N-CSR 1 a14-3613_1ncsr.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

811-03692

 

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

(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:

December 31, 2013

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2013

 

 



 

Item 1 - Report to Shareholders

 



MORGAN STANLEY
VARIABLE INVESTMENT SERIES

Annual Report

DECEMBER 31, 2013

The Portfolios are intended to be the funding vehicle for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of certain life insurance companies.



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Table of Contents

Letter to the Shareholders

   

1

   

Expense Examples

   

15

   

Portfolio of Investments:

 

Money Market

   

18

   

Limited Duration

   

22

   

Income Plus

   

31

   

Global Infrastructure

   

42

   

European Equity

   

45

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

48

   

Financial Statements:

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   

52

   

Statements of Operations

   

54

   

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

56

   

Notes to Financial Statements

   

63

   

Financial Highlights

   

96

   

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   

102

   

Results of Special Shareholder Meetings

   

103

   

Trustee and Officer Information

   

104

   

Federal Tax Notice

   

110

   



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

Dear Shareholder:

2013 saw wide divergences in performance — equities significantly outperformed bonds and developed market equities beat those of emerging markets. Stronger economic growth in the U.S., Europe and Japan, coupled with accommodative monetary policies from their central banks, supported investors' preference for developed world equities. At the same time, expectations for a winding down of the Federal Reserve's (Fed) bond buying program (called quantitative easing or QE) in the U.S. caused spikes in Treasury yields, sending bond prices across the spectrum lower, as prices move in the opposite direction of yields. In addition, some emerging market economies looked especially vulnerable to tighter liquidity conditions as well as faced lagging growth, driving investor flows away from emerging market asset classes.

Domestic Equity Overview

U.S. stocks turned in a strong performance in 2013, with both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index reaching new highs during the year. As in 2012, the expectation that the accommodative monetary policy by the Fed would continue for some time helped drive the prices of risky assets including stocks higher in 2013. However, as the U.S. economy looked stronger, the Fed started signaling its intention to reduce the pace of its asset purchase program if economic data warranted. Uncertainty as to the timing and magnitude of this tapering led to volatility across the capital markets. When the Fed unexpectedly left its QE program intact after its September meeting, stocks rallied strongly. The market's advance paused in October, disrupted by a partial government shutdown and political gridlock over whether to raise the debt ceiling, but resumed in the final months of the period on expectations — and later confirmation by the Fed — that QE tapering would begin in 2014.

Fixed Income Overview

Most segments of the bond market ended 2013 in negative territory. Weakness early in the year was amplified in the summer months when the Fed signaled its intention to taper its bond buying program sooner than expected. The yields on long-term U.S. Treasuries spiked in response to the Fed's tapering comments, and prices across the fixed income spectrum fell, as prices drop when yields rise. The high yield corporate sector was a notable exception, with a positive return for the year, buoyed by demand for the sector's potentially higher relative returns.

Money market yields continued to be constrained by the Fed's near-zero interest rate policy. The Fed announced in December that it would begin to reduce the pace of its asset purchases beginning in January 2014. The Fed also highlighted its intention to keep its target federal funds rate at current low levels even beyond when the unemployment rate falls below 6.5%, especially if inflation remains under the Fed's 2% target, which could be 2015 by some estimates.



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

International Equity Overview

Developed markets outperformed emerging markets in 2013. In Japan, economic expansion resumed early in the year and its central bank launched an aggressive QE program in April. These events led to a depreciation in the yen and a strong rally in Japanese stock prices. Europe also exited its recession in the first half of the year, and investors felt more optimistic about the containment of the sovereign debt crisis, although policy makers still have much work ahead of them. European equities benefited from the change in sentiment, ending the year higher.

Emerging markets lagged developed markets during the year, as the asset class suffered considerable outflows amid uncertainties about slowing growth, weakening currencies, falling commodity prices and the implications of the Fed's exit from QE, especially for countries with large current account deficits.

Money Market Portfolio

An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although money market funds seek to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in such funds.

As of December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – Money Market Portfolio had net assets of approximately $73.3 million with an average portfolio maturity of 30 days. For the seven-day period ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio's Class X shares provided an effective annualized yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.49% (non-subsidized) and a current yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.49% (non-subsidized), while its 30-day moving average yield for December was 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.47% (non-subsidized). Yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Portfolio. The non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or expense waiver not been in place during the period shown. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio's Class X shares returned 0.01%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

For the seven-day period ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio's Class Y shares provided an effective annualized yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.74% (non-subsidized) and a current yield of 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.74% (non-subsidized), while its 30-day moving average yield for December was 0.01% (subsidized) and -0.72% (non-subsidized). Yield quotations more closely reflect the current earnings of the Portfolio. The non-subsidized yield reflects what the yield would have been had a fee and/or expense waiver not been in place during the period shown. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 0.01%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.


2



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

We remain quite comfortable in our conservative approach to managing this Portfolio, focusing on securities with high liquidity and short durations. We believe our investment process and focus on credit research and risk management, combined with the high degree of liquidity and short maturity position of the Portfolio, has put us in a favorable position to respond to market uncertainty. Our investment philosophy continues to revolve around prudent credit and risk management and portfolios that are positioned defensively and with very high levels of liquidity.

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

Limited Duration Portfolio

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – Limited Duration Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 0.39%, outperforming the Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Index (1-5 Year) (the "Index"), which returned 0.28%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 0.09%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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 contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Performance assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying portfolio based on net asset value (NAV). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

   

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2013

 
   

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception*

 

Class X

   

0.39

%

   

2.91

%

   

0.86

%

   

1.96

%

 

Class Y

   

0.09

%

   

2.66

%

   

0.60

%

   

1.61

%

 

(1)  Ending value on December 31, 2013 for the underlying portfolio. This figure does not reflect the deduction of any account fees or sales charges.

(2)  The Barclays Capital U.S. Government/Credit Index (1-5 Year) tracks the performance of U.S. government and corporate obligations, including U.S. government agency and Treasury securities, and corporate and Yankee bonds with maturities of one to five years. 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.

*  Inception dates of May 4, 1999 for Class X and June 5, 2000 for Class Y.


3



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

The main driver of performance for the year was the Portfolio's overweight position in the investment-grade credit sector. The financial sector was once again the best-performing corporate sector with yield spreads over Treasuries tightening by about 50 basis points over the year. The Portfolio's overweight was focused on the banking sector, which helped performance. Overweight positions in selected industrial sectors also contributed to performance.

The Portfolio's positioning in the securitized sector was also additive to relative returns. Allocations to agency mortgages and high quality asset-backed securities especially contributed to relative gains, as the tightening on the yield spread and the extra yield on these securities were beneficial.

Conversely, the Portfolio was underweight the agency sector, which detracted from relative performance as yield spreads tightened slightly over the period.

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


4



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

Income Plus Portfolio

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – Income Plus Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 1.03%, outperforming the Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate Index (the "Index"), which returned -1.53%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 0.81%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

The Portfolio entered 2013 overweight investment grade corporate bonds, while also having exposure to high yield corporate bonds and convertible bonds. These positions were designed to attempt to benefit from a normalization of credit spreads, which we believed would be driven by supportive global monetary policy and a continued modest U.S. economic recovery. This thesis largely played out over the course of the year.

Financial sector corporate bonds, the Portfolio's largest overweight, were the best performers in the investment grade corporate market during 2013. Spreads in the sector tightened by 44 basis points in 2013, outpacing industrial bonds, which only tightened by 19 basis points.(a) High yield and convertible bonds also contributed positively to the Portfolio's performance. With equity markets

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 contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Performance assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying portfolio based on net asset value (NAV). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

   

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2013

 
   

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception*

 

Class X

   

1.03

%

   

10.15

%

   

6.04

%

   

7.27

%

 

Class Y

   

0.81

%

   

9.88

%

   

5.79

%

   

6.55

%

 

(1)  Ending value on December 31, 2013 for the underlying portfolio. This figure does not reflect the deduction of any account fees or sales charges.

(2)  The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate Index covers U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade, fixed rate, taxable securities sold by industrial, utility and financial issuers. It includes publicly issued U.S. corporate and foreign debentures and secured notes that meet specified maturity, liquidity and quality requirements. 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.

*  Inception dates of March 1, 1987 for Class X and June 5, 2000 for Class Y.

(a)  Source: Barclays Capital US Corporate Bond Index


5



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

performing well throughout the year, those fixed income sectors with the most equity-like characteristics (such as high yield and convertibles) performed very strongly.

The primary detractor from performance was a basket of single-name credit default swap (CDS) positions that was designed to benefit if spreads widened. The average spread of the CDS positions tightened during the period, generating some modest underperformance for the Portfolio.

Looking ahead, we continue to see value in the corporate bond spreads, especially within the financial sector, where fundamentals are strong and valuations remain attractive. We have positioned the Portfolio to be slightly more defensive within the non-financial sectors as many of those companies have become increasingly shareholder-friendly by sacrificing their balance sheet to increase stock buybacks and dividends. We continue to maintain opportunistic exposures to high yield and convertible bonds — two sectors that we believe are attractively positioned for the current environment.

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

Global Infrastructure Portfolio

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – Global Infrastructure Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 17.91%, outperforming the Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM (the "Index"), which returned 15.89%, and underperforming the

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 contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Performance assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying portfolio based on net asset value (NAV). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

   

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2013

 
   

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception*

 

Class X

   

17.91

%

   

15.68

%

   

10.72

%

   

8.57

%

 

Class Y

   

17.54

%

   

15.39

%

   

10.43

%

   

4.58

%

 

(1)  Ending value on December 31, 2013 for the underlying portfolio. This figure does not reflect the deduction of any account fees or sales charges.

(2)  The Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that measures the stock performance of companies that exhibit strong infrastructure characteristics. The Index intends to measure all sectors of the infrastructure market. The Index was first published in July 2008; however, back-tested hypothetical performance information is available for this Index since December 31, 2002. Returns are calculated using the return data of the S&P Global BMI Index through December 31, 2002 and the return data of the Dow Jones Brookfield Global Infrastructure IndexSM for periods thereafter. 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.

(3)  The Standard & Poor's Global BMI Index (S&P Global BMI Index) is a broad market index designed to capture exposure to equities in all countries in the world that meet minimum size and liquidity requirements. As of the date of this Report, there are approximately 11,000 index members representing 26 developed and 20 emerging market countries. 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.

*  Inception dates of March 1, 1990 for Class X and June 5, 2000 for Class Y.


6



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

S&P Global BMI Index, which returned 24.12%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 17.54%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

Infrastructure shares appreciated 15.89% during the period, as measured by the Index. Among the major infrastructure sectors, the gas midstream, toll roads, gas distribution utilities, and European regulated utilities outperformed the Index, while the pipeline companies, electricity transmission and distribution, and communications sectors underperformed the Index. Among sectors with more modest benchmark weightings, the diversified and airports sectors exhibited meaningful outperformance relative to the benchmark.

For full-year 2013, the Portfolio realized meaningful outperformance from bottom-up stock selection, only partially offset by adverse top-down positioning. From a bottom-up perspective, stock selection was neutral or provided positive attribution in all sectors aside from the toll roads and diversified sectors. From a top-down perspective, the Portfolio benefited from underweights to the electricity transmission and distribution and gas distribution sectors, as well as an overweight to the airports sector, offset by relative weakness from an overweight to pipeline companies and an underweight to gas midstream and European regulated utilities. Cash held in the Portfolio detracted from relative performance.

2013 global equity performance reflected a more positive outlook toward economic growth and the belief that many economies have "turned a corner" — in particular the developed markets of the U.S. and Europe (and to a lesser extent Japan). This was partially offset by concerns over the impact of rising interest rates in the U.S. and their effect on U.S. equity valuations as well as the spillover impact for emerging market economies, currencies, and equity markets. The equity securities of infrastructure companies were not entirely immune to these broad trends in 2013, and were generally visible in the strong performance of more gross domestic product (GDP)-leveraged transportation sectors such as rails, toll roads, and airports and the weakness in more stable sectors that were viewed by the market as "bond proxies" such as electricity transmission and distribution, communications, and pipeline companies. However, on a local currency basis, favorable returns were realized within all broad regions.

Looking at individual sectors, favorable performance for the European regulated utilities sector was the result of improved clarity and a more positive outlook for transmission company regulation in Spain (in particular on the electricity side) as well as the resolution of gas network regulation in Italy, which underscored the stability of regulation in the country despite ongoing uncertainty in Italian politics and the


7



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

potential for political interference. Ongoing merger and acquisition (M&A) interest in U.K. utility assets, in particular in the water space, also provided an uplift for the sector.

Underperformance for the electricity transmission and distribution sector was broadly attributable to concerns over valuation in the context of rising U.S. interest rates. Challenges to company returns on capital by customers and other stakeholders, as well as by adverse regulatory rulings, also had a modest negative impact on the sector.

Within the gas distribution utilities sector, the potential for midstream asset (MLP) spin-offs as well as M&A speculation favorably impacted U.S.-based gas distribution utilities in 2013. Within Chinese gas distribution, ongoing support by the central government for natural gas (as a way to de-carbonize the environment), coupled with resilient company operating results despite a slowing Chinese economy, drove favorable results.

Underperformance in pipeline companies broadly reflected a negative view on valuation in a rising interest rate environment, despite robust operating fundamentals, with company capital programs at record highs. Negative performance by a Canadian company weighed heavily on sector results, due to the general view that the northern leg of the Keystone XL pipeline will not be approved by the Obama administration.

The gas midstream sector's outperformance reflected ongoing rapid cash flow growth supported by sizable capital programs, as well as a number of spinoff and restructuring transactions, which highlighted the value of general partner economics embedded within many c-corp energy infrastructure companies.

In the communications sector, weakness in wireless tower companies reflected concerns over valuation in a rising interest rate environment, as well as concerns regarding a slowdown in lease up activity by the big four wireless carriers in the U.S.

Outperformance of the toll roads, airports, and ports sector in 2013 was largely the result of an improved outlook for traffic/container volumes associated with an improving global economy. However, it is important to note that for many of the transportation companies, in particular those in Europe, strong share price performance was associated with multiple expansion (i.e., the expectation of a recovery), as operating fundamentals and underlying cash flows still reflect little growth. For airports, despite lackluster traffic growth in general, strong retail performance and a moderation in the capital expenditures (capex) cycle helped returns.

Modest underperformance in the water sector was realized in 2013 as relatively robust performance in the U.S. was offset by negative absolute performance in Brazil, where the regulatory outlook remains uncertain over the near term and share prices suffered alongside the broader Brazilian equity market.


8



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

Given recent strong performance and a narrowing gap between our view of intrinsic, private market infrastructure value and share prices in a number of infrastructure sectors, we begin 2014 with lower expected returns for the sector. However, we believe an allocation to global listed infrastructure securities can continue to provide investors with favorable risk-adjusted absolute returns and little overlap to the broader equity markets. Furthermore, we continue to be able to invest in companies that trade at meaningful discounts to intrinsic value. Imbedded into our current view on valuation is a belief that capex programs in certain sectors, most notably energy infrastructure and the wireless tower portion of the communications sector, will begin to moderate in the medium term (from record-high, industry-wide capital spending in the tens of billions of U.S. dollars). We would also reiterate that we view rising interest rates and the impact of the Federal Reserve "taper" — commonly cited as the most significant headwind for the sector — as more of a near-term, manageable risk, given that many infrastructure companies have various methods to adjust cash flows to accommodate higher debt costs, and we do not believe share prices reflected the low in cost of capital during the past period of low interest rates.

In terms of opportunities for 2014, we would note three themes in particular: First, valuations in the fixed satellite services (FSS) portion of the communications sector look increasingly attractive (in spite of some near to medium-term operating headwinds), as do a number of companies in the energy infrastructure and utilities sectors, even though sector-wide valuations appear less compelling. Second, more opportunities may develop in the transportation-leveraged sectors, in particular in Europe, as the global economy recovers. While we maintain a more cautious view on continental Europe and a global recovery overall — and have reflected this view in our company-specific underwriting — we acknowledge that there is scope for upside as recent data points seem to indicate an upturn in economic activity in a number of regions. The third theme we're considering is that we view a number of emerging markets infrastructure companies as increasingly attractive from a valuation standpoint, as country-level macro concerns are overwhelming stable company-level operating fundamentals in a number of cases. As a reminder, the Portfolio historically has and will continue to focus on developed market infrastructure companies which manage brownfield infrastructure assets, but we may look to invest a small portion of the Portfolio in greenfield infrastructure assets in emerging markets should the return prospects be appropriate relative to the level of risk.

We remain committed to our core investment philosophy as an infrastructure value investor. As value-oriented, bottom-up driven investors, our investment perspective is that over the medium- and long-term, the key factor in determining the performance of infrastructure securities will be underlying infrastructure asset values. Given the large and growing private infrastructure market, we believe that there are limits as to the level of premium or discount at which the public sector should trade relative to its underlying private infrastructure value. These limits can be viewed as the point at which the arbitrage opportunity between


9



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

owning infrastructure in the private versus public markets becomes compelling. In aiming to achieve core infrastructure exposure in a cost-effective manner, we invest in equity securities of publicly listed infrastructure companies we believe offer the best value relative to their underlying infrastructure value and Net Asset Value growth prospects.

Our research currently leads us to an overweighting in the Portfolio (amongst the largest sectors) to a group of companies in the pipeline, communications, and toll road sectors, and an underweighting to companies in the gas distribution utilities, gas midstream, European regulated utilities, and electricity transmission and distribution sectors. Amongst the smaller sectors, we maintain an overweight to airports and have initiated an overweight to the water sector.

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

European Equity Portfolio

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – European Equity Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 27.50%, outperforming the MSCI Europe Index (the "Index"), which returned 25.23%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 27.20%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained.

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 contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Performance assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying portfolio based on net asset value (NAV). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

   

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2013

 
   

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception*

 

Class X

   

27.50

%

   

13.33

%

   

7.05

%

   

9.33

%

 

Class Y

   

27.20

%

   

13.05

%

   

6.78

%

   

2.93

%

 

(1)  Ending value on December 31, 2013 for the underlying portfolio. This figure does not reflect the deduction of any account fees or sales charges.

(2)  The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Europe Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure developed market equity performance in Europe. The term "free float" represents the portion of shares outstanding that are deemed to be available for purchase in the public equity markets by investors. The performance of the Index is listed in U.S. dollars and assumes reinvestment of net dividends. 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.

*  Inception dates of March 1, 1991 for Class X and June 5, 2000 for Class Y.


10



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

On a country level, the main contributors to relative performance were stock selection in France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as an underweight allocation to Norway. Positive relative results were partially offset by stock selection in Belgium, which detracted from performance.

