Global Asset Management (2013-2015); President, JPMorgan Funds (2010-2013); Chief Administrative Officer (2004-2013); various other positions including Treasurer and Board Liaison (since 2001).

 

87

 

None.

 


54



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Address and Birth Year
of Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
and Other Relevant
Professional Experience
  Number of
Funds
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
W. Allen Reed
c/o Perkins Coie LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1947
 

Chair of the Board and Trustee

 

Chair of the Boards since August 2020 and Trustee since August 2006

 

Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2020); Chairperson of the Governance Committee; Chairperson of the Equity Sub-Committee of the Investment Committee (since October 2006) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since August 2006); formerly, Vice Chair of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (January 2020-August 2020); President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors Asset Management; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the GM Trust Bank and Corporate Vice President of General Motors Corporation (August 1994-December 2005).

 

86

 

Formerly, Director of Legg Mason, Inc. (2006-2019); and Director of the Auburn University Foundation (2010-2015).

 

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

  **  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2020) all open-end and closed-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") and any funds that have an adviser that is an affiliated person of the Adviser (including, but not limited to, Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP).

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


55



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:



Name, Address and Birth Year
of Executive Officer
 
Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
 

Length of
Time Served*
 


Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
 
John H. Gernon
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1963
 

President and Principal Executive Officer

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) and the Liquidity Funds and various money market funds (since May 2014) in the Fund Complex; Managing Director of the Adviser; Head of Public Markets Product Development (since 2006).

 
Timothy J. Knierim
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1959
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since December 2016

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since December 2016) and Chief Compliance Officer of Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP (since 2014). Formerly, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (2014-2016); and formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of Prudential Investment Management, Inc. (2007-2014).

 
Francis J. Smith
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1965
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1967
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Managing Director of the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 
Michael J. Key
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Birth Year 1979
 

Vice President

 

Since June 2017

 

Vice President of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds, Liquidity Funds, various money market funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds in the Fund Complex (since June 2017); Executive Director of the Adviser; Head of Product Development for Equity and Fixed Income Funds (since August 2013).

 

  *  This is the earliest date the officer began serving the Morgan Stanley Funds. Each officer serves a one-year term, until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.


56



Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

Federal Tax Notice (unaudited)

For federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by the Fund during its taxable year ended November 30, 2020. The Fund designated and paid $122,867,574 as a long-term capital gain distribution.

In January, the Fund provides tax information to shareholders for the preceding calendar year.


57



Transfer Agent

DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116

Legal Counsel

Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036

Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Perkins Coie LLP
1155 Avenue of the Americas,
22nd Floor
New York, New York 10036

Adviser and Administrator

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036

This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. For more detailed information about the Fund, its fees and expenses and other pertinent information, please read its Prospectus. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Fund, including its Trustees. It is available, without charge, by calling (800) 548-7786.

This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective Prospectus. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., member FINRA.

© 2021 Morgan Stanley

INSIGHTANN
3368612 EXP 01.31.22



 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)           The registrant 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 registrant or a third party.

 

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

 

(c)           Not applicable.

 

(d)           Not applicable.

 

(e)           Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)           The registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 13 A.

 

(2)           Not applicable.

 

(3)           Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant's Board of Trustees has determined that Joseph J. Kearns, an “independent” Trustee, is an “audit committee financial expert" serving on its audit committee. 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 Trustees 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:

 

2020

 

   Registrant   Covered Entities(1) 
Audit Fees  $47,332    N/A 
           
Non-Audit Fees          
Audit-Related Fees  $(2)  $(2)
Tax Fees  $(3)  $306,320(4)
All Other Fees  $   $30,000(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees  $   $336,320 
           
Total  $47,332   $336,320 

 

2019

 

   Registrant   Covered Entities(1) 
Audit Fees  $47,332    N/A 
           
Non-Audit Fees          
Audit-Related Fees  $(2)  $(2)
Tax Fees  $4,100(3)  $532,939(4)
All Other Fees  $   $(5)
Total Non-Audit Fees  $4,100   $532,939 
           
Total  $51,432   $532,939 

 

 

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 data verification and agreed-upon procedures related to asset securitizations and agreed-upon procedures engagements.

 

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

 

(4)Tax Fees represent tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice services provided in connection with the review of Covered Entities' tax returns.

 

(5)All other fees represent project management for future business applications and improving business and operational processes.

 

 

 

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

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE 

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES 

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES 

OF THE 

MORGAN STANLEY FUNDS

 

AS ADOPTED AND AMENDED JULY 23, 2004 AND JUNE 12 AND 13, 20193

 

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) 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.

 

 

3     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.

 

 

 

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 A. All other Audit services not listed in Appendix A 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-CEN and/or N-CSR.