Looking at industries, our stock selection in pharmaceuticals, software and services, banks, capital goods and health care equipment added to relative gains. The Portfolio also outperformed in the insurance industry, due to an overweight allocation and stock selection, and in the food, beverage and tobacco group, where an underweight allocation and stock selection were beneficial. Additionally, the Portfolio held underweight positions in utilities and overweight positions in automobiles and components, which were favorable to relative performance. In contrast, detractors from performance included an overweight allocation and stock selection in energy along with an underweight allocation to diversified financials.

In our view, equities look attractive relative to other asset classes with respect to the prospective returns and yields they offer, particularly as inflation expectations are likely to rise. Stocks are still an under-owned asset class within institutional and private portfolios and we believe this could support asset rotation into equities over the medium term.

Over the long-term, we expect that the European economy should be a major beneficiary of a global recovery and recent macroeconomic European data are encouraging. The periphery is undergoing a severe adjustment in activity level. Additionally, the European Central Bank is still in an expansionary mode and ready to support the economy further if necessary. European governments are finally easing the austerity measures put in place in the past years, providing a boost to the domestic economies.

We believe that emerging markets exposure, asset allocation shift out of fixed income into developed equities and cheap valuations make a compelling case for European equities. Our investment approach remains the same. We continue to seek high-quality companies with high earnings visibility and predictability, stable and strong cash flow, and low levels of debt trading at attractive valuations.

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


11



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

Multi Cap Growth Portfolio

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2013, Variable Investment Series – Multi Cap Growth Portfolio Class X shares produced a total return of 50.76%, outperforming the Russell 3000® Growth Index (the "Index"), which returned 34.23%. For the same period, the Portfolio's Class Y shares returned 50.37%. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Please keep in mind that high double-digit returns are highly unusual and cannot be sustained.

The performance of the Portfolio's two share classes varies because each has different expenses. The Portfolio's total returns assume the reinvestment of all distributions but do not reflect the deduction of any charges by your insurance company. Such costs would lower performance.

Stock selection in the technology and consumer discretionary sectors accounted for most of the Portfolio's outperformance relative to the Index. Seven of the top 10 contributors to the overall portfolio's performance were from these two sectors. An underweight position and stock selection in consumer staples also added to relative performance.

Relative detractors from performance included stock selection in the producer durables sector. Most of the Portfolio's producer durables holdings were additive to performance but a lack of exposure to strong-performing groups such as aerospace and diversified manufacturing operations was disadvantageous. The health care sector posted a modest relative loss as well, largely due to stock selection.

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 contact the issuing insurance company or speak with your Financial Advisor. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate. When you sell Portfolio shares, they may be worth less than their original cost. Total returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Portfolio distributions or the redemption of Portfolio shares. Performance for Class Y shares will vary from the performance of Class X shares due to differences in expenses. Performance assumes reinvestment of all distributions for the underlying portfolio based on net asset value (NAV). It does not reflect the deduction of insurance expenses, an annual contract maintenance fee, or surrender charges. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

   

Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2013

 
   

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Since Inception*

 

Class X

   

50.76

%

   

28.16

%

   

11.47

%

   

11.92

%

 

Class Y

   

50.37

%

   

27.84

%

   

11.19

%

   

5.03

%

 

(1)  Ending value on December 31, 2013 for the underlying portfolio. This figure does not reflect the deduction of any account fees or sales charges.

(2)  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.

*  Inception dates of March 9, 1984 for Class X and June 5, 2000 for Class Y.


12



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

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

We appreciate your ongoing support of Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series and look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs.

Very truly yours,

John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer


13



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Letter to the Shareholders n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

For More Information About Portfolio Holdings

Each Morgan Stanley fund provides a complete schedule of portfolio holdings in its semiannual and annual reports within 60 days of the end of the fund's second and fourth fiscal quarters. The semiannual 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 semiannual and annual reports to fund shareholders and makes these reports available on its public web site, www.morganstanley.com. Each Morgan Stanley fund also files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the fund's first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q and monthly holdings for each money market fund on Form N-MFP. Morgan Stanley does not deliver these reports to shareholders, nor are the first and third fiscal quarter reports posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. However, the holdings for each money market fund are posted to the Morgan Stanley public web site. You may obtain the Form N-Q filings (as well as the Form N-CSR, N-CSRS and N-MFP filings) by accessing the SEC's web site, http://www.sec.gov. You may also review and copy them at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. 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) or by writing the public reference section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-1520.

Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures and Proxy Voting Record

You may obtain a copy of the Portfolio'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. It is also available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

You may obtain information regarding how the Portfolios 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. This information is also available on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.


14




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

As a shareholder of the Portfolio, you incur two types of costs: (1) insurance company charges; and (2) ongoing costs, including advisory fees, administration fees, distribution and services (12b-1) fees, and other Portfolio expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Portfolio and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period 07/01/13 – 12/31/13.

Actual Expenses

The first line of the table below 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 below provides information about hypothetical expenses based on the Portfolio's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Portfolio'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 Portfolio 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 insurance company charges. 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 insurance company charges were included, your costs would have been higher.


15



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

Money Market

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (0.01% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,000.05

   

$

0.82

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,024.66

   

$

0.83

   

Class Y

 
Actual (0.01% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,000.05

   

$

0.82

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,024.66

   

$

0.83

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.16% and 0.16% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 186@@/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 0.65% and 0.90% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively.

  @@  Adjusted to reflect non-business day accruals.

Limited Duration

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (0.94% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,009.40

   

$

4.10

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.12

   

$

4.13

   

Class Y

 
Actual (0.80% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,008.00

   

$

5.36

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.86

   

$

5.40

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.81% and 1.06% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

Income Plus

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (3.70% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,037.00

   

$

3.23

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,022.03

   

$

3.21

   

Class Y

 
Actual (3.62% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,036.20

   

$

4.52

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.77

   

$

4.48

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.63% and 0.88% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).


16



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Expense Examples n December 31, 2013 (unaudited) continued

Global Infrastructure

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (12.09% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,120.90

   

$

5.03

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.47

   

$

4.79

   

Class Y

 
Actual (12.02% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,120.20

   

$

6.36

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,019.21

   

$

6.06

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.94% and 1.19% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

European Equity

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (22.55% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,225.50

   

$

5.61

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,020.16

   

$

5.09

   

Class Y

 
Actual (22.43% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,224.30

   

$

7.01

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,018.90

   

$

6.36

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 1.00% and 1.25% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses, the annualized expense ratios would have been 1.24% and 1.49% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively.

Multi Cap Growth

    Beginning
Account Value
  Ending
Account Value
  Expenses Paid
During Period@
 
   

07/01/13

 

12/31/13

  07/01/13 –
12/31/13
 

Class X

 
Actual (34.11% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,341.10

   

$

3.30

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,022.38

   

$

2.85

   

Class Y

 
Actual (33.93% return)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,339.30

   

$

4.78

   
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)  

$

1,000.00

   

$

1,021.12

   

$

4.13

   

  @  Expenses are equal to the Portfolio's annualized expense ratios of 0.56% and 0.81% for Class X and Class Y shares, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).


17




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Repurchase Agreements (42.7%)

 

$

5,000

    ABN Amro Securities LLC, (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $5,000,011; fully collateralized by
various U.S. Government Agencies,
3.50% - 5.50% due 12/01/33 - 08/01/42;
valued at $5,150,000)
   

0.04

%

 

01/02/14

 

$

5,000,000

   
 

10,470

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $10,470,012; fully collateralized by a
U.S. Government Agency, 4.00% due 11/20/43;
valued at $10,734,334)
   

0.02

   

01/02/14

   

10,470,000

   
 

1,000

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $1,000,010; fully collateralized by
various Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks;
valued at $1,050,014)
   

0.18

   

01/02/14

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (dated 11/27/13;
proceeds $1,000,681; fully collateralized by
various Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks;
valued at $1,050,728)
   

0.35

   

02/05/14

   

1,000,000

   
 

500

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp., (dated 12/09/13;
proceeds $500,287; fully collateralized by
various Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks;
valued at $525,312)
   

0.35

   

02/06/14

   

500,000

   
 

500

    Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, (dated
12/10/13; proceeds $500,100; fully
collateralized by a U.S. Government Agency,
6.21% due 06/05/36; valued at $510,746)
(Demand 01/07/14)
   

0.08

(a)

 

03/10/14

   

500,000

   
 

10,000

    Mizuho Securities USA, Inc., (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $10,000,011; fully collateralized by a
U.S. Government Obligation, Zero Coupon
due 01/23/14; valued at $10,200,000)
   

0.02

   

01/02/14

   

10,000,000

   
 

500

    Mizuho Securities USA, Inc., (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $500,007; fully collateralized by
various Common Stocks; valued at $525,013)
   

0.24

   

01/02/14

   

500,000

   
 

300

    RBS Securities, Inc., (dated 12/31/13; proceeds
$300,006; fully collateralized by a U.S.
Government Obligation, 0.13% due 04/15/18;
valued at $309,277)
   

0.33

   

01/02/14

   

300,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
18



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

1,000

    TD Securities USA LLC, (dated 12/31/13;
proceeds $1,000,003; fully collateralized by a
Corporate Bond, 6.15% due 11/01/43 valued
at $1,053,704)
   

0.06   

%

 

01/02/14

 

$

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

    Wells Fargo Securities LLC, (dated 10/25/13;
proceeds $1,001,044 fully collateralized by
various Corporate Bonds, 5.55% - 7.38% due
09/01/16 - 10/01/41 valued at $1,059,961)
   

0.40

   

01/27/14

   

1,000,000

   
    Total Repurchase Agreements
(Cost $31,270,000)
   

31,270,000

   
   

Commercial Paper (21.7%)

 
   

Automobiles (1.2%)

 
 

900

   

Toyota Motor Credit Corp.

   

0.23 - 0.27

   

01/02/14 - 01/15/14

   

899,965

   
   

International Banks (20.5%)

 
 

1,500

   

Bank of Nova Scotia

   

0.21 - 0.23

   

04/17/14 - 05/19/14

   

1,498,828

   
 

2,500

   

Caisse Des Depots Et

   

0.22 - 0.24

   

01/10/14 - 06/26/14

   

2,498,970

   
 

250

   

DBS Bank Ltd. (b)

   

0.22

   

05/05/14

   

249,811

   
 

1,550

   

Erste Abwicklungsanstalt

   

0.17 - 0.20

   

01/21/14 - 04/01/14

   

1,549,584

   
 

900

   

Mizuho Funding LLC (b)

   

0.23

   

01/15/14

   

899,921

   
 

1,550

   

Oversea Chinese Banking Corporation

   

0.18 - 0.21

   

01/03/14 - 01/06/14

   

1,549,972

   
 

1,000

   

Societe Generale North America, Inc.

   

0.24

   

01/31/14

   

999,800

   
 

1,500

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

   

0.22

   

03/10/14

   

1,499,391

   
 

900

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd (b)

   

0.10

   

01/03/14

   

899,995

   
 

3,350

   

United Overseas Bank Ltd. (b)

   

0.20 - 0.27

   

01/06/14 - 03/24/14

   

3,349,144

   
     

14,995,416

   
    Total Commercial Paper
(Cost $15,895,381)
   

15,895,381

   
   

Certificates of Deposit (10.2%)

 
   

International Banks

 
 

750

   

BNP Paribas

   

0.32

   

05/01/14

   

750,000

   
 

1,000

   

Credit Suisse NY

   

0.23

   

04/01/14

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

   

Mizuho Bank Ltd.

   

0.22

   

01/03/14

   

1,000,000

   
 

500

   

Oversea Chinese Banking Corporation

   

0.23

   

05/08/14

   

500,000

   
 

1,750

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

   

0.10 - 0.26

   

01/03/14 - 05/09/14

   

1,750,000

   
 

1,250

   

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd.

   

0.12

   

01/03/14

   

1,250,000

   
 

1,250

   

Toronto Dominion Bank

   

0.07 - 0.18

   

01/03/14 - 03/17/14

   

1,250,000

   
    Total Certificates of Deposit
(Cost $7,500,000)
   

7,500,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
19



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 (continued)

PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE(a)
  DEMAND
DATE(c)
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Extendible Floating Rate Notes (9.9%)

 
   

Domestic Banks (5.4%)

 

$

2,000

    JPMorgan Chase Bank NA
(Extendible Maturity Date
01/07/15)
   

0.32   

%

 

03/07/14

 

03/07/19

 

$

2,000,000

   
 

2,000

    Wells Fargo Bank NA
(Extendible Maturity Date
01/15/15 - 01/20/15)
   

0.29 - 0.31

   

01/21/14 - 03/17/14

 

03/20/19 - 07/15/19

   

2,000,000

   
     

4,000,000

   
   

International Banks (4.5%)

 
 

1,000

    Bank of Nova Scotia
(Extendible Maturity Date
01/30/15)
   

0.30

   

01/30/14

 

01/31/19

   

1,000,000

   
 

1,000

    Royal Bank of Canada
(Extendible Maturity Date
12/31/14)
   

0.30

   

01/02/14

 

04/01/19

   

999,945

   
 

1,300

    Svenska Handelsbanken AB (b)
(Extendible Maturity Date
06/15/14)
   

0.28

   

01/15/14

 

05/13/16

   

1,300,000

   
     

3,299,945

   
    Total Extendible Floating Rate Notes
(Cost $7,299,945)
               

7,299,945

   
   

Floating Rate Notes (8.9%)

 
   

International Banks

 
 

500

   

ASB Finance Ltd. (b)

   

0.27

   

01/03/14

 

01/03/14

   

500,000

   
 

500

   

DBS Bank Ltd. (b)

   

0.26

   

03/31/14

 

09/30/14

   

499,967

   
 

750

   

HSBC Bank PLC

   

0.24

   

01/10/14

 

04/10/14

   

750,000

   
 

3,250

   

Rabobank Nederland NY

   

0.26 - 0.32

   

02/28/14 - 03/24/14

 

03/24/14 - 12/23/14

   

3,250,000

   
 

1,500

   

Westpac Banking Corp.

   

0.29

   

03/17/14

 

12/15/14

   

1,500,000

   
    Total Floating Rate Notes
(Cost $6,499,967)
               

6,499,967

   
   

Tax-Exempt Instruments (4.1%)

 
   

Weekly Variable Rate Bond

 
 

3,000

    Miami-Dade County, FL,
Professional Sports Franchise
Facilities Tax Ser 2009 E
(Cost $3,000,000)
   

0.06

   

01/01/14

 

10/01/48

   

3,000,000

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
20



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Money Market

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 (continued)

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 


  ANNUALIZED
YIELD
ON DATE OF
PURCHASE
 

MATURITY
DATE
 


VALUE
 
   

U.S. Agency Security (2.7%)

 

$

2,000

    Federal Home Loan Bank
(Cost $1,999,611)
   

0.10

%

 

03/12/14

 

$

1,999,611

   
    Total Investments
(Cost $73,464,904)
       

100.2

%

   

73,464,904

   
   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets

       

(0.2

)

   

(162,774

)

 
   

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

73,302,130

   

  (a)  Rate shown is the rate in effect at December 31, 2013.

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

  (c)  Date of next interest rate reset.

MATURITY SCHEDULE† (unaudited)

30 Days    

68.2

%

 
31 60 Days    

7.1

   
61 90 Days    

15.6

   
91 120 Days    

3.9

   
121 + Days    

5.2

   
     

100.0

%

 

†  As a percentage of total investments.

See Notes to Financial Statements
21



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

 
COUPON
RATE
 
MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE
 
   

Corporate Bonds (63.1%)

 
   

Basic Materials (2.3%)

 

$

190

   

ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)

   

9.50

%

 

02/15/15

 

$

207,100

   
 

85

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

1.00

   

08/09/15

   

85,298

   
 

115

   

Ecolab, Inc.

   

3.00

   

12/08/16

   

120,571

   
 

175

   

Goldcorp, Inc. (Canada)

   

2.125

   

03/15/18

   

171,688

   
 

260

   

Kinross Gold Corp. (Canada)

   

3.625

   

09/01/16

   

263,124

   
 

125

   

Rio Tinto Finance USA PLC (United Kingdom)

   

1.375

   

06/17/16

   

127,023

   
         

974,804

   
   

Communications (7.6%)

 
 

145

   

21st Century Fox America, Inc.

   

5.30

   

12/15/14

   

151,447

   
 

250

   

Amazon.com, Inc.

   

1.20

   

11/29/17

   

245,006

   
 

300

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

2.375

   

11/27/18

   

300,603

   
 

375

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

2.50

   

08/15/15

   

385,164

   
 

225

   

Baidu, Inc. (China)

   

3.25

   

08/06/18

   

227,992

   
 

300

   

Comcast Corp.

   

6.50

   

01/15/15

   

318,177

   
 

220

   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.

   

4.75

   

10/01/14

   

226,587

   
 

125

   

Thomson Reuters Corp. (Canada)

   

1.30

   

02/23/17

   

124,544

   
 

175

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

6.75

   

07/01/18

   

196,444

   
 

225

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

1.10

   

11/01/17

   

219,108

   
 

300

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

3.65

   

09/14/18

   

317,912

   
 

225

   

Viacom, Inc.

   

2.50

   

09/01/18

   

227,062

   
 

275

   

Vodafone Group PLC (United Kingdom)

   

1.25

   

09/26/17

   

268,968

   
         

3,209,014

   
   

Consumer, Cyclical (3.7%)

 
 

210

   

CVS Caremark Corp.

   

2.25

   

12/05/18

   

210,182

   
 

250

   

Daimler Finance North America LLC (Germany) (a)

   

2.375

   

08/01/18

   

249,716

   
 

230

   

Glencore Funding LLC (a)

   

1.70

   

05/27/16

   

230,329

   
 

220

   

Home Depot, Inc.

   

5.40

   

03/01/16

   

241,440

   
 

240

   

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. (a)

   

2.65

   

09/26/18

   

240,407

   
 

250

    Volkswagen International Finance N.V.
(Germany) (a)
   

1.125

   

11/18/16

   

249,545

   
 

135

   

Wesfarmers Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

2.983

   

05/18/16

   

140,491

   
         

1,562,110

   
   

Consumer, Non-Cyclical (9.7%)

 
 

265

   

AbbVie, Inc.

   

1.75

   

11/06/17

   

264,791

   
 

250

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

4.125

   

09/11/15

   

263,920

   
 

150

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

2.50

   

11/15/16

   

155,351

   
 

165

   

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc. (Belgium)

   

4.125

   

01/15/15

   

171,246

   
 

265

   

Bacardi Ltd. (Bermuda) (a)

   

7.45

   

04/01/14

   

269,440

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
22



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

200

    BAT International Finance PLC
(United Kingdom) (a)
   

1.40

%

 

06/05/15

 

$

201,753

   
 

265

   

Baxter International, Inc.

   

1.85

   

06/15/18

   

261,963

   
 

100

   

Covidien International Finance SA

   

1.35

   

05/29/15

   

100,769

   
 

275

   

Diageo Capital PLC (United Kingdom)

   

1.50

   

05/11/17

   

274,630

   
 

210

   

Experian Finance PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

2.375

   

06/15/17

   

206,996

   
 

120

   

General Mills, Inc.

   

0.875

   

01/29/16

   

119,719

   
 

350

   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

   

3.05

   

12/01/16

   

369,814

   
 

75

   

Kellogg Co.

   

1.125

   

05/15/15

   

75,536

   
 

250

   

Kraft Foods Group, Inc.

   

2.25

   

06/05/17

   

253,351

   
 

150

   

Kroger Co. (The)

   

2.30

   

01/15/19

   

149,424

   
 

370

   

McKesson Corp.

   

3.25

   

03/01/16

   

385,810

   
 

175

   

PepsiCo, Inc.

   

0.75

   

03/05/15

   

175,492

   
 

85

   

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

   

1.40

   

10/15/17

   

84,004

   
 

100

   

Ventas Realty LP

   

1.55

   

09/26/16

   

100,777

   
 

240

   

WellPoint, Inc.

   

1.875

   

01/15/18

   

237,544

   
         

4,122,330

   
   

Diversified (0.5%)

 
 

200

   

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (France) (a)

   

1.625

   

06/29/17

   

199,419

   
   

Energy (2.4%)

 
 

115

   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

   

1.25

   

08/13/15

   

115,810

   
 

225

   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC, Series O

   

9.75

   

01/31/14

   

226,578

   
 

380

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

3.50

   

03/01/16

   

397,011

   
 

275

   

Phillips 66

   

1.95

   

03/05/15

   

278,912

   
         

1,018,311

   
   

Finance (28.9%)

 
 

265

   

ABB Treasury Center USA, Inc. (Switzerland) (a)

   

2.50

   

06/15/16

   

272,699

   
 

120

    Abbey National Treasury Services PLC
(United Kingdom)
   

3.05

   

08/23/18

   

123,437

   
 

230

   

ABN Amro Bank N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

2.50

   

10/30/18

   

229,618

   
 

110

   

Aflac, Inc.

   

3.45

   

08/15/15

   

114,911

   
 

175

   

American Express Credit Corp.

   

1.30

   

07/29/16

   

176,465

   
 

205

   

American Honda Finance Corp. (Japan) (a)

   

1.60

   

02/16/18

   

202,083

   
 

200

    Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
(Australia)
   

1.45

   

05/15/18

   

193,759

   
 

325

   

Banco Bradesco SA (Brazil)

   

4.50

   

01/12/17

   

344,500

   
 

400

   

Bank of America Corp.

   

2.60

   

01/15/19

   

402,237

   
 

195

   

Bank of Montreal, MTN (Canada)

   

1.40

   

09/11/17

   

192,150

   
 

200

   

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp.

   

2.90

   

10/15/20

   

198,641

   
 

210

   

BNP Paribas SA, MTN (France)

   

2.70

   

08/20/18

   

214,170

   
 

250

   

Branch Banking & Trust Co.

   

1.45

   

10/03/16

   

252,509

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
23



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

110

   

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (Canada)

   

1.55

%

 

01/23/18

 

$

107,697

   
 

300

   

Capital One Financial Corp.

   

7.375

   

05/23/14

   

307,756

   
 

405

   

Citigroup, Inc. (See Note 6)

   

4.45

   

01/10/17

   

439,250

   
 

250

   

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)

   

1.95

   

03/16/15

   

254,254

   
 

250

   

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Australia)

   

2.50

   

09/20/18

   

252,740

   
 

115

    Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank
BA (Netherlands)
   

3.375

   

01/19/17

   

121,170

   
 

250

   

Credit Agricole SA (France) (a)

   

2.125

   

04/17/18

   

248,626

   
 

250

   

Discover Bank

   

2.00

   

02/21/18

   

245,783

   
 

205

   

DNB Bank ASA (Norway) (a)

   

3.20

   

04/03/17

   

214,483

   
 

635

   

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

1.625

   

04/02/18

   

628,898

   
 

325

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

2.375

   

01/22/18

   

326,549

   
 

350

   

HSBC Finance Corp.

   

5.25

   

04/15/15

   

368,735

   
 

255

   

Hyundai Capital America (a)

   

2.125

   

10/02/17

   

253,483

   
 

200

   

ING Bank N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

3.75

   

03/07/17

   

210,802

   
 

125

   

ING US, Inc.

   

2.90

   

02/15/18

   

127,972

   
 

200

   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (Italy)

   

3.875

   

01/16/18

   

204,987

   
 

170

   

John Deere Capital Corp.

   

1.95

   

12/13/18

   

169,115

   
 

135

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

3.15

   

07/05/16

   

141,617

   
 

425

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co., MTN

   

1.875

   

03/20/15

   

430,875

   
 

200

   

Lloyds Bank PLC (United Kingdom)

   

2.30

   

11/27/18

   

199,711

   
 

275

   

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I (See Note 6) (a)

   

1.50

   

01/10/18

   

267,725

   
 

230

   

Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. (Japan) (a)

   

1.85

   

03/21/18

   

224,400

   
 

255

   

National Australia Bank Ltd. (Australia)

   

2.30

   

07/25/18

   

256,948

   
 

270

   

Nationwide Building Society (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4.65

   

02/25/15

   

281,344

   
 

240

   

Nordea Bank AB (Sweden) (a)

   

0.875

   

05/13/16

   

238,945

   
 

150

   

PACCAR Financial Corp., MTN

   

1.15

   

08/16/16

   

150,504

   
 

250

    PNC Bank NA    

0.80

   

01/28/16

   

249,542

   
 

250

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

1.85

   

11/15/17

   

247,969

   
 

320

   

Prudential Financial, Inc., MTN

   

4.75

   

09/17/15

   

341,147

   
 

200

   

QBE Insurance Group Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

2.40

   

05/01/18

   

192,335

   
 

170

    Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC
(United Kingdom)
   

2.55

   

09/18/15

   

173,941

   
 

40

   

Santander Holdings USA, Inc.

   

3.45

   

08/27/18

   

41,070

   
 

200

   

Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (Sweden) (a)

   

1.75

   

03/19/18

   

196,123

   
 

300

   

Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

3.85

   

04/27/15

   

312,086

   
 

200

   

Swedbank AB (Sweden) (a)

   

1.75

   

03/12/18

   

196,702

   
 

225

   

Toronto-Dominion Bank (The), MTN (Canada)

   

2.625

   

09/10/18

   

229,725

   
 

120

   

Wells Fargo & Co.

   

2.15

   

01/15/19

   

119,766

   
 

350

   

Westpac Banking Corp. (Australia) (a)

   

1.375

   

05/30/18

   

339,651

   
         

12,231,605

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
24



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Industrials (2.5%)

     

$

215

   

Eaton Corp.

   

1.50   

%

 

11/02/17

 

$

210,967

   
 

200

   

Heathrow Funding Ltd. (United Kingdom) (a)

   

2.50

   

06/25/15

   

202,715

   
 

115

    Ingersoll-Rand Global Holding Co., Ltd.
(Bermuda) (a)
   

2.875

   

01/15/19

   

113,479

   
 

50

   

Precision Castparts Corp.

   

0.70

   

12/20/15

   

50,030

   
 

210

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

2.40

   

02/01/19

   

208,292

   
 

250

   

Waste Management, Inc.

   

2.60

   

09/01/16

   

258,209

   
         

1,043,692

   
   

Technology (2.5%)

     
 

100

   

Altera Corp.

   

2.50

   

11/15/18

   

99,267

   
 

160

   

Applied Materials, Inc.

   

2.65

   

06/15/16

   

166,217

   
 

275

   

EMC Corp.

   

1.875

   

06/01/18

   

272,162

   
 

110

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

   

3.30

   

12/09/16

   

115,209

   
 

130

   

Oracle Corp.

   

2.375

   

01/15/19

   

131,319

   
 

300

   

TSMC Global Ltd. (Taiwan) (a)

   

1.625

   

04/03/18

   

288,041

   
         

1,072,215

   
   

Utilities (3.0%)

     
 

350

   

Enel Finance International N.V. (Italy) (a)

   

3.875

   

10/07/14

   

357,657

   
 

225

   

GDF Suez (France) (a)

   

1.625

   

10/10/17

   

222,928

   
 

175

   

Northeast Utilities

   

1.45

   

05/01/18

   

169,671

   
 

200

   

Origin Energy Finance Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

3.50

   

10/09/18

   

201,207

   
 

200

   

PSEG Power LLC

   

5.50

   

12/01/15

   

216,759

   
 

110

   

Southern Co. (The)

   

2.45

   

09/01/18

   

111,792

   
         

1,280,014

   
        Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $26,856,093)
           

26,713,514

   
   

Asset-Backed Securities (13.5%)

     
 

200

   

Ally Auto Receivables Trust

   

0.57

   

08/20/15

   

200,104

   
 

200

   

Ally Master Owner Trust

   

2.15

   

01/15/16

   

200,120

   
 

800

   

American Express Credit Account Master Trust

   

1.417

(b)

 

03/15/17

   

806,054

   
   

CarMax Auto Owner Trust

     
 

180

             

0.52

   

07/17/17

   

179,932

   
 

150

             

0.97

   

04/16/18

   

150,662

   
 

26

             

1.29

   

09/15/15

   

25,724

   
   

Chase Issuance Trust

     
 

425

             

0.54

   

10/16/17

   

424,583

   
 

573

             

0.59

   

08/15/17

   

572,753

   
 

169

   

Fifth Third Auto Trust

   

0.88

   

10/16/17

   

169,548

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
25



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

210

   

Ford Credit Auto Lease Trust

   

0.60   

%

 

03/15/16

 

$

210,043

   
 

375

   

Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust (a)

   

4.20

   

02/15/17

   

390,176

   
       

GE Dealer Floorplan Master Note Trust

                     
 

275

             

0.657

(b)

 

06/20/17

   

275,829

   
 

330

             

0.767

(b)

 

07/20/16

   

330,486

   
 

200

   

Hertz Fleet Lease Funding LP (a)

   

0.716

(b)

 

12/10/27

   

200,036

   
 

145

   

Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust

   

1.01

   

02/15/18

   

145,910

   
 

475

   

John Deere Owner Trust

   

0.60

   

03/15/17

   

475,360

   
       

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority

                         
 

17

             

0.688

(b)

 

01/25/21

   

16,869

   
 

225

             

1.038

(b)

 

07/25/25

   

225,351

   
 

100

   

Panhandle-Plains Higher Education Authority, Inc.

   

1.197

(b)

 

07/01/24

   

100,158

   
 

202

   

Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust

   

0.89

   

07/17/17

   

203,016

   
 

235

   

Volvo Financial Equipment LLC (a)

   

0.74

   

03/15/17

   

234,887

   
       

World Omni Automobile Lease Securitization Trust

                         
 

60

             

0.93

   

11/16/15

   

60,170

   
 

113

             

1.10

   

12/15/16

   

113,657

   
        Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Cost $5,332,275)
           

5,711,428

   
   

U.S. Treasury Securities (9.3%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Notes

     
 

150

             

0.375

   

01/15/16

   

149,953

   
 

3,800

             

0.875

   

01/31/17

   

3,804,157

   
        Total U.S. Treasury Securities
(Cost $3,973,240)
           

3,954,110

   
   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages (4.9%)

     
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

181

             

2.32

   

06/01/36

   

192,033

   
 

54

             

2.504

   

07/01/36

   

57,470

   
 

168

             

2.512

   

07/01/38

   

178,008

   
 

400

             

2.554

   

07/01/38

   

430,910

   
 

38

             

2.931

   

01/01/38

   

40,049

   
    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

184

             

2.335

   

05/01/35

   

195,940

   
 

209

             

2.442

   

09/01/38

   

221,958

   
 

342

             

2.522

   

04/01/38

   

362,923

   
 

240

             

2.542

   

10/01/39

   

253,820

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
26



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
    Government National Mortgage Association,
Various Pools:
     

$

124

             

3.00   

%

 

11/20/39 - 02/20/40

 

$

128,876

   
        Total Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages
(Cost $2,067,893)
           

2,061,987

   
   

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series (2.5%)

     
       

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation

                     
 

245

             

1.426

   

08/25/17

   

245,963

   
  197    

REMIC

   

7.50

   

09/15/29

   

228,497

   
       

Federal National Mortgage Association

                     
 

212

             

0.595

   

08/25/15

   

211,961

   
 

117

             

0.953

   

11/25/15

   

117,914

   
 

234

             

1.083

   

02/25/16

   

235,478

   
        Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations - Agency Collateral Series
(Cost $1,028,360)
           

1,039,813

   
   

Sovereign (1.0%)

     
 

245

   

Korea Development Bank (The) (Korea, Republic of)

   

1.50

   

01/22/18

   

235,527

   
 

200

   

Qatar Government International Bond (Qatar) (a)

   

4.00

   

01/20/15

   

207,250

   
        Total Sovereign
(Cost $453,927)
           

442,777

   
   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages (0.5%)

     
    Federal National Mortgage Association,
Conventional Pools:
     
 

113

             

6.50

   

01/01/32 - 11/01/33

   

126,742

   
 

93

             

7.00

   

08/01/29 - 06/01/32

   

103,046

   
        Total Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages
(Cost $216,357)
           

229,788

   
   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (0.5%)

     
 

98

   

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust (See Note 6)

   

2.11

   

01/12/18

   

98,131

   
 

100

   

Hilton USA Trust (a)

   

1.169

(b)

 

11/05/30

   

100,187

   
        Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(Cost $200,188)
           

198,318

   
   

Short-Term Investments (3.8%)

     
   

U.S. Treasury Security (0.3%)

     
 

115

    U.S. Treasury Bill (c)(d)
(Cost $114,973)
   

0.081

   

04/17/14

   

114,989

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
27



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

 

 

VALUE
 
   

Investment Company (3.5%)

 
 

1,469

    Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio - Institutional Class (See Note 6)
(Cost $1,468,944)
 

$

1,468,944

   
    Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $1,583,918)
           

1,583,933

   
    Total Investments
(Cost $41,712,251) (e)
       

99.1

%

   

41,935,668

   
   

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       

0.9

     

384,344

   
   

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

42,320,012

   

  MTN  Medium Term Note.

  REMIC  Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.

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

  (b)  Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2013.

  (c)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at December 31, 2013.

  (d)  All or a portion of the security was pledged to cover margin requirements for futures contracts and swap agreements.

  (e)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with open futures contracts and swap agreements.

FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
 

LONG/SHORT

  DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY
MONTH AND YEAR
  UNDERLYING FACE
AMOUNT AT VALUE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 
 

60

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 2 yr. Note,
Mar-14
 

$

13,188,750

   

$

(22,758

)

 
 

26

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note,
Mar-14
   

3,199,219

     

(61,133

)

 
 

14

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury Long Bond,
Mar-14
   

1,796,375

     

(30,844

)

 
 

22

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury 5 yr. Note,
Mar-14
   

(2,624,875

)

   

34,547

   

Net Unrealized Depreciation

 

$

(80,188

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
28



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

SWAP
COUNTERPARTY &
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION
  BUY/SELL
PROTECTION
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000)
  INTEREST
RATE
  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
  UPFRONT
PAYMENTS
 

VALUE

  CREDIT
RATING OF
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION†
 
                               

(unaudited)

 
Barclays Bank
Alcoa, Inc.
 

Buy

 

$

130

     

1.00

%

 

09/20/18

 

$

(10,380

)

 

$

13,592

   

$

3,212

   

BBB-

 
Barclays Bank
Yum! Brands, Inc.
 

Buy

   

225

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

(1,927

)

   

(3,905

)

   

(5,832

)

 

BBB

 
Barclays Bank
Quest  
Diagnostics Inc.
 

Buy

   

250

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

2,788

     

     

2,788

   

BBB+

 
JPMorgan Chase
CDX.NA.IG.20
 

Sell

   

600

     

1.00

   

06/20/18

   

8,799

     

3,314

     

12,113

   

NR

 
JPMorgan Chase
Kohl's Corporation
 

Buy

   

250

     

1.00

   

06/20/18

   

(14,432

)

   

14,208

     

(224

)

 

BBB+

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC* 
CDX.NA.IG.21
 

Sell

   

225

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

895

     

3,206

     

4,101

   

NR

 
Total Credit
Default Swaps
     

$

1,680

                   

$

(14,257

)

 

$

30,415

   

$

16,158

           

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

SWAP COUNTERPARTY

  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000)
  FLOATING
RATE INDEX
  PAY/RECEIVE
FLOATING RATE
 

FIXED RATE

  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 

Bank of America

 

$

660

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.10

%

 

02/05/23

 

$

40,901

   

Goldman Sachs

   

1,050

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.09

   

02/15/23

   

67,269

   
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC*
   

5,552

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.48

   

08/01/15

   

(16,496

)

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC*
   

2,350

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.75

   

11/20/23

   

61,927

   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

1,060

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.06

   

02/06/23

   

70,031

   

Net Unrealized Appreciation

                     

$

223,632

   

  LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate.

  NR  Not Rated.

  *  Centrally cleared swap agreement, the broker for which is Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC.

  †  Credit rating as issued by Standard & Poor's.

See Notes to Financial Statements
29



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Limited Duration

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

LONG TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS+ (unaudited)  

AAA

   

15.1

%

 

AA

   

27.0

   

A

   

38.1

   

BBB

   

15.7

   

BB

   

0.5

   

Not Rated

   

3.6

   
     

100.0

%++

 

  +  The ratings shown are based on the Portfolio's security ratings as determined by Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch, each a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization ("NRSRO").

  ++  Does not include open long/short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $20,809,219 with net unrealized depreciation of $80,188. Also does not include open swap agreements with net unrealized appreciation of $209,375.

See Notes to Financial Statements
30



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Corporate Bonds (94.1%)

 
   

Basic Materials (5.7%)

 

$

333

   

Allegheny Technologies, Inc.

   

4.25

%

 

06/01/14

 

$

345,488

   
 

545

   

ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)

   

10.35

   

06/01/19

   

692,150

   

EUR

811

   

ArcelorMittal, Series MT (Luxembourg)

   

7.25

   

04/01/14

   

229,153

   

$

225

   

Ashland, Inc.

   

6.875

   

05/15/43

   

213,750

   
 

790

   

BHP Billiton Finance USA Ltd. (Australia)

   

3.85

   

09/30/23

   

795,029

   
 

390

   

Eldorado Gold Corp. (Canada) (a)

   

6.125

   

12/15/20

   

377,325

   
 

940

   

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

   

3.875

   

03/15/23

   

890,598

   
 

390

   

Glencore Funding LLC (a)

   

4.125

   

05/30/23

   

365,157

   
 

890

   

Goldcorp, Inc. (Canada)

   

3.70

   

03/15/23

   

797,491

   
 

535

   

Incitec Pivot Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

4.00

   

12/07/15

   

556,588

   
 

580

   

Kinross Gold Corp. (Canada)

   

5.125

   

09/01/21

   

554,949

   
 

545

   

Lubrizol Corp.