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit-related services in Appendix A. All other Audit-related services not listed in Appendix A 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 A. All Tax services in Appendix A 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 A. Permissible All Other services not listed in Appendix A 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 Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be rendered. The Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting 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 or Chairperson of the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the Fund's Principal Financial and Accounting Officer, who, after consultation with the Independent Auditors, will discuss whether, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

 

 

The Audit Committee has designated the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting 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 Principal Financial and Accounting Officer will report to the Audit Committee on a periodic basis on the results of its monitoring. Both the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting Officer and management will immediately report to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee any breach of this Policy that comes to the attention of the Fund’s Principal Financial and Accounting 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 the PCAOB’s Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, 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 Funds 

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC 

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 

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc. 

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. 

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP 

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC 

Morgan Stanley Capital Management LLC 

Morgan Stanley Asia Limited 

Morgan Stanley Services Group

 

(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 Trustees 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.

 

APPENDIX A

 

Pre-Approved Audit Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
  The
Fund(s)
Covered
Entities

 

Statutory audits or financial audits for the Funds

 

 

For a complete list of fees, please contact the legal department

**

 

 

N/A

 

Services associated with SEC registration statements (including new fund filings/seed audits), periodic reports and other documents filed with the SEC or other documents issued in connection with securities offerings (e.g., comfort letters for closed-end fund offerings, consents), and assistance in responding to SEC comment letters

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit related” services rather than “audit” services)

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

 

 

Pre-Approved Audit-Related Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
  The
Fund(s)
Covered
Entities
Attest procedures not required by statute or regulation

*

 

*

 

Due diligence services pertaining to potential fund mergers

 

 

*

 

*

 

Consultations by the Fund’s management as to the accounting or disclosure

treatment of transactions or events and/or the actual or potential impact of final or proposed rules, standards or interpretations by the SEC, FASB, or other regulatory or standard-setting bodies (Note: Under SEC rules, some consultations may be “audit” services rather than “audit-related” services)

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

General assistance with implementation of the requirements of SEC rules or listing standards promulgated pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

 

*

 

*

 

Pre-Approved Tax Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
  The
Fund(s)
Covered
Entities

 

U.S. federal, state and local tax planning and advice

 

 

*

 

*

 

U.S. federal, state and local tax compliance

 

*

 

*

 

International tax planning and advice

 

*

 

*

 

International tax compliance

 

 

*

 

*

Review/preparation of federal, state, local and international income, franchise, and other tax returns

 

 

$400,000

PwC

 

N/A

 

Identification of Passive Foreign Investment Companies

 

PwC ITV Tool – assist in determining which Fund holdings have foreign capital gains tax exposure

$150,000

PwC

 

$125,000

PwC

*

 

*

Foreign Tax Services - Preparation of local foreign tax returns and assistance with local tax compliance issues (including maintenance of transaction schedules, assistance in periodic tax remittances, tax registration, representing funds before foreign revenue authorities and assistance with assessment orders)

$500,000

PwC/EY

*

 

Assistance with tax audits and appeals before the IRS and similar state, local and foreign agencies

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

Tax advice and assistance regarding statutory, regulatory or administrative developments (e.g., excise tax reviews, evaluation of Fund’s tax compliance function)

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

 

 

 

Pre-Approved All Other Services

 

Service
Range of Fees
  The
Fund(s)
Covered
Entities

 

Risk management advisory services, e.g., assessment and testing of security infrastructure controls

 

 

*

 

 

*

 

 

*Aggregate fees related to the pre-approved services will be limited to 10% of the 2020/2021 annual fees for audit and tax services (see fee schedule distributed by the Auditors).

 

** Audit and tax services for new funds/portfolios will be subject to the maximum audit and tax fee for a fund/portfolio on fee schedule distributed by the Auditors.

 

Prohibited Non-Audit Services

 

·Bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the audit client

·Financial information systems design and implementation

·Appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports

·Actuarial services

·Internal audit outsourcing services

 

 

 

·Management functions

·Human resources

·Broker-dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services

·Legal services

·Expert services unrelated to the audit

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

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

 

Joseph J. Kearns, Jakki L. Haussler, Michael F. Klein and W. Allen Reed.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

 

(a) Refer to Item 1.

 

(b) Not applicable.

 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

Item 9. Closed-End Fund Repurchases

 

Applicable only to reports filed by closed-end funds.

 

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

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominee to the Fund’s Board of Trustees since the Fund last provided disclosure in response to this item.

 

 

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)  The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are sufficient to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant 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 second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed End Management Investment Companies.

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a) The Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers (insert hyperlink here).

 

(b) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as part of EX-99.CERT (insert hyperlink here).

 

(c) Section 906 Certification ( insert hyperlink here)

 

 

 

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.

 

Morgan Stanley Insight Fund

 

/s/ John H. Gernon  

John H. Gernon

Principal Executive Officer

January 14, 2021

 

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.

 

/s/ John H. Gernon  

John H. Gernon

Principal Executive Officer

January 14, 2021

 

/s/ Francis Smith  

Francis Smith

Principal Financial Officer

January 14, 2021