   

8.875

   

02/01/19

   

707,850

   
 

575

   

Mexichem SAB de CV (Mexico) (a)

   

4.875

   

09/19/22

   

564,937

   
 

470

   

NOVA Chemicals Corp. (a)

   

5.25

   

08/01/23

   

485,569

   
 

550

   

Rockwood Specialties Group, Inc.

   

4.625

   

10/15/20

   

564,438

   
 

341

   

United States Steel Corp.

   

4.00

   

05/15/14

   

365,723

   
 

195

   

Vale Overseas Ltd. (Brazil)

   

6.875

   

11/21/36

   

202,362

   
 

210

   

Vale Overseas Ltd. (Brazil)

   

6.875

   

11/10/39

   

218,279

   
         

8,926,836

   
   

Communications (10.4%)

 
 

575

   

21st Century Fox America, Inc.

   

6.15

   

02/15/41

   

643,075

   
 

200

   

21st Century Fox America, Inc.

   

6.40

   

12/15/35

   

228,056

   
 

650

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

5.35

   

09/01/40

   

645,395

   
 

875

   

AT&T, Inc.

   

6.30

   

01/15/38

   

970,215

   
 

310

   

Cablevision Systems Corp.

   

7.75

   

04/15/18

   

347,200

   
 

575

   

CC Holdings GS V LLC/Crown Castle GS III Corp.

   

3.849

   

04/15/23

   

539,291

   
 

670

   

Comcast Corp.

   

6.40

   

05/15/38

   

776,222

   
 

195

   

CSC Holdings LLC

   

6.75

   

11/15/21

   

211,087

   
 

300

   

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV (Germany)

   

8.75

   

06/15/30

   

424,290

   
 

675

   

DirecTV Holdings LLC/DirecTV Financing Co., Inc.

   

3.80

   

03/15/22

   

649,557

   
 

285

   

ENTEL Chile SA (Chile) (a)

   

4.875

   

10/30/24

   

279,117

   
 

350

   

MDC Partners, Inc. (Canada) (a)

   

6.75

   

04/01/20

   

367,937

   
 

505

   

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. (a)

   

6.25

   

04/01/21

   

525,831

   
 

350

   

Omnicom Group, Inc.

   

3.625

   

05/01/22

   

339,541

   
 

250

   

Priceline.com, Inc. (a)

   

0.35

   

06/15/20

   

286,094

   
 

900

   

Qtel International Finance Ltd. (Qatar) (a)

   

3.25

   

02/21/23

   

808,075

   
 

260

   

Qwest Corp.

   

6.875

   

09/15/33

   

250,900

   
 

357

   

RF Micro Devices, Inc.

   

1.00

   

04/15/14

   

358,785

   
 

375

   

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Sweden)

   

4.125

   

05/15/22

   

365,125

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
31



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

580

   

Telefonica Europe BV (Spain)

   

8.25

%

 

09/15/30

 

$

693,592

   
 

125

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

4.50

   

09/15/42

   

95,030

   
 

1,200

   

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

   

6.75

   

07/01/18

   

1,347,042

   
 

760

   

Time Warner, Inc.

   

7.70

   

05/01/32

   

978,460

   
 

1,085

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

3.85

   

11/01/42

   

889,784

   
 

350

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

5.15

   

09/15/23

   

376,514

   
 

1,675

   

Verizon Communications, Inc.

   

6.55

   

09/15/43

   

1,966,653

   
 

500

   

Viacom, Inc.

   

5.85

   

09/01/43

   

527,492

   
 

450

   

WPP Finance 2010 (United Kingdom)

   

3.625

   

09/07/22

   

434,800

   
         

16,325,160

   
   

Consumer, Cyclical (5.3%)

 
 

425

   

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust (a)

   

4.00

   

07/15/25

   

411,188

   
 

900

   

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust (a)

   

4.95

   

01/15/23

   

938,250

   
 

650

   

British Airways PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4.625

   

06/20/24

   

664,625

   
 

715

   

Chrysler Group LLC/CG Co-Issuer, Inc.

   

8.00

   

06/15/19

   

793,650

   
 

395

   

Daimler Finance North America LLC (Germany)

   

8.50

   

01/18/31

   

575,005

   
 

425

   

Exide Technologies (b)(c)

   

8.625

   

02/01/18

   

306,000

   
 

475

   

General Motors Co. (a)

   

4.875

   

10/02/23

   

483,313

   
 

470

   

Glencore Funding LLC (a)

   

2.50

   

01/15/19

   

455,642

   
 

333

   

Iconix Brand Group, Inc.

   

2.50

   

06/01/16

   

458,916

   
 

208

   

International Game Technology

   

3.25

   

05/01/14

   

220,740

   
 

250

   

Lowe's Cos., Inc.

   

5.00

   

09/15/43

   

256,601

   
 

575

   

QVC, Inc.

   

4.375

   

03/15/23

   

538,589

   
 

875

   

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust

   

4.30

   

08/15/25

   

890,312

   
 

275

   

US Airways Pass-Through Trust

   

3.95

   

11/15/25

   

267,438

   
 

780

   

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

   

4.25

   

03/01/22

   

762,555

   
 

265

   

Wynn Las Vegas LLC/Wynn Las Vegas Capital Corp.

   

7.75

   

08/15/20

   

298,788

   
         

8,321,612

   
   

Consumer, Non-Cyclical (7.7%)

 
 

440

   

ADT Corp. (The) (a)

   

6.25

   

10/15/21

   

462,550

   
 

765

   

Aetna, Inc.

   

2.75

   

11/15/22

   

706,044

   
 

400

   

Albea Beauty Holdings SA (a)

   

8.375

   

11/01/19

   

418,000

   
 

465

   

Altria Group, Inc.

   

5.375

   

01/31/44

   

468,667

   
 

819

   

Amgen, Inc.

   

5.15

   

11/15/41

   

818,962

   
 

340

   

ARAMARK Corp. (a)

   

5.75

   

03/15/20

   

357,000

   
 

242

   

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

   

0.875

   

02/15/14

   

256,369

   
 

450

   

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

   

1.50

   

10/15/20

   

483,469

   
 

425

   

Boston Scientific Corp.

   

4.125

   

10/01/23

   

422,401

   
 

495

   

Boston Scientific Corp.

   

6.00

   

01/15/20

   

569,005

   
 

260

    BRF SA (Brazil) (a)    

3.95

   

05/22/23

   

225,550

   
 

350

   

ESAL GmbH (Brazil) (a)

   

6.25

   

02/05/23

   

315,875

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
32



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

279

   

Jarden Corp.

   

1.875

%

 

09/15/18

 

$

395,483

   
 

200

   

JBS Investments GmbH (Brazil) (a)

   

7.75

   

10/28/20

   

203,000

   
 

700

   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA (a)

   

4.75

   

04/15/23

   

647,240

   
 

321

   

PHH Corp.

   

4.00

   

09/01/14

   

343,671

   
 

600

   

Philip Morris International, Inc.

   

4.50

   

03/20/42

   

562,618

   
 

455

   

RR Donnelley & Sons Co.

   

7.875

   

03/15/21

   

507,325

   
 

425

   

Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (a)

   

6.00

   

01/15/21

   

436,687

   
 

800

   

Sigma Alimentos SA de CV (Mexico) (a)

   

5.625

   

04/14/18

   

868,000

   
 

280

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Co. BV (Israel)

   

2.95

   

12/18/22

   

253,993

   
 

720

   

Teva Pharmaceutical Finance IV BV (Israel)

   

3.65

   

11/10/21

   

707,384

   
 

630

   

Verisk Analytics, Inc.

   

5.80

   

05/01/21

   

681,384

   
 

930

   

WM Wrigley Jr Co. (a)

   

2.90

   

10/21/19

   

923,535

   
         

12,034,212

   
   

Energy (8.7%)

 
 

160

   

Access Midstream Partners LP/ACMP Finance Corp.

   

4.875

   

05/15/23

   

155,200

   
 

675

   

Buckeye Partners LP

   

4.15

   

07/01/23

   

650,295

   
 

450

   

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (Canada)

   

6.25

   

03/15/38

   

505,889

   
 

225

   

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd. (Canada) (a)

   

6.00

   

04/01/42

   

230,878

   
 

550

   

Canadian Oil Sands Ltd. (Canada) (a)

   

7.75

   

05/15/19

   

660,122

   
 

400

   

Cimarex Energy Co.

   

5.875

   

05/01/22

   

425,000

   
 

125

   

Continental Resources, Inc.

   

4.50

   

04/15/23

   

126,875

   
 

420

   

Continental Resources, Inc.

   

7.125

   

04/01/21

   

478,275

   
 

600

   

DCP Midstream Operating LP

   

3.875

   

03/15/23

   

553,565

   
 

510

   

Ecopetrol SA (Colombia)

   

5.875

   

09/18/23

   

539,325

   
 

425

   

Energy Transfer Partners LP

   

3.60

   

02/01/23

   

394,314

   
 

600

   

Energy Transfer Partners LP

   

4.90

   

02/01/24

   

610,287

   

EUR

200

   

Eni SpA, Series GALP (Italy)

   

0.25

   

11/30/15

   

281,468

   

$

850

   

Enterprise Products Operating LLC

   

5.95

   

02/01/41

   

928,930

   
 

175

   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

   

2.65

   

02/01/19

   

173,263

   
 

1,175

   

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP

   

3.50

   

09/01/23

   

1,081,033

   
 

210

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc. (a)

   

5.625

   

11/15/23

   

204,380

   
 

200

   

Lukoil International Finance BV (Russia)

   

2.625

   

06/16/15

   

215,400

   
 

225

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

5.125

   

03/01/21

   

244,102

   
 

375

   

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

   

6.50

   

03/01/41

   

428,833

   
 

555

   

Murphy Oil Corp.

   

3.70

   

12/01/22

   

513,777

   
 

500

   

Nexen Energy ULC (Canada)

   

6.40

   

05/15/37

   

570,978

   
 

250

   

Phillips 66

   

4.30

   

04/01/22

   

254,493

   
 

675

   

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

   

3.95

   

07/15/22

   

678,775

   
 

670

   

Plains All American Pipeline LP/PAA Finance Corp.

   

6.70

   

05/15/36

   

788,090

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
33



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

225

   

Spectra Energy Capital LLC

   

8.00   

%

 

10/01/19

 

$

268,328

   
 

170

   

Tesoro Corp.

   

5.375

   

10/01/22

   

172,975

   
 

450

   

Transocean, Inc.

   

6.375

   

12/15/21

   

506,471

   
 

875

   

Weatherford International Ltd.

   

4.50

   

04/15/22

   

881,987

   
   

   

13,523,308

   
   

Finance (42.8%)

 

EUR

200

   

Aabar Investments PJSC (Germany)

   

4.00

   

05/27/16

   

326,041

   

$

390

   

ABB Treasury Center USA, Inc. (Switzerland) (a)

   

4.00

   

06/15/21

   

400,673

   
 

800

   

ABN Amro Bank N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

2.50

   

10/30/18

   

798,672

   
 

375

   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.

   

3.90

   

06/15/23

   

350,113

   
 

325

   

American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP

   

3.75

   

04/15/23

   

302,184

   
 

1,285

   

American Financial Group, Inc.

   

9.875

   

06/15/19

   

1,663,328

   
 

375

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

4.875

   

06/01/22

   

403,757

   
 

720

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

6.40

   

12/15/20

   

852,161

   
 

350

   

American International Group, Inc.

   

8.25

   

08/15/18

   

438,678

   
 

870

   

American Tower Corp.

   

3.50

   

01/31/23

   

794,728

   
 

151

   

Ares Capital Corp. (a)

   

4.375

   

01/15/19

   

157,512

   
 

825

   

Banco de Credito del Peru (Peru) (a)

   

6.125

(d)

 

04/24/27

   

827,063

   
 

1,930

   

Barclays Bank PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.05

   

12/04/17

   

2,165,323

   
 

800

   

BBVA Bancomer SA (Mexico) (a)

   

6.50

   

03/10/21

   

848,000

   
 

610

   

Bear Stearns Cos., LLC (The)

   

5.55

   

01/22/17

   

680,322

   
 

300

   

Billion Express Investments Ltd. (China) (e)

   

0.75

   

10/18/15

   

308,775

   
 

365

   

BNP Paribas SA (France)

   

5.00

   

01/15/21

   

400,998

   
 

75

   

Boston Properties LP

   

3.80

   

02/01/24

   

72,071

   
 

385

   

Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. (Canada)

   

5.80

   

04/25/17

   

421,122

   
 

936

   

Capital One Bank, USA NA

   

3.375

   

02/15/23

   

871,858

   
 

475

   

CBL & Associates LP

   

5.25

   

12/01/23

   

475,277

   
 

170

   

Citigroup, Inc. (See Note 6)

   

5.50

   

09/13/25

   

179,439

   
 

170

   

Citigroup, Inc. (See Note 6)

   

6.675

   

09/13/43

   

196,288

   
 

1,200

   

Citigroup, Inc. (See Note 6)

   

8.125

   

07/15/39

   

1,688,645

   
 

400

   

Citigroup, Inc. (See Note 6)

   

8.50

   

05/22/19

   

513,212

   
 

700

   

CNA Financial Corp.

   

7.35

   

11/15/19

   

850,629

   
 

560

    Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA
(Netherlands)
   

5.75

   

12/01/43

   

595,827

   
 

260

    Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA
(Netherlands) (a)
   

11.00

(d)

 

06/30/19(f)

   

344,825

   
 

825

   

Credit Suisse AG (Switzerland) (a)

   

6.50

   

08/08/23

   

879,656

   
 

570

   

Credit Suisse Group AG (Switzerland) (a)

   

7.50

(d)

 

12/11/23(f)

   

602,946

   
 

665

   

Deutsche Bank AG (Germany)

   

4.296

(d)

 

05/24/28

   

603,181

   
 

800

   

Dexus Diversified Trust/Dexus Office Trust (Australia) (a)

   

5.60

   

03/15/21

   

844,450

   
 

425

   

Discover Bank

   

7.00

   

04/15/20

   

494,910

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
34



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

715

   

Discover Financial Services

   

3.85   

%

 

11/21/22

 

$

679,196

   
 

1,060

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

4.207

   

04/15/16

   

1,130,089

   
 

600

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

5.00

   

05/15/18

   

669,007

   
 

850

   

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC

   

5.875

   

08/02/21

   

965,150

   
 

545

   

General Electric Capital Corp.

   

5.30

   

02/11/21

   

610,561

   
 

1,170

   

General Electric Capital Corp., MTN

   

5.875

   

01/14/38

   

1,337,282

   
 

1,650

   

General Electric Capital Corp., Series G

   

6.00

   

08/07/19

   

1,938,309

   
 

620

   

Genworth Financial, Inc.

   

7.70

   

06/15/20

   

740,098

   
 

1,170

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

2.375

   

01/22/18

   

1,175,576

   
 

1,310

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

3.625

   

01/22/23

   

1,270,961

   
 

900

   

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

   

6.75

   

10/01/37

   

1,004,396

   
 

950

   

Goodman Funding Pty Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

6.375

   

04/15/21

   

1,055,942

   
 

600

   

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

   

5.50

   

03/30/20

   

675,278

   
 

1,675

   

HBOS PLC, Series G (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.75

   

05/21/18

   

1,903,013

   
 

400

   

Healthcare Trust of America Holdings LP

   

3.70

   

04/15/23

   

369,290

   
 

300

   

Host Hotels & Resorts LP, Series D

   

3.75

   

10/15/23

   

278,713

   
 

485

   

HSBC Finance Corp.

   

6.676

   

01/15/21

   

558,079

   
 

440

   

HSBC Holdings PLC (United Kingdom)

   

4.00

   

03/30/22

   

453,045

   
 

705

   

HSBC Holdings PLC (United Kingdom)

   

6.50

   

05/02/36

   

837,731

   
 

750

   

ING Bank N.V. (Netherlands) (a)

   

5.80

   

09/25/23

   

785,654

   
 

375

   

ING US, Inc.

   

5.65

(d)

 

05/15/53

   

364,781

   
 

935

   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (Italy)

   

3.875

   

01/16/18

   

958,313

   
 

310

   

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp. (a)

   

7.375

   

04/01/20

   

323,950

   
 

490

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

3.20

   

01/25/23

   

465,434

   
 

1,675

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

3.375

   

05/01/23

   

1,564,170

   
 

1,745

   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   

4.50

   

01/24/22

   

1,848,866

   
 

550

   

Kilroy Realty LP

   

3.80

   

01/15/23

   

513,868

   
 

275

   

Lincoln National Corp.

   

7.00

   

06/15/40

   

345,701

   
 

705

   

Macquarie Group Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

6.00

   

01/14/20

   

779,693

   
 

625

   

Markel Corp.

   

3.625

   

03/30/23

   

589,387

   
 

555

   

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

   

7.75

   

05/14/38

   

718,772

   
 

3,625

   

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., MTN

   

6.875

   

04/25/18

   

4,290,166

   
 

600

   

Metlife Capital Trust IV (See Note 6) (a)

   

7.875

   

12/15/37

   

691,500

   
 

830

   

Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. (Japan) (a)

   

1.85

   

03/21/18

   

809,790

   
 

600

   

National Retail Properties, Inc.

   

3.30

   

04/15/23

   

545,794

   
 

1,315

   

Nationwide Building Society (United Kingdom) (a)

   

6.25

   

02/25/20

   

1,506,926

   
 

775

   

Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. (a)

   

5.375

   

03/25/21

   

833,421

   
 

450

   

Piedmont Operating Partnership LP

   

3.40

   

06/01/23

   

400,182

   
 

370

   

Platinum Underwriters Finance, Inc., Series B

   

7.50

   

06/01/17

   

409,138

   
 

1,035

   

Post Apartment Homes LP

   

3.375

   

12/01/22

   

955,241

   
 

350

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

1.85

   

11/15/17

   

347,156

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
35



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

425

   

Principal Financial Group, Inc.

   

8.875  

%

 

05/15/19

 

$

543,980

   
 

925

   

Protective Life Corp.

   

7.375

   

10/15/19

   

1,129,484

   
 

675

   

Prudential Financial, Inc.

   

5.625

(d)

 

06/15/43

   

664,875

   
 

135

   

Prudential Financial, Inc., MTN

   

6.625

   

12/01/37

   

162,407

   
 

775

   

QBE Capital Funding III Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

7.25

(d)

 

05/24/41

   

802,691

   
 

575

   

Realty Income Corp.

   

3.25

   

10/15/22

   

527,201

   
 

370

   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC (United Kingdom)

   

6.00

   

12/19/23

   

373,097

   
 

280

   

Santander Holdings USA, Inc.

   

3.45

   

08/27/18

   

287,493

   
 

700

   

Santander US Debt SAU (Spain) (a)

   

3.724

   

01/20/15

   

714,132

   
 

775

   

Societe Generale SA (France) (a)

   

5.20

   

04/15/21

   

853,225

   
 

510

   

Standard Chartered PLC (United Kingdom) (a)

   

3.95

   

01/11/23

   

473,916

   
 

550

   

Turkiye Is Bankasi (Turkey) (a)

   

7.85

   

12/10/23

   

549,505

   
 

575

   

Weingarten Realty Investors

   

3.375

   

10/15/22

   

529,235

   
 

284

   

Wells Fargo & Co. (a)

   

5.606

   

01/15/44

   

296,077

   
         

66,959,601

   
   

Industrials (5.3%)

 
 

522

   

Anixter, Inc.

   

5.625

   

05/01/19

   

551,363

   
 

505

   

Bombardier, Inc. (Canada) (a)

   

7.75

   

03/15/20

   

575,700

   
 

1,000

   

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC

   

3.05

   

03/15/22

   

949,532

   
 

480

   

CRH America, Inc.

   

8.125

   

07/15/18

   

588,536

   
 

248

   

General Cable Corp.

   

5.00

(g)

 

11/15/29

   

266,135

   
 

1,060

   

Heathrow Funding Ltd. (United Kingdom) (a)

   

4.875

   

07/15/21

   

1,114,141

   
 

545

   

Holcim US Finance Sarl & Cie SCS (Switzerland) (a)

   

6.00

   

12/30/19

   

616,777

   
 

950

   

Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands)

   

3.75

   

03/15/22

   

952,179

   
 

340

   

L-3 Communications Corp.

   

4.95

   

02/15/21

   

356,154

   
 

510

   

MasTec, Inc.

   

4.875

   

03/15/23

   

483,225

   
 

460

   

Packaging Corp. of America

   

4.50

   

11/01/23

   

462,093

   
 

500

   

Silgan Holdings, Inc. (a)

   

5.50

   

02/01/22

   

497,500

   
 

460

   

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

   

4.15

   

02/01/24

   

456,559

   
 

269

   

Trinity Industries, Inc.

   

3.875

   

06/01/36

   

355,584

   
         

8,225,478

   
   

Technology (2.2%)

 
 

245

   

CACI International, Inc.

   

2.125

   

05/01/14

   

328,759

   
 

235

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

   

2.60

   

09/15/17

   

238,980

   
 

495

   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

   

4.65

   

12/09/21

   

510,533

   
 

234

   

Intel Corp.

   

2.95

   

12/15/35

   

262,665

   
 

255

   

Lam Research Corp.

   

1.25

   

05/15/18

   

311,419

   
 

400

   

NetApp, Inc.

   

2.00

   

12/15/17

   

398,322

   
 

264

   

Nuance Communications, Inc.

   

2.75

   

11/01/31

   

259,215

   
 

438

   

Salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

0.25

   

04/01/18

   

476,599

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
36



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 

$

325

   

SanDisk Corp. (a)

   

0.50  

%

 

10/15/20

 

$

323,375

   
 

355

   

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

   

1.75

   

12/01/16

   

411,356

   
         

3,521,223

   
   

Utilities (6.0%)

 
 

775

   

Boston Gas Co. (a)

   

4.487

   

02/15/42

   

735,466

   
 

530

   

CEZ AS (Czech Republic) (a)

   

4.25

   

04/03/22

   

532,091

   
 

495

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

5.05

   

03/15/22

   

535,289

   
 

280

   

CMS Energy Corp.

   

6.25

   

02/01/20

   

324,129

   
 

750

   

EDP Finance BV (Portugal) (a)

   

4.90

   

10/01/19

   

765,000

   
 

675

   

Enel Finance International N.V. (Italy) (a)

   

5.125

   

10/07/19

   

721,565

   
 

210

   

Enel SpA (Italy) (a)

   

8.75

(d)

 

09/24/73

   

229,135

   
 

1,400

   

Exelon Generation Co., LLC

   

4.00

   

10/01/20

   

1,401,511

   
 

575

   

Iberdrola Finance Ireland Ltd. (Spain) (a)

   

5.00

   

09/11/19

   

619,416

   
 

850

   

Jersey Central Power & Light Co. (a)

   

4.70

   

04/01/24

   

843,022

   
 

325

   

Origin Energy Finance Ltd. (Australia) (a)

   

3.50

   

10/09/18

   

326,961

   
 

775

   

PPL WEM Holdings PLC (a)

   

3.90

   

05/01/16

   

810,333

   
 

590

   

Puget Energy, Inc.

   

6.50

   

12/15/20

   

672,276

   
 

870

   

TransAlta Corp. (Canada)

   

4.50

   

11/15/22

   

837,247

   
         

9,353,441

   
    Total Corporate Bonds
(Cost $141,683,577)
   

147,190,871

   
   

Asset-Backed Securities (0.8%)

 
   

CVS Pass-Through Trust

 
 

954

             

6.036

   

12/10/28

   

1,052,361

   
 

110

   

(a)

   

8.353

   

07/10/31

   

137,813

   
    Total Asset-Backed Securities
(Cost $1,064,305)
   

1,190,174

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 
 
 
 
 
   

Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.3%)

 
   

Electric Utilities

 
 

5,800

   

NextEra Energy, Inc. (h)

                   

328,454

   
 

4,350

   

PPL Corp. (h)

                   

230,028

   
        Total Convertible Preferred Stocks
(Cost $566,588)
           

558,482

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
37



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 
  COUPON
RATE
  MATURITY
DATE
 

VALUE

 
   

Sovereign (0.2%)

 

$

355

    Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2012 Ltd.
(China) (a)(e) (Cost $353,981)2.75%05/17/17
 

$

363,869

   
   

Short-Term Investments (3.5%)

 
   

U.S. Treasury Securities (0.6%)

 
   

U.S. Treasury Bills

 
  25    

(i)(j)

   

0.041

   

01/30/14

   

24,999

   
 

905

   

(i)(j)

   

0.081

   

04/17/14

   

904,911

   
    Total U.S. Treasury Securities
(Cost $929,786)
   

929,910

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 
 
 
 
 
   

Investment Company (2.9%)

 
 

4,474

    Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds - Money Market
Portfolio - Institutional Class (See Note 6)
(Cost $4,473,538)0.05112/31/30
   

4,473,538

   
    Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost $5,403,324)
   

5,403,448

   
        Total Investments
(Cost $149,071,775) (k)
       

98.9

%

   

154,706,844

   
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

       

1.1

     

1,719,684

   
       

Net Assets

       

100.0

%

 

$

156,426,528

   

  MTN  Medium Term Note.

  PJSC  Public Joint Stock Company.

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

  (b)  Issuer in bankruptcy.

  (c)  Non-income producing security; bond in default.

  (d)  Variable/Floating Rate Security — Interest rate changes on these instruments are based on changes in a designated base rate. The rates shown are those in effect on December 31, 2013.

  (e)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

  (f)  Perpetual — One or more securities do not have a predetermined maturity date. Rates for these securities are fixed for a period of time, after which they revert to a floating rate. Interest rates in effect are as of December 31, 2013.

  (g)  Multi-step coupon rate changes in predetermined increments to maturity. Rate disclosed is as of December 31, 2013. Maturity date disclosed is the ultimate maturity date.

  (h)  Non-income producing security.

  (i)  Rate shown is the yield to maturity at December 31, 2013.

See Notes to Financial Statements
38



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

  (j)  All or a portion of the security was pledged to cover margin requirements for futures contracts and swap agreements.

  (k)  Securities are available for collateral in connection with an open foreign currency forward exchange contract, futures contracts and swap agreements.

FOREIGN CURRENCY FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACT OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

COUNTERPARTY

  CONTRACTS
TO DELIVER
  IN EXCHANGE
FOR
  DELIVERY
DATE
  UNREALIZED
DEPRECIATION
 

HSBC Bank PLC

 

EUR

590,333

   

$

803,436

   

01/09/14

 

$

(8,683

)

 

FUTURES CONTRACTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

NUMBER OF
CONTRACTS
 

LONG/SHORT

  DESCRIPTION, DELIVERY
MONTH AND YEAR
  UNDERLYING FACE
AMOUNT AT VALUE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 
 

220

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury 2 yr. Note,
Mar-14
 

$

48,358,750

   

$

(92,720

)

 
 

143

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond,
Mar-14
   

19,483,750

     

(302,758

)

 
 

6

   

Long

  U.S. Treasury Long Bond,
Mar-14
   

769,875

     

(8,063

)

 
 

23

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury 5 yr. Note,
Mar-14
   

(2,744,187

)

   

36,258

   
 

123

   

Short

  U.S. Treasury 10 yr. Note,
Mar-14
   

(15,134,766

)

   

280,500

   

Net Unrealized Depreciation

 

$

(86,783

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
39



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

CREDIT DEFAULT SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

COUNTERPARTY &  SWAP
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION
  BUY/SELL
PROTECTION
  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000)
  INTEREST
RATE
  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
  UPFRONT
PAYMENTS
 

VALUE

  CREDIT
RATING OF
REFERENCE
OBLIGATION†
 
                               

(unaudited)

 
Barclays Bank
Alcoa, Inc.
 

Buy

 

$

450

     

1.00

%

 

09/20/18

 

$

(35,932

)

 

$

47,051

   

$

11,119

   

BBB-

 
Barclays Bank
Quest  
Diagnostics Inc.
 

Buy

   

845

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

9,424

     

     

9,424

   

BBB+

 
Barclays Bank
Yum! Brands, Inc.
 

Buy

   

825

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

(7,068

)

   

(14,319

)

   

(21,387

)

 

BBB

 
JPMorgan Chase
CDX.NA.IG.20
 

Sell

   

1,700

     

1.00

   

06/20/18

   

24,932

     

9,390

     

34,322

   

NR

 
JPMorgan Chase
Kohl's Corporation
 

Buy

   

950

     

1.00

   

06/20/18

   

(54,842

)

   

53,992

     

(850

)

 

BBB+

 
JPMorgan Chase
CDX.NA.IG.20
 

Sell

   

385

     

1.00

   

06/20/18

   

3,257

     

4,515

     

7,772

   

NR

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC* 
CDX.NA.IG.21
 

Sell

   

825

     

1.00

   

12/20/18

   

3,281

     

11,755

     

15,036

   

NR

 
Total Credit
Default Swaps
     

$

5,980

           

$

(56,948

)

 

$

112,384

   

$

55,436

           

See Notes to Financial Statements
40



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Income Plus

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS OPEN AT DECEMBER 31, 2013:

SWAP COUNTERPARTY

  NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
(000)
  FLOATING
RATE INDEX
  PAY/RECEIVE
FLOATING RATE
 

FIXED RATE

  TERMINATION
DATE
  UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 

Bank of America

 

$

2,000

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.04

%

 

02/13/23

 

$

136,650

   

Deutsche Bank

   

2,185

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.80

   

05/01/43

   

447,460

   

Deutsche Bank

   

6,510

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

3.03

   

05/14/43

   

1,070,267

   

Goldman Sachs

   

2,200

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.42

   

03/22/22

   

45,331

   

JPMorgan Chase

   

1,069

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.43

   

03/22/22

   

20,713

   

JPMorgan Chase

   

3,960

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.09

   

02/15/23

   

253,702

   
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC*
   

20,566

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

0.48

   

08/01/15

   

(61,104

)

 
Morgan Stanley &
Co., LLC*
   

7,820

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.75

   

11/20/23

   

206,072

   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

2,000

    3 Month LIBOR  

Receive

   

2.06

   

02/06/23

   

132,133

   

Net Unrealized Appreciation

      $2,251,224  

  LIBOR  London Interbank Offered Rate.

  NR  Not Rated.

  †  Credit rating as issued by Standard & Poor's.

  *  Centrally cleared swap agreement, the broker for which is Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC.

Currency Abbreviations:

EUR  Euro.

LONG TERM CREDIT ANALYSIS+ (unaudited)  

AA

   

4.2

%

 

A

   

28.8

   

BBB

   

51.1

   

BB

   

8.9

   

B or Below

   

2.1

   

Not Rated

   

4.9

   
     

100.0

%++

 

  +  The ratings shown are based on the Portfolio's security ratings as determined by Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch, each a Nationally Recognized Statistical Ratings Organization ("NRSRO").

  ++  Does not include open long/short futures contracts with an underlying face amount of $86,491,328 with net unrealized depreciation of $86,783. Does not include open foreign currency forward exchange contract with total unrealized depreciation of $8,683. Also does not include open swap agreements with net unrealized appreciation of $2,194,276.

See Notes to Financial Statements
41




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Global Infrastructure

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
    Common Stocks (94.2%)
Australia (3.7%)
 
   

Airports

 
 

53,018

   

Sydney Airport

 

$

179,891

   
   

Diversified

 
 

185,543

   

DUET Group (a)

   

331,343

   
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

37,735

   

APA Group (a)

   

202,161

   
   

Toll Roads

 
 

75,579

    Macquarie Atlas Roads
Group
   

185,583

   
 

251,610

   

Transurban Group (a)

   

1,536,692

   
     

1,722,275

   
   

Transmission & Distribution

 
 

159,429

    Spark Infrastructure
Group (a)
   

231,326

   
       

Total Australia

   

2,666,996

   
   

Austria (1.0%)

 
   

Airports

 
 

8,950

   

Flughafen Wien AG

   

751,063

   
   

Brazil (2.1%)

 
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

18,700

   

CCR SA

   

140,849

   
   

Water

 
 

123,100

    Cia de Saneamento Basico
do Estado de Sao Paulo
ADR (a)
   

1,395,954

   
       

Total Brazil

   

1,536,803

   
   

Canada (13.5%)

 
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

80,828

   

Enbridge, Inc.

   

3,531,398

   
 

135,990

   

TransCanada Corp. (a)

   

6,214,125

   
       

Total Canada

   

9,745,523

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

China (4.1%)

 
   

Diversified

 
 

44,000

    Guangdong Investment
Ltd. (b)
 

$

43,011

   
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

117,000

    Beijing Enterprises
Holdings Ltd. (b)
   

1,160,298

   
 

305,000

    China Gas Holdings
Ltd. (b)
   

448,397

   
 

56,000

    ENN Energy Holdings
Ltd. (b)
   

414,170

   
     

2,022,865

   
   

Ports

 
 

130,293

    China Merchants Holdings
International Co., Ltd. (b)
   

475,516

   
   

Toll Roads

 
 

332,000

    Jiangsu Expressway Co.,
Ltd., H Shares (b)
   

408,026

   
       

Total China

   

2,949,418

   
   

France (3.7%)

 
   

Communications

 
 

43,871

    Eutelsat
Communications SA
   

1,367,908

   
 

40,735

   

SES SA

   

1,318,600

   
       

Total France

   

2,686,508

   
   

Germany (1.9%)

 
   

Airports

 
 

18,385

    Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport
Services Worldwide
   

1,375,645

   
   

Italy (6.2%)

 
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

427,846

   

Snam SpA

   

2,393,197

   
   

Toll Roads

 
 

54,232

   

Atlantia SpA (a)

   

1,216,839

   
 

31,775

    Societa Iniziative
Autostradali e
Servizi SpA
   

315,388

   
     

1,532,227

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
42



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Global Infrastructure

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Transmission & Distribution

 
 

106,550

    Terna Rete Elettrica
Nazionale SpA
 

$

532,381

   
       

Total Italy

   

4,457,805

   
   

Japan (1.4%)

 
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

202,000

   

Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.

   

993,600

   
   

Luxembourg (1.1%)

 
   

Communications

 
 

34,650

   

Intelsat SA (c)

   

781,011

   
   

Netherlands (1.6%)

 
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

19,314

   

Koninklijke Vopak N.V.

   

1,129,767

   
   

Spain (2.4%)

 
   

Diversified

 
 

41,073

   

Ferrovial SA

   

794,730

   
   

Toll Roads

 
 

23,386

    Abertis Infraestructuras
SA (a)
   

519,580

   
   

Transmission & Distribution

 
 

6,300

    Red Electrica Corp.,
SA (a)
   

420,345

   
       

Total Spain

   

1,734,655

   
   

Switzerland (1.3%)

 
   

Airports

 
 

1,674

    Flughafen Zuerich AG
(Registered)
   

978,635

   
   

United Kingdom (7.1%)

 
   

Transmission & Distribution

 
 

282,410

   

National Grid PLC

   

3,685,135

   
   

Water

 
 

23,400

   

Pennon Group PLC

   

255,164

   
 

29,260

   

Severn Trent PLC

   

826,125

   
 

33,130

   

United Utilities Group PLC

   

368,396

   
     

1,449,685

   
       

Total United Kingdom

   

5,134,820

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

United States (43.1%)

 
   

Communications

 
 

37,520

   

American Tower Corp. REIT

 

$

2,994,846

   
 

33,730

    Crown Castle International
Corp. (c)
   

2,476,794

   
 

18,170

    SBA Communications Corp.,
Class A (c)
   

1,632,393

   
     

7,104,033

   
   

Diversified

 
 

87,140

   

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

   

2,019,905

   
    Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 
 

5,840

   

Atmos Energy Corp.

   

265,253

   
 

16,600

   

Cheniere Energy, Inc. (c)

   

715,792

   
 

38,256

    Enbridge Energy
Management LLC (c)
   

1,097,182

   
 

52,870

   

Kinder Morgan, Inc.

   

1,903,320

   
 

29,660

   

NiSource, Inc.

   

975,221

   
 

33,580

   

ONEOK, Inc.

   

2,088,004

   
 

22,740

    Plains GP Holdings LP,
Class A (c)
   

608,750

   
 

5,650

    SemGroup Corp.,
Class A
   

368,550

   
 

28,200

   

Sempra Energy

   

2,531,232

   
 

63,676

   

Spectra Energy Corp.

   

2,268,139

   
 

70,730

   

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)

   

2,728,056

   
     

15,549,499

   
   

Transmission & Distribution

 
 

21,632

   

ITC Holdings Corp.

   

2,072,778

   
 

31,618

   

Northeast Utilities

   

1,340,287

   
 

46,050

   

PG&E Corp.

   

1,854,894

   
     

5,267,959

   
   

Water

 
 

28,910

    American Water Works
Co., Inc.
   

1,221,737

   
       

Total United States

   

31,163,133

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $49,158,736)
   

68,085,382

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
43



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Global Infrastructure

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

VALUE

 
    Short-Term Investments (18.7%)
Securities held as Collateral
on Loaned Securities (13.8%)
 
   

Investment Company (11.9%)

 
 

8,604

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 6)
(Cost $8,603,629)
 

$

8,603,629

   
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

 

 
   

Repurchase Agreements (1.9%)

 

$

554

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(0.18%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$553,537; fully
collateralized by various
Common Stocks and
Exchange Traded Funds;
valued at $598,143)
   

553,531

   
 

775

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
(0.01%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$774,944; fully
collateralized by various
U.S. Government
Obligations; 0.63% - 3.63%
due 08/15/16 - 02/15/21;
valued at $790,443)
   

774,944

   
        Total Repurchase
Agreements
(Cost $1,328,475)
   

1,328,475

   
        Total Securities held as
Collateral on Loaned
Securities
(Cost $9,932,104)
   

9,932,104

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Investment Company (4.9%)

     
 

3,573

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Treasury
Portfolio - Institutional
Class (See Note 6)
(Cost $3,573,060)
 

$

3,573,060

   
    Total Short-Term
Investments
(Cost $13,505,164)
   

13,505,164

   
Total Investments
(Cost $62,663,900)
   

112.9

%

   

81,590,546

   
Liabilities in Excess of
Other Assets
   

(12.9

)

   

(9,333,506

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

72,257,040

   

  ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

  REIT  Real Estate Investment Trust.

  (a)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2013.

  (b)  Security trades on the Hong Kong exchange.

  (c)  Non-income producing security.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
INDUSTRY
 

VALUE

  PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 
Oil & Gas Storage &
Transportation
 

$

32,177,461

     

44.9

%

 

Communications

   

10,571,552

     

14.8

   
Transmission &
Distribution
   

10,137,146

     

14.1

   

Toll Roads

   

4,182,108

     

5.8

   

Water

   

4,067,376

     

5.7

   

Investment Company

   

3,573,060

     

5.0

   

Airports

   

3,285,234

     

4.6

   

Diversified

   

3,188,989

     

4.4

   

Ports

   

475,516

     

0.7

   
   

$

71,658,442

*

   

100.0

%

 

*  Does not reflect the value of securities held as collateral on loaned securities.

See Notes to Financial Statements
44



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
    Common Stocks (98.5%)
Belgium (1.4%)
 
   

Chemicals

 
 

16,206

   

Umicore SA (a)

 

$

757,013

   
   

Finland (1.5%)

 
   

Machinery

 
 

18,521

   

Kone Oyj, Class B (a)

   

835,722

   
   

France (17.8%)

 
   

Aerospace & Defense

 
 

12,074

    European Aeronautic
Defense and Space
Co., N.V.
   

927,015

   
   

Commercial Banks

 
 

19,052

   

BNP Paribas SA

   

1,484,787

   
 

65,673

   

Credit Agricole SA (b)

   

840,672

   
 

20,508

   

Societe Generale SA

   

1,191,146

   
     

3,516,605

   
   

Electrical Equipment

 
 

13,531

   

Schneider Electric SA

   

1,180,165

   
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

 
 

20,533

   

Accor SA

   

968,880

   
   

Insurance

 
 

57,515

   

AXA SA

   

1,599,083

   
   

Media

 
 

27,050

   

SES SA

   

875,614

   
   

Multi-Utilities

 
 

43,857

   

Suez Environnement Co.

   

785,851

   
       

Total France

   

9,853,213

   
   

Germany (14.8%)

 
   

Automobiles

 
 

17,570

   

Daimler AG (Registered)

   

1,520,358

   
 

4,849

   

Volkswagen AG (Preference)

   

1,361,837

   
     

2,882,195

   
    Health Care Providers &
Services
 
 

6,008

   

Fresenius SE & Co., KGaA

   

922,397

   
   

Industrial Conglomerates

 
 

12,497

   

Siemens AG (Registered)

   

1,707,005

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Insurance

 
 

4,711

    Muenchener
Rueckversicherungs AG
(Registered)
 

$

1,037,919

   
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

11,479

   

Bayer AG (Registered)

   

1,609,959

   
       

Total Germany

   

8,159,475

   
   

Netherlands (1.9%)

 
   

Media

 
 

48,981

   

Reed Elsevier N.V.

   

1,037,700

   
   

Portugal (1.2%)

 
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 
 

40,399

   

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   

662,198

   
   

Spain (4.4%)

 
   

Commercial Banks

 
 

100,276

    Banco Bilbao Vizcaya
Argentaria SA
   

1,234,373

   
    Information Technology
Services
 
 

27,810

    Amadeus IT Holding SA,
Class A
   

1,190,022

   
       

Total Spain

   

2,424,395

   
   

Sweden (3.2%)

 
   

Household Products

 
 

30,805

    Svenska Cellulosa AB
SCA, Class B
   

948,311

   
    Wireless Telecommunication
Services
 
 

8,125

    Millicom International
Cellular SA SDR (a)
   

809,108

   
       

Total Sweden

   

1,757,419

   
   

Switzerland (14.0%)

 
   

Food Products

 
 

32,633

   

Nestle SA (Registered)

   

2,388,807

   
   

Insurance

 
 

3,953

    Zurich Insurance
Group AG (b)
   

1,145,508

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
45



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

26,036

   

Novartis AG (Registered)

 

$

2,078,093

   
 

7,685

    Roche Holding AG
(Genusschein)
   

2,146,855

   
     

4,224,948

   
       

Total Switzerland

   

7,759,263

   
   

United Kingdom (38.3%)

 
   

Aerospace & Defense

 
 

59,090

   

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (b)

   

1,247,589

   
   

Commercial Banks

 
 

302,363

   

Barclays PLC

   

1,361,648

   
 

176,969

   

HSBC Holdings PLC

   

1,941,175

   
     

3,302,823

   
   

Household Products

 
 

15,948

    Reckitt Benckiser
Group PLC
   

1,265,788

   
   

Insurance

 
 

65,490

   

Prudential PLC

   

1,453,205

   
   

Media

 
 

52,269

    British Sky Broadcasting
Group PLC
   

730,523

   
   

Metals & Mining

 
 

189,150

   

Glencore Xstrata PLC (b)

   

979,448

   
   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

 
 

59,535

   

BG Group PLC

   

1,279,166

   
 

200,261

    BP PLC    

1,618,482

   
 

44,576

    Royal Dutch Shell PLC,
Class A
   

1,596,632

   
 

48,292

   

Tullow Oil PLC

   

683,736

   
     

5,178,016

   
   

Pharmaceuticals

 
 

58,555

   

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

   

1,562,577

   
   

Professional Services

 
 

52,773

   

Experian PLC

   

973,518

   
   

Tobacco

 
 

25,444

    British American
Tobacco PLC
   

1,364,298

   
 

24,207

   

Imperial Tobacco Group PLC

   

937,201

   
     

2,301,499

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
    Wireless Telecommunication
Services
 
 

552,125

   

Vodafone Group PLC

 

$

2,166,871

   
       

Total United Kingdom

   

21,161,857

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $33,940,458)
   

54,408,255

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
         
    Short-Term Investments (4.4%)
Securities held as Collateral
on Loaned Securities (3.0%)
 
   

Investment Company (2.4%)

 
 

1,340

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio - Institutional
Class (See Note 6)
(Cost $1,340,079)
   

1,340,079

   
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

 

 
   

Repurchase Agreements (0.6%)

 

$

271

    Barclays Capital, Inc.
(0.01%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$271,475; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government
Obligation; 1.00% due
03/31/17; valued at
$276,905)
   

271,475

   
 

24

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
(0.01%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$23,607; fully collateralized
by a U.S. Government
Obligation; 3.63% due
02/15/21; valued at
$24,079)
   

23,606

   
        Total Repurchase
Agreements
(Cost $295,081)
   

295,081

   
        Total Securities held as
Collateral on Loaned
Securities
(Cost $1,635,160)
   

1,635,160

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
46



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - European Equity

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Investment Company (1.4%)

     
 

764

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 6)
(Cost $764,120)
 

$

764,120

   
    Total Short-Term
Investments
(Cost $2,399,280)
   

2,399,280

   
Total Investments
(Cost $36,339,738)
   

102.9

%

   

56,807,535

   
Liabilities in Excess of
Other Assets
   

(2.9

)

   

(1,586,517

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

55,221,018

   

  SDR  Swedish Depositary Receipt.

  (a)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2013.

  (b)  Non-income producing security.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
INDUSTRY
 

VALUE

  PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 

Commercial Banks

 

$

8,053,801

     

14.6

%

 

Pharmaceuticals

   

7,397,484

     

13.4

   
Oil, Gas & Consumable
Fuels
   

5,840,214

     

10.6

   

Insurance

   

5,235,715

     

9.5

   
Wireless Telecommunication
Services
   

2,975,979

     

5.4

   

Automobiles

   

2,882,195

     

5.2

   

Media

   

2,643,837

     

4.8

   

Food Products

   

2,388,807

     

4.3

   

Tobacco

   

2,301,499

     

4.2

   

Household Products

   

2,214,099

     

4.0

   

Aerospace & Defense

   

2,174,604

     

3.9

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

1,707,005

     

3.1

   
Information Technology
Services
   

1,190,022

     

2.2

   

Electrical Equipment

   

1,180,165

     

2.1

   

Metals & Mining

   

979,448

     

1.8

   

Professional Services

   

973,518

     

1.8

   
Hotels, Restaurants &
Leisure
   

968,880

     

1.7

   
Health Care Providers &
Services
   

922,397

     

1.7

   

Machinery

   

835,722

     

1.5

   

Multi-Utilities

   

785,851

     

1.4

   

Investment Company

   

764,120

     

1.4

   

Chemicals

   

757,013

     

1.4

   
   

$

55,172,375

*

   

100.0

%

 

*  Does not reflect the value of securities held as collateral on loaned securities.

See Notes to Financial Statements
47



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013

NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Common Stocks (95.1%)

 
   

Alternative Energy (0.9%)

 
 

31,794

   

Range Resources Corp.

 

$

2,680,552

   
   

Automobiles (1.8%)

 
 

35,901

   

Tesla Motors, Inc. (a)(b)

   

5,398,792

   
   

Beverage: Soft Drinks (0.9%)

 
 

33,816

    Green Mountain Coffee
Roasters, Inc. (a)(b)
   

2,555,813

   
   

Biotechnology (4.0%)

 
 

107,549

   

Illumina, Inc. (a)

   

11,897,070

   
   

Chemicals: Diversified (2.3%)

 
 

58,106

   

Monsanto Co.

   

6,772,254

   
   

Commercial Services (6.5%)

 
 

148,684

   

Advisory Board Co. (The) (a)

   

9,466,710

   
 

125,016

    Corporate Executive
Board Co. (The)
   

9,679,989

   
     

19,146,699

   
    Communications
Technology (2.8%)
 
 

124,439

   

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

   

8,399,633

   
    Computer Services,
Software & Systems (24.7%)
 
 

8,246

   

Baidu, Inc. ADR (China) (a)

   

1,466,798

   
 

424,786

   

Facebook, Inc., Class A (a)

   

23,218,803

   
 

20,149

   

Google, Inc., Class A (a)

   

22,581,186

   
 

26,608

   

LinkedIn Corp., Class A (a)

   

5,769,413

   
 

16,904

    Qihoo 360 Technology Co.,
Ltd. ADR (China) (a)
   

1,386,973

   
 

147,071

   

Salesforce.com, Inc. (a)

   

8,116,849

   
 

121,802

   

Twitter, Inc. (a)(b)

   

7,752,697

   
 

32,226

   

Workday, Inc., Class A (a)

   

2,679,914

   
     

72,972,633

   
   

Computer Technology (3.3%)

 
 

11,823

   

Apple, Inc.

   

6,634,004

   
 

71,815

    Yandex N.V., Class A
(Russia) (a)
   

3,098,817

   
     

9,732,821

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE

 
   

Consumer Lending (6.9%)

 
 

12,892

   

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

 

$

10,770,750

   
 

43,789

   

Visa, Inc., Class A

   

9,750,935

   
     

20,521,685

   
   

Diversified Media (1.5%)

 
 

43,310

    Naspers Ltd. N Shares
(South Africa)
   

4,525,090

   
   

Diversified Retail (13.9%)

 
 

58,408

   

Amazon.com, Inc. (a)

   

23,292,526

   
 

552,306

   

Groupon, Inc. (a)

   

6,500,642

   
 

9,764

   

Priceline.com, Inc. (a)

   

11,349,674

   
     

41,142,842

   
    Financial Data &
Systems (2.3%)
 
 

156,339

   

MSCI, Inc. (a)

   

6,835,141

   
   

Foods (1.7%)

 
 

99,596

    Fiesta Restaurant
Group, Inc. (a)
   

5,202,895

   
   

Health Care Services (3.7%)

 
 

80,752

   

athenahealth, Inc. (a)

   

10,861,144

   
    Insurance:
Property-Casualty (1.9%)
 
 

95,186

   

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (a)

   

5,681,652

   
   

Medical Equipment (2.8%)

 
 

21,570

   

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (a)

   

8,284,606

   
   

Pharmaceuticals (5.5%)

 
 

93,753

    Mead Johnson
Nutrition Co.
   

7,852,751

   
 

71,929

    Valeant Pharmaceuticals
International, Inc.
(Canada) (a)
   

8,444,465

   
     

16,297,216

   
    Recreational Vehicles &
Boats (2.5%)
 
 

219,471

   

Edenred (France)

   

7,345,863

   
   

Restaurants (2.2%)

 
 

84,094

   

Starbucks Corp.

   

6,592,129

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
48



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued


NUMBER OF
SHARES
 

 

VALUE
 
    Semiconductors &
Components (0.8%)
     
 

43,402

   

First Solar, Inc. (a)

 

$

2,371,485

   
    Textiles Apparel &
Shoes (2.2%)
     
 

34,023

   

Christian Dior SA (France)

   

6,428,724

   
        Total Common Stocks
(Cost $143,703,987)
   

281,646,739

   
NOTIONAL
AMOUNT
         
   

Call Options Purchased (0.1%)

     
   

Foreign Currency Options

     
 

3,207,286

    USD/CNY December 2014
@ CNY 6.50
   

5,273

   
 

39,918,529

    USD/CNY December 2014
@ CNY 6.50
   

66,944

   
 

45,129,097

    USD/CNY December 2014
@ CNY 6.50
   

76,674

   
        Total Call Options
Purchased
(Cost $277,851)
   

148,891

   
NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
         
    Short-Term Investments (9.4%)
Securities held as Collateral
on Loaned Securities (4.4%)
     
   

Investment Company (3.8%)

     
 

11,309

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 6)
(Cost $11,309,149)
   

11,309,149

   
PRINCIPAL
AMOUNT
(000)
 

 

VALUE
 
   

Repurchase Agreements (0.6%)

 

$

1,019

    BNP Paribas Securities Corp.
(0.01%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$1,018,635; fully
collateralized by various
U.S. Government
Obligations; 0.63% - 3.63%
due 08/15/16 - 02/15/21;
valued at $1,039,008)
 

$

1,018,634

   
 

728

    Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
(0.18%, dated 12/31/13,
due 01/02/14; proceeds
$727,603; fully
collateralized by various
Common Stocks and
Exchange Traded Funds;
valued at $786,237)
   

727,596

   
    Total Repurchase
Agreements
(Cost $1,746,230)
   

1,746,230

   
    Total Securities held as
Collateral on Loaned
Securities
(Cost $13,055,379)
   

13,055,379

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
49



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series - Multi Cap Growth

Portfolio of Investments n December 31, 2013 continued

NUMBER OF
SHARES (000)
 
 

VALUE
 
   

Investment Company (5.0%)

     
 

14,680

    Morgan Stanley Institutional
Liquidity Funds - Money
Market Portfolio -
Institutional Class
(See Note 6)
(Cost $14,679,670)
 

$

14,679,670

   
    Total Short-Term
Investments
(Cost $27,735,049)
   

27,735,049

   
Total Investments
(Cost $171,716,887)
   

104.6

%

   

309,530,679

   
Liabilities in Excess of
Other Assets
   

(4.6

)

   

(13,706,714

)

 

Net Assets

   

100.0

%

 

$

295,823,965

   

  ADR  American Depositary Receipt.

  (a)  Non-income producing security.

  (b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2013.

Currency Abbreviation:

  CNY  Chinese Yuan Renminbi.

  USD  United States Dollar.

SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS
INDUSTRY
 

VALUE

  PERCENT OF
TOTAL
INVESTMENTS
 
Computer Services,
Software & Systems
 

$

72,972,633

     

24.6

%

 

Diversified Retail

   

41,142,842

     

13.9

   

Consumer Lending

   

20,521,685

     

6.9

   

Commercial Services

   

19,146,699

     

6.5

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

16,297,216

     

5.5

   

Investment Company

   

14,679,670

     

4.9

   

Biotechnology

   

11,897,070

     

4.0

   

Health Care Services

   

10,861,144

     

3.7

   

Computer Technology

   

9,732,821

     

3.3

   
Communications
Technology
   

8,399,633

     

2.8

   

Medical Equipment

   

8,284,606

     

2.8

   
Recreational Vehicles &
Boats
   

7,345,863

     

2.5

   

Financial Data & Systems

   

6,835,141

     

2.3

   

Chemicals: Diversified

   

6,772,254

     

2.3

   

Restaurants

   

6,592,129

     

2.2

   

Textiles Apparel & Shoes

   

6,428,724

     

2.2

   
Insurance:
Property-Casualty
   

5,681,652

     

1.9

   

Automobiles

   

5,398,792

     

1.8

   

Foods

   

5,202,895

     

1.7

   

Diversified Media

   

4,525,090

     

1.5

   

Alternative Energy

   

2,680,552

     

0.9

   

Beverage: Soft Drinks

   

2,555,813

     

0.9

   
Semiconductors &
Components
   

2,371,485

     

0.8

   
Other    

148,891

     

0.1

   
   

$

296,475,300

*

   

100.0

%

 

*  Does not reflect the value of securities held as collateral on loaned securities.

See Notes to Financial Statements
50




(This page has been intentionally left blank.)



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements

Statements of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2013

    Money
Market
  Limited
Duration
  Income
Plus
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value*

 

$

73,464,904

(1)

 

$

40,198,999

   

$

149,541,806

   

Investment in affiliates, at value**

   

     

1,736,669

     

5,165,038

   

Total investments in securities, at value

   

73,464,904

     

41,935,668

     

154,706,844

   

Unrealized appreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

189,788

     

2,143,869

   

Cash

   

11,509

     

     

28,682

(3)

 

Receivable for:

 

Interest

   

7,568

     

239,825

     

1,738,820

   

Investments sold

   

     

     

   

Dividends

   

     

     

   

Premium paid on open swap agreements

   

     

31,223

     

114,948

   

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

266

     

1,399

     

220

   

Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed

   

     

     

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

14,296

     

48,379

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates

   

     

2,021

     

2,247

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

1,216

     

1,323

     

2,843

   

Total Assets

   

73,485,463

     

42,415,543

     

158,786,852

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

   

     

     

   

Unrealized depreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

26,739

     

97,842

   

Unrealized depreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

8,683

   

Due to broker

   

     

     

1,850,000

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

     

     

   

Premium received on open swap agreement

   

     

3,905

     

14,319

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

160,609

     

1,111

     

153,939

   

Advisory fee

   

     

11,011

     

57,315

   

Variation margin on open futures contracts

   

     

8,977

     

95,717

   

Distribution fee (Class Y)

   

     

7,241

     

18,015

   

Administration fee

   

1,480

     

2,973

     

10,980

   

Transfer agent fee

   

     

740

     

688

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

21,244

     

32,834

     

52,826

   

Total Liabilities

   

183,333

     

95,531

     

2,360,324

   

Net Assets

 

$

73,302,130

   

$

42,320,012

   

$

156,426,528

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

73,306,358

   

$

71,316,914

   

$

150,038,944

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

     

352,604

     

7,734,039

   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (net investment loss)    

(2,581

)

   

624,738

     

5,980,816

   
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)    

(1,647

)

   

(29,974,244

)

   

(7,327,271

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

73,302,130

   

$

42,320,012

   

$

156,426,528

   
* Cost  

$

73,464,904

   

$

39,969,743

   

$

143,965,237

   
** Affiliated Cost  

$

   

$

1,742,508

   

$

5,106,538

   

Class X Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

33,950,730

   

$

9,345,541

   

$

73,997,691

   

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

   

33,952,480

     

1,240,169

     

6,443,241

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

1.00

   

$

7.54

   

$

11.48

   

Class Y Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

39,351,400

   

$

32,974,471

   

$

82,428,837

   

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

   

39,353,884

     

4,386,527

     

7,200,601

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

1.00

   

$

7.52

   

$

11.45

   

(1)  Including repurchase agreements of $31,270,000.

(2)  Including securities loaned at value of $10,932,402, $1,626,958, and $16,068,987, respectively.

(3)  Including foreign currency valued at $14,382, $36,783 and $51,590, respectively with a cost of $14,228, $36,810 and $51,195, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements
52



    Global
Infrastructure
  European
Equity
  Multi Cap
Growth
 

Assets:

 

Investments in securities, at value*

 

$

69,413,857

(2)

 

$

54,703,336

(2)

 

$

283,541,860

(2)

 

Investment in affiliates, at value**

   

12,176,689

     

2,104,199

     

25,988,819

   

Total investments in securities, at value

   

81,590,546

     

56,807,535

     

309,530,679

   

Unrealized appreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Cash

   

340,323

(3)

   

126,071

(3)

   

398,993

   

Receivable for:

 

Interest

   

     

     

   

Investments sold

   

475,109

     

8,745

     

364,150

   

Dividends

   

248,471

     

58,032

     

70,452

   

Premium paid on open swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Shares of beneficial interest sold

   

81,800

     

     

   

Foreign withholding taxes reclaimed

   

27,857

     

49,432

     

   

Variation margin on open swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates

   

84

     

26

     

526

   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

   

1,710

     

1,320

     

4,159

   

Total Assets

   

82,765,900

     

57,051,161

     

310,368,959

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned, at value

   

10,235,644

     

1,709,641

     

13,454,372

   

Unrealized depreciation on open swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Unrealized depreciation on open foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

   

Due to broker

   

     

     

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

109,656

     

     

628,651

   

Premium received on open swap agreement

   

     

     

   

Shares of beneficial interest redeemed

   

92,550

     

66,626

     

212,911

   

Advisory fee

   

34,942

     

21,498

     

105,216

   

Variation margin on open futures contracts

   

     

     

   

Distribution fee (Class Y)

   

3,108

     

2,521

     

15,530

   

Administration fee

   

4,965

     

3,770

     

20,259

   

Transfer agent fee

   

724

     

331

     

737

   

Accrued expenses and other payables

   

27,271

     

25,756

     

107,318

   

Total Liabilities

   

10,508,860

     

1,830,143

     

14,544,994

   

Net Assets

 

$

72,257,040

   

$

55,221,018

   

$

295,823,965

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

 

$

44,189,477

   

$

45,846,389

   

$

123,845,369

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

18,930,236

     

20,472,148

     

137,813,792

   
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (net investment loss)    

1,430,471

     

1,185,519

     

(18,447

)

 
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)    

7,706,856

     

(12,283,038

)

   

34,183,251

   

Net Assets

 

$

72,257,040

   

$

55,221,018

   

$

295,823,965

   
* Cost  

$

50,487,211

   

$

34,235,539

   

$

145,728,068

   
** Affiliated Cost  

$

12,176,689

   

$

2,104,199

   

$

25,988,819

   

Class X Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

57,745,996

   

$

43,414,324

   

$

223,689,257

   

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

   

5,993,043

     

2,153,908

     

3,686,941

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.64

   

$

20.16

   

$

60.67

   

Class Y Shares:

 

Net Assets

 

$

14,511,044

   

$

11,806,694

   

$

72,134,708

   

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

   

1,511,979

     

587,765

     

1,203,022

   

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$

9.60

   

$

20.09

   

$

59.96

   


53



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2013

    Money
Market
  Limited
Duration
  Income
Plus
 

Net Investment Income:

 

Income

 

Interest

 

$

162,219

   

$

897,643

   

$

7,321,785

   

Dividends†

   

     

     

65,999

   

Income from securities loaned - net

   

     

     

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates (Note 6)

   

     

14,480

     

100,273

   

Total Income

   

162,219

     

912,123

     

7,488,057

   

†Net of foreign withholding taxes

   

     

     

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

374,263

     

135,845

     

707,856

   

Professional fees

   

88,231

     

86,050

     

89,206

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

41,585

     

36,225

     

134,830

   

Custodian fees

   

20,345

     

26,332

     

37,519

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

7,263

     

12,004

     

15,951

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

2,954

     

2,713

     

2,800

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

2,768

     

2,258

     

6,325

   

Distribution fee (Class Y shares) (Note 5)

   

110,960

     

88,758

     

222,307

   

Other

   

7,549

     

37,520

     

54,642

   

Total Expenses

   

655,918

     

427,705

     

1,271,436

   

Less: amounts waived

   

(502,024

)(4)

   

     

   

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 6)

   

     

(1,206

)

   

(4,359

)

 

Net Expenses

   

153,894

     

426,499

     

1,267,077

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

8,325

     

485,624

     

6,220,980

   

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on:

 

Investments

   

181

     

385,409

     

4,618,211

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

     

8,018

     

481,934

   

Futures contracts

   

     

(246,867

)

   

(2,020,692

)

 

Swap agreements

   

     

75,101

     

145,289

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

(26,693

)

 

Foreign currency translation

   

     

     

(1,043

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

181

     

221,661

     

3,197,006

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

     

(812,314

)

   

(9,932,720

)

 

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

     

(34,608

)

   

(565,027

)

 

Futures contracts

   

     

(69,318

)

   

(7,080

)

 

Swap agreements

   

     

240,643

     

2,479,264

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

(3,711

)

 

Foreign currency translation

   

     

     

100

   

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

     

(675,597

)

   

(8,029,174

)

 

Net Gain (Loss)

   

181

     

(453,936

)

   

(4,832,168

)

 

Net Increase

 

$

8,506

   

$

31,688

   

$

1,388,812

   

(4)  See Note 5.

(5)  See Note 4.

See Notes to Financial Statements
54



    Global
Infrastructure
  European
Equity
  Multi Cap
Growth
 

Net Investment Income:

 

Income

 

Interest

   

     

     

   

Dividends†

 

$

2,147,740

   

$

1,673,905

   

$

1,259,701

   

Income from securities loaned - net

   

34,588

     

71,265

     

7,109

   

Interest and dividends from affiliates (Note 6)

   

437

     

435

     

6,522

   

Total Income

   

2,182,765

     

1,745,605

     

1,273,332

   

†Net of foreign withholding taxes

   

128,366

     

153,215

     

78,806

   

Expenses

 

Advisory fee (Note 4)

   

412,463

     

457,842

     

1,045,896

   

Professional fees

   

90,760

     

80,262

     

98,128

   

Administration fee (Note 4)

   

57,889

     

42,100

     

199,218

   

Custodian fees

   

42,896

     

27,339

     

24,467

   

Shareholder reports and notices

   

23,858

     

11,505

     

17,639

   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

   

2,951

     

2,923

     

3,592

   

Trustees' fees and expenses

   

4,297

     

2,897

     

9,017

   

Distribution fee (Class Y shares) (Note 5)

   

35,857

     

29,267

     

148,842

   

Other

   

17,905

     

16,688

     

16,538

   

Total Expenses

   

688,876

     

670,823

     

1,563,337

   

Less: amounts waived

   

     

(115,301

)(5)

   

   

Less: rebate from Morgan Stanley affiliated cash sweep (Note 6)

   

(2,089

)

   

(637

)

   

(10,186

)

 

Net Expenses

   

686,787

     

554,885

     

1,553,151

   

Net Investment Income (Loss)

   

1,495,978

     

1,190,720

     

(279,819

)

 

Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on:

 

Investments

   

7,942,834

     

2,379,156

     

35,123,396

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

     

     

   

Futures contracts

   

     

     

   

Swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

   

Foreign currency translation

   

(685

)

   

(1,394

)

   

(87

)

 

Net Realized Gain

   

7,942,149

     

2,377,762

     

35,123,309

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

2,416,071

     

9,243,861

     

70,573,337

   

Investments in affiliates (Note 6)

   

     

     

   

Futures contracts

   

     

     

   

Swap agreements

   

     

     

   

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   

     

     

   

Foreign currency translation

   

1,500

     

5,351

     

(1,046

)

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

   

2,417,571

     

9,249,212

     

70,572,291

   

Net Gain (Loss)

   

10,359,720

     

11,626,974

     

105,695,600

   

Net Increase

 

$

11,855,698

   

$

12,817,694

   

$

105,415,781

   


55



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

   

Money Market

 

Limited Duration

 

Income Plus

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

 

$

8,325

   

$

8,026

   

$

485,624

   

$

712,005

   

$

6,220,980

   

$

7,687,080

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

181

     

15

     

221,661

     

211,183

     

3,197,006

     

9,574,013

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

     

     

(675,597

)

   

759,378

     

(8,029,174

)

   

7,799,600

   

Net Increase

   

8,506

     

8,041

     

31,688

     

1,682,566

     

1,388,812

     

25,060,693

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

 

Class X Shares

   

(3,879

)

   

(4,981

)

   

(250,020

)

   

(347,237

)

   

(3,915,814

)

   

(5,085,206

)

 

Class Y Shares

   

(4,439

)

   

(5,523

)

   

(817,023

)

   

(1,155,973

)

   

(4,145,124

)

   

(5,615,046

)

 

Net realized gain

 

Class X Shares

   

     

     

     

     

     

   

Class Y Shares

   

     

     

     

     

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(8,318

)

   

(10,504

)

   

(1,067,043

)

   

(1,503,210

)

   

(8,060,938

)

   

(10,700,252

)

 
Net decrease from transactions in shares of
beneficial interest
   

(17,530,755

)

   

(16,444,948

)

   

(6,008,408

)

   

(7,593,029

)

   

(21,246,050

)

   

(23,839,687

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

(17,530,567

)

   

(16,447,411

)

   

(7,043,763

)

   

(7,413,673

)

   

(27,918,176

)

   

(9,479,246

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

90,832,697

     

107,280,108

     

49,363,775

     

56,777,448

     

184,344,704

     

193,823,950

   

End of Period

 

$

73,302,130

   

$

90,832,697

   

$

42,320,012

   

$

49,363,775

   

$

156,426,528

   

$

184,344,704

   
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment
Income (Loss)
 

$

(2,581

)

 

$

(2,481

)

 

$

624,738

   

$

1,063,037

   

$

5,980,816

   

$

8,046,009

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
56



   

Global Infrastructure

 

European Equity

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

 

$

1,495,978

   

$

1,785,078

   

$

1,190,720

   

$

1,789,422

   

Net realized gain (loss)

   

7,942,149

     

5,970,445

     

2,377,762

     

(500,688

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

2,417,571

     

4,615,322

     

9,249,212

     

7,558,222

   

Net Increase

   

11,855,698

     

12,370,845

     

12,817,694

     

8,846,956

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

 

Class X Shares

   

(1,522,959

)

   

(1,393,488

)

   

(1,199,464

)

   

(1,129,845

)

 

Class Y Shares

   

(341,515

)

   

(317,994

)

   

(318,348

)

   

(291,780

)

 

Net realized gain

 

Class X Shares

   

(4,698,319

)

   

(5,078,266

)

   

     

   

Class Y Shares

   

(1,165,346

)

   

(1,294,994

)

   

     

   

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(7,728,139

)

   

(8,084,742

)

   

(1,517,812

)

   

(1,421,625

)

 
Net decrease from transactions in shares of
beneficial interest
   

(4,003,822

)

   

(5,623,624

)

   

(7,992,151

)

   

(8,361,702

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

123,737

     

(1,337,521

)

   

3,307,731

     

(936,371

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

72,133,303

     

73,470,824

     

51,913,287

     

52,849,658

   

End of Period

 

$

72,257,040

   

$

72,133,303

   

$

55,221,018

   

$

51,913,287

   
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment
Income (Loss)
 

$

1,430,471

   

$

1,799,716

   

$

1,185,519

   

$

1,514,061

   


57



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets continued

   

Multi Cap Growth

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

(279,819

)

 

$

955,324

   

Net realized gain

   

35,123,309

     

3,755,676

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   

70,572,291

     

22,331,393

   

Net Increase

   

105,415,781

     

27,042,393

   

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from:

 

Net investment income

 

Class X Shares

   

(803,872

)

   

   

Class Y Shares

   

(149,244

)

   

   

Net realized gain

 

Class X Shares

   

(2,596,410

)

   

(3,819,990

)

 

Class Y Shares

   

(880,535

)

   

(1,066,481

)

 

Total Dividends and Distributions

   

(4,430,061

)

   

(4,886,471

)

 

Net decrease from transactions in shares of beneficial interest

   

(15,635,322

)

   

(34,644,616

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)

   

85,350,398

     

(12,488,694

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

210,473,567

     

222,962,261

   

End of Period

 

$

295,823,965

   

$

210,473,567

   

Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss)

 

$

(18,447

)

 

$

769,489

   

See Notes to Financial Statements
58



(This page has been intentionally left blank.)



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets continued
Summary of Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Money Market

 

Limited Duration

 

Income Plus

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Class X Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

7,380,723

     

8,138,796

     

43,669

     

39,757

     

64,030

     

158,115

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,879

     

4,981

     

33,469

     

45,689

     

353,732

     

454,849

   

Redeemed

   

(15,701,483

)

   

(17,306,444

)

   

(214,752

)

   

(357,172

)

   

(1,222,438

)

   

(1,526,605

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

   

(8,316,881

)

   

(9,162,667

)

   

(137,614

)

   

(271,726

)

   

(804,676

)

   

(913,641

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

7,380,723

   

$

8,138,796

   

$

332,159

   

$

308,431

   

$

746,626

   

$

1,835,747

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,879

     

4,981

     

250,020

     

347,237

     

3,915,814

     

5,085,206

   

Redeemed

   

(15,701,483

)

   

(17,306,444

)

   

(1,641,542

)

   

(2,761,250

)

   

(14,284,563

)

   

(17,784,137

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

 

$

(8,316,881

)

 

$

(9,162,667

)

 

$

(1,059,363

)

 

$

(2,105,582

)

 

$

(9,622,123

)

 

$

(10,863,184

)

 

Class Y Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

14,392,152

     

10,141,795

     

140,151

     

152,869

     

285,191

     

188,882

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

4,439

     

5,523

     

109,521

     

152,302

     

375,124

     

503,592

   

Redeemed

   

(23,610,465

)

   

(17,429,599

)

   

(899,133

)

   

(1,016,517

)

   

(1,640,218

)

   

(1,792,003

)

 

Net Decrease - Class Y

   

(9,213,874

)

   

(7,282,281

)

   

(649,461

)

   

(711,346

)

   

(979,903

)

   

(1,099,529

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

14,392,152

   

$

10,141,795

   

$

1,069,903

   

$

1,184,321

   

$

3,272,780

   

$

2,189,967

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

4,439

     

5,523

     

817,023

     

1,155,973

     

4,145,124

     

5,615,046

   

Redeemed

   

(23,610,465

)

   

(17,429,599

)

   

(6,835,971

)

   

(7,827,741

)

   

(19,041,831

)

   

(20,781,516

)

 

Net Decrease - Class Y

 

$

(9,213,874

)

 

$

(7,282,281

)

 

$

(4,949,045

)

 

$

(5,487,447

)

 

$

(11,623,927

)

 

$

(12,976,503

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
60



   

Global Infrastructure

 

European Equity

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Class X Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

84,019

     

30,394

     

29,245

     

13,569

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

723,404

     

780,670

     

72,916

     

79,622

   

Redeemed

   

(1,084,608

)

   

(1,303,365

)

   

(408,264

)

   

(536,124

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

   

(277,185

)

   

(492,301

)

   

(306,103

)

   

(442,933

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

803,958

   

$

269,633

   

$

532,041

   

$

209,416

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

6,221,278

     

6,471,754

     

1,199,464

     

1,129,845

   

Redeemed

   

(10,220,254

)

   

(11,564,117

)

   

(7,259,851

)

   

(8,130,383

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

 

$

(3,195,018

)

 

$

(4,822,730

)

 

$

(5,528,346

)

 

$

(6,791,122

)

 

Class Y Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

38,713

     

46,975

     

5,705

     

1,462

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

175,830

     

195,041

     

19,400

     

20,606

   

Redeemed

   

(286,683

)

   

(322,481

)

   

(161,337

)

   

(124,257

)

 

Net Decrease - Class Y

   

(72,140

)

   

(80,465

)

   

(136,232

)

   

(102,189

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

367,372

   

$

415,592

   

$

99,702

   

$

21,281

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,506,861

     

1,612,988

     

318,348

     

291,780

   

Redeemed

   

(2,683,037

)

   

(2,829,474

)

   

(2,881,855

)

   

(1,883,641

)

 

Net Decrease - Class Y

 

$

(808,804

)

 

$

(800,894

)

 

$

(2,463,805

)

 

$

(1,570,580

)

 


61



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Statements continued

Statements of Changes in Net Assets continued
Summary of Transactions in Shares of Beneficial Interest

   

Multi Cap Growth

 
    For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2013
  For The Year
Ended
December 31, 2012
 

Class X Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

22,511

     

15,963

   

Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

249,276

     

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

75,161

     

95,285

   

Redeemed

   

(681,103

)

   

(734,540

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

   

(334,155

)

   

(623,292

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

1,091,891

   

$

651,185

   

Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

10,973,148

     

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

3,400,282

     

3,819,990

   

Redeemed

   

(33,184,994

)

   

(30,117,363

)

 

Net Decrease - Class X

 

$

(17,719,673

)

 

$

(25,646,188

)

 

Class Y Shares

 

Shares

 

Sold

   

2,273

     

20,602

   

Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

360,951

     

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

23,002

     

26,864

   

Redeemed

   

(306,356

)

   

(266,996

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

   

79,870

     

(219,530

)

 

Amount

 

Sold

 

$

119,830

   

$

812,587

   

Issued due to a tax-free reorganization

   

15,701,356

     

   

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

   

1,029,779

     

1,066,481

   

Redeemed

   

(14,766,614

)

   

(10,877,496

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) - Class Y

 

$

2,084,351

   

$

(8,998,428

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
62




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013

1. Organization and Accounting Policies

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series (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 is offered exclusively to life insurance companies in connection with particular life insurance and/or annuity contracts they offer.

The Fund, organized on February 25, 1983 as a Massachusetts business trust, consists of six Portfolios ("Portfolios") which commenced operations as follows:

PORTFOLIO

  COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
 

PORTFOLIO

  COMMENCEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
 

Money Market

 

March 9, 1984

 

Global Infrastructure

 

March 1, 1990

 

Limited Duration

 

May 4, 1999

 

European Equity

 

March 1, 1991

 

Income Plus

 

March 1, 1987

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

March 9, 1984

 

On June 5, 2000, the Fund commenced offering one additional class of shares (Class Y shares). The two classes are identical except that Class Y shares incur distribution expenses. Class X shares are generally available to holders of contracts offered before May 1, 2000. Class Y shares are available to holders of contracts offered on or after June 5, 2000.

The investment objectives of each Portfolio are as follows:

PORTFOLIO  

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 
Money Market  

Seeks high current income, preservation of capital and liquidity.

 
Limited Duration  

Seeks to provide a high level of current income, consistent with the preservation of capital.

 
Income Plus  

Seeks, as its primary objective, to provide a high level of current income and, as a secondary objective, capital appreciation, but only when consistent with its primary objective.

 
Global Infrastructure  

Seeks both capital appreciation and current income.

 
European Equity  

Seeks to maximize the capital appreciation of its investments.

 
Multi Cap Growth  

Seeks, as its primary objective, growth of capital and, as a secondary objective, income, but only when consistent with its primary objective.

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies:

A. Valuation of Investments — Money Market: Portfolio securities are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Act. The amortized cost of an instrument is determined by valuing it at its original cost and thereafter amortizing any discount or premium from its face


63



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

value at a constant rate until maturity. All remaining Portfolios: (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), if there were no sales on a given day, the security is valued at the mean between the last reported bid and asked prices; (2) all other equity portfolio securities for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available are valued at its latest reported sales price. In cases where a security is traded on more than one exchange, the security is valued on the exchange designated as the primary market; (3) 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 New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"); (4) futures are valued at the latest price published by the commodities exchange on which they trade; (5) swaps are marked-to-market daily based upon quotations from market makers; (6) 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 asked prices. Unlisted options are valued by an outside pricing service approved by Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees") or quotes from a broker or dealer; (7) when market quotations are not readily available, including circumstances under which Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. (the "Adviser") or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited or Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company (each, a "Sub-Adviser"), each 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 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 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; (8) certain portfolio securities may be valued by an outside pricing service approved by the Trustees. The pricing service may utilize a matrix system or other model incorporating attributes such as security quality, maturity and coupon as the evaluation model parameters, and/or research evaluations by its staff, including review of broker-dealer market price quotations in determining what it believes is the fair valuation of the portfolio securities valued by such pricing service; (9) investments in mutual funds, including the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds, are valued at the net asset value as of the close


64



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

of each business day; and (10) short-term debt securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less at the time of purchase may be valued at amortized cost, unless the Adviser determines such valuation does not reflect the securities' market value, in which case these securities will be valued at their fair market value determined by the Adviser.

Under procedures approved by the Trustees, the Fund's Adviser has formed a Valuation Committee. 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.

The Fund has procedures to determine the fair value of securities and other financial instruments for which market prices are not readily available. Under these procedures, the Valuation Committee convenes on a regular and ad hoc basis to review such securities and considers a number of factors, including valuation methodologies and significant unobservable valuation inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Valuation Committee may employ a market-based approach which may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values, and other relevant information for the investment to determine the fair value of the investment. An income-based valuation approach may also be used in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for calibrating these valuation approaches including a regular review of valuation methodologies, key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis, and reviews of any related market activity.

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 except for certain dividends on foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the Fund is informed after the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued daily as earned except where collection is not expected. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized over the life of the respective securities and are included in interest income.


65



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

C. Repurchase Agreements — The Fund invests directly with institutions in repurchase agreements. The Fund's custodian receives the collateral, which is marked-to-market daily to determine that the value of the collateral does not decrease below the repurchase price plus accrued interest as earned. If such a decrease occurs, additional collateral will be requested and, when received, will be added to the account to maintain full collateralization.

The following table presents financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2013.

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

  GROSS ASSET AMOUNT
PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENT
  COLLATERAL
RECEIVED
  NET AMOUNT
(NOT LESS THAN 0)
 

Money Market

 

$

31,270,000

     

   

$

(31,270,000

)(1)

 

$

0

   

(1)  The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

D. Multiple Class Allocations — Investment income, expenses (other than distribution fees), and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative net asset value on the date such items are recognized. Distribution fees are charged directly to the respective class.

E. 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 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.


66



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

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. Net unrealized currency gains (losses) from valuing foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates are reflected as a component of unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The change in unrealized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency translations for the period is reflected in the Statements of Operations.

F. Securities Lending — Certain Portfolios 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 Portfolio. The Portfolio 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 high-quality short-term investments. 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.

A Portfolio has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The following table presents financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2013.

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

  GROSS ASSET AMOUNT
PRESENTED IN STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENT
  COLLATERAL
RECEIVED
  NET AMOUNT
(NOT LESS THAN 0)
 

Global Infrastructure

 

$

10,932,402

(1)

 

$

   

$

(10,932,402

)(2)(3)

 

$

0

   

European Equity

   

1,626,958

(1)

   

     

(1,626,958

)(3)(4)

   

0

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

16,068,987

(1)

   

     

(16,058,204

)(5)(6)

   

10,783

   

(1)  Represents market value of loaned securities at period end.


67



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

(2)  The Portfolio received cash collateral of $10,235,644, of which $9,932,104 was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. As of December 31, 2013 there was uninvested cash of $303,540, which is not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Portfolio received non-cash collateral of $1,213,296 in the form of U.S. government obligations, which the Portfolio cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(3)  The actual collateral received is greater than the amount shown here due to overcollateralization.

(4)  The Portfolio received cash collateral of $1,709,641, of which $1,635,160 was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. As of December 31, 2013 there was uninvested cash of $74,481, which is not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(5)  The Portfolio received cash collateral of $13,454,372, of which $13,055,379 was subsequently invested in Repurchase Agreements and Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. As of December 31, 2013 there was uninvested cash of $398,993, which is not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments. In addition, the Portfolio received non-cash collateral of $2,603,832 in the form of U.S. government obligations, which the Portfolio cannot sell or repledge, and accordingly are not reflected in the Portfolio of Investments.

(6)  The collateral received was marked to market on a daily basis. The Portfolio's collateral coverage was below 100% at December 31, 2013. This was adjusted on the next business day.

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 annually (except for Money Market which declares and pays daily). Net realized capital gains, if any, are distributed at least annually.

H. Expenses — Direct expenses are charged to the respective Portfolio and general Fund expenses are allocated on the basis of relative net assets or equally among the Portfolios.

I. 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.

J. 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 Codification ("ASC") 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("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


68



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

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

•  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 each Portfolio's investments as of December 31, 2013.

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Total

 

Money Market

 

Assets:

 

Repurchase Agreements

 

$

   

$

31,270,000

   

$

   

$

31,270,000

   

Commercial Paper

   

     

15,895,381

     

     

15,895,381

   

Certificates of Deposit

   

     

7,500,000

     

     

7,500,000

   

Extendible Floating Rate Notes

   

     

7,299,945

     

     

7,299,945

   

Floating Rate Notes

   

     

6,499,967

     

     

6,499,967

   


69



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Total

 

Tax-Exempt Instruments —

 
Weekly Variable Rate Bond   $

    $

3,000,000

    $

    $

3,000,000

   

U.S. Agency Security

   

     

1,999,611

     

     

1,999,611

   

Total Assets

 

$

   

$

73,464,904

   

$

   

$

73,464,904

   

Limited Duration

 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

   

$

26,713,514

   

$

   

$

26,713,514

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

     

5,711,428

     

     

5,711,428

   

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

     

3,954,110

     

     

3,954,110

   

Agency Adjustable Rate Mortgages

   

     

2,061,987

     

     

2,061,987

   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations —
Agency Collateral Series
   

     

1,039,813

     

     

1,039,813

   

Sovereign

   

     

442,777

     

     

442,777

   

Agency Fixed Rate Mortgages

   

     

229,788

     

     

229,788

   

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

   

     

198,318

     

     

198,318

   

Total Fixed Income Securities

   

     

40,351,735

     

     

40,351,735

   

Short-Term Investments

 

U.S. Treasury Security

   

     

114,989

     

     

114,989

   

Investment Company

   

1,468,944

     

     

     

1,468,944

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

1,468,944

     

114,989

     

     

1,583,933

   

Futures Contracts

   

34,547

     

     

     

34,547

   

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

12,482

     

     

12,482

   

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

   

     

240,128

     

     

240,128

   

Total Assets

   

1,503,491

     

40,719,334

     

     

42,222,825

   

Liabilities:

 

Futures Contracts

   

(114,735

)

   

     

     

(114,735

)

 

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

(26,739

)

   

     

(26,739

)

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

   

     

(16,496

)

   

     

(16,496

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(114,735

)

   

(43,235

)

   

     

(157,970

)

 

Total

 

$

1,388,756

   

$

40,676,099

   

$

   

$

42,064,855

   


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Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Total

 

Income Plus

 

Assets:

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

Corporate Bonds

 

$

   

$

147,190,871

   

$

   

$

147,190,871

   

Asset-Backed Securities

   

     

1,190,174

     

     

1,190,174

   

Sovereign

   

     

363,869

     

     

363,869

   

Total Fixed Income Securities

   

     

148,744,914

     

     

148,744,914

   

Convertible Preferred Stocks

   

558,482

     

     

     

558,482

   

Short-Term Investments

 

U.S. Treasury Securities

   

     

929,910

     

     

929,910

   

Investment Company

   

4,473,538

     

     

     

4,473,538

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

4,473,538

     

929,910

     

     

5,403,448

   

Futures Contracts

   

316,758

     

     

     

316,758

   

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

40,894

     

     

40,894

   

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

   

     

2,312,328

     

     

2,312,328

   

Total Assets

   

5,348,778

     

152,028,046

     

     

157,376,824

   

Liabilities:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contract

   

     

(8,683

)

   

     

(8,683

)

 

Futures Contracts

   

(403,541

)

   

     

     

(403,541

)

 

Credit Default Swap Agreements

   

     

(97,842

)

   

     

(97,842

)

 

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

   

     

(61,104

)

   

     

(61,104

)

 

Total Liabilities

   

(403,541

)

   

(167,629

)

   

     

(571,170

)

 

Total

 

$

4,945,237

   

$

151,860,417

   

$

   

$

156,805,654

   

Global Infrastructure

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Airports

 

$

3,285,234

   

$

   

$

   

$

3,285,234

   

Communications

   

10,571,552

     

     

     

10,571,552

   

Diversified

   

3,188,989

     

     

     

3,188,989

   

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

   

32,177,461

     

     

     

32,177,461

   

Ports

   

475,516

     

     

     

475,516

   

Toll Roads

   

4,182,108

     

     

     

4,182,108

   

Transmission & Distribution

   

10,137,146

     

     

     

10,137,146

   

Water

   

4,067,376

     

     

     

4,067,376

   

Total Common Stocks

   

68,085,382

     

     

     

68,085,382

   


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Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Total

 

Short-Term Investments

 
Investment Company   $

12,176,689

    $

    $

    $

12,176,689

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

1,328,475

     

     

1,328,475

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

12,176,689

     

1,328,475

     

     

13,505,164

   

Total Assets

 

$

80,262,071

   

$

1,328,475

   

$

   

$

81,590,546

   

European Equity

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense

 

$

2,174,604

   

$

   

$

   

$

2,174,604

   

Automobiles

   

2,882,195

     

     

     

2,882,195

   

Chemicals

   

757,013

     

     

     

757,013

   

Commercial Banks

   

8,053,801

     

     

     

8,053,801

   

Electrical Equipment

   

1,180,165

     

     

     

1,180,165

   

Food Products

   

2,388,807

     

     

     

2,388,807

   

Health Care Providers & Services

   

922,397

     

     

     

922,397

   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

   

968,880

     

     

     

968,880

   

Household Products

   

2,214,099

     

     

     

2,214,099

   

Industrial Conglomerates

   

1,707,005

     

     

     

1,707,005

   

Information Technology Services

   

1,190,022

     

     

     

1,190,022

   

Insurance

   

5,235,715

     

     

     

5,235,715

   

Machinery

   

835,722

     

     

     

835,722

   

Media

   

2,643,837

     

     

     

2,643,837

   

Metals & Mining

   

979,448

     

     

     

979,448

   

Multi-Utilities

   

785,851

     

     

     

785,851

   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

   

5,840,214

     

     

     

5,840,214

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

7,397,484

     

     

     

7,397,484

   

Professional Services

   

973,518

     

     

     

973,518

   

Tobacco

   

2,301,499

     

     

     

2,301,499

   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

   

2,975,979

     

     

     

2,975,979

   

Total Common Stocks

   

54,408,255

     

     

     

54,408,255

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

2,104,199

     

     

     

2,104,199

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

295,081

     

     

295,081

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

2,104,199

     

295,081

     

     

2,399,280

   

Total Assets

 

$

56,512,454

   

$

295,081

   

$

   

$

56,807,535

   


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Investment Type

  Level 1
Unadjusted
Quoted Prices
  Level 2
Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
  Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
 

Total

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

Assets:

 

Common Stocks

 

Alternative Energy

 

$

2,680,552

   

$

   

$

   

$

2,680,552

   

Automobiles

   

5,398,792

     

     

     

5,398,792

   

Beverage: Soft Drinks

   

2,555,813

     

     

     

2,555,813

   

Biotechnology

   

11,897,070

     

     

     

11,897,070

   

Chemicals: Diversified

   

6,772,254

     

     

     

6,772,254

   

Commercial Services

   

19,146,699

     

     

     

19,146,699

   

Communications Technology

   

8,399,633

     

     

     

8,399,633

   

Computer Services, Software & Systems

   

72,972,633

     

     

     

72,972,633

   

Computer Technology

   

9,732,821

     

     

     

9,732,821

   

Consumer Lending

   

20,521,685

     

     

     

20,521,685

   

Diversified Media

   

4,525,090

     

     

     

4,525,090

   

Diversified Retail

   

41,142,842

     

     

     

41,142,842

   

Financial Data & Systems

   

6,835,141

     

     

     

6,835,141

   

Foods

   

5,202,895

     

     

     

5,202,895

   

Health Care Services

   

10,861,144

     

     

     

10,861,144

   

Insurance: Property-Casualty

   

5,681,652

     

     

     

5,681,652

   

Medical Equipment

   

8,284,606

     

     

     

8,284,606

   

Pharmaceuticals

   

16,297,216

     

     

     

16,297,216

   

Recreational Vehicles & Boats

   

7,345,863

     

     

     

7,345,863

   

Restaurants

   

6,592,129

     

     

     

6,592,129

   

Semiconductors & Components

   

2,371,485

     

     

     

2,371,485

   

Textiles Apparel & Shoes

   

6,428,724

     

     

     

6,428,724

   

Total Common Stocks

   

281,646,739

     

     

     

281,646,739

   

Call Options Purchased

   

     

148,891

     

     

148,891

   

Short-Term Investments

 

Investment Company

   

25,988,819

     

     

     

25,988,819

   

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

1,746,230

     

     

1,746,230

   

Total Short-Term Investments

   

25,988,819

     

1,746,230

     

     

27,735,049

   

Total Assets

 

$

307,635,558

   

$

1,895,121

   

$

   

$

309,530,679

   

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


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period. As of December 31, 2012, the fair value of certain securities were adjusted due to developments which occurred between the time of the close of the foreign markets on which they trade and the close of business on the NYSE which resulted in their Level 2 classification. As of December 31, 2013, securities transferred from Level 2 to Level 1. The values of the transfers were as follows:

GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCUTRE
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

23,158,003

   

$

49,196,436

   

$

7,345,863

   

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

   

Multi Cap Growth

 
    Convertible
Preferred Stocks
 

Beginning Balance

 

$

1,612,263

   

Purchases

   

177,270

   

Sales

   

   

Amortization of discount

   

   

Transfers in

   

   

Transfers out

   

   

Corporate action

   

(374,409

)

 

Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

   

227,961

   

Realized gains (losses)

   

(1,643,085

)

 

Ending Balance

 

$

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation from
investments still held as of December 31, 2013
 

$

   

3. Derivatives

Certain Portfolios may, but are 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 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 they relate, and


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risks that the transactions may not be liquid. 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 a Portfolio'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 Portfolios 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 Portfolios to be more volatile than if the Portfolios had not been leveraged. Although the Adviser and/or Sub-Advisers seek to use derivatives to further the Portfolio'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 Portfolios used during the period and their associated risks:

Options In respect to options, certain Portfolios are subject to equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. If a Portfolio buys an option, it buys a legal contract giving it the right to buy or sell a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument such as a security, currency or index, at an agreed upon price typically in exchange for a premium paid by a Portfolio. A Portfolio may purchase put and call options. Purchasing call options tends to increase a Portfolio's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. Purchasing put options tends to decrease a Portfolio's exposure to the underlying (or similar) instrument. When entering into purchased option contracts, a Portfolio bears the risk of interest or exchange rates or securities prices moving unexpectedly, in which case, a Portfolio 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" on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Premium paid for purchasing options which expired are treated as realized losses. If a Portfolio sells an option, it sells to another party the right to buy from or sell to a Portfolio a specific amount of the underlying instrument or futures contract on the underlying instrument at an agreed upon price typically in exchange for a premium received by a Portfolio. There is the risk a Portfolio may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid market. A decision as to whether, when and how to use


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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.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts In connection with its investments in foreign securities, certain Portfolios entered into contracts with banks, brokers or dealers to purchase or sell securities or foreign currencies at a future date. A foreign currency forward exchange contract ("currency contract") is a negotiated agreement between the contracting parties to exchange a specified amount of currency at a specified future time at a specified rate. The rate can be higher or lower than the spot rate between the currencies that are the subject of the contract. Currency contracts may be used to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates or to gain or modify exposure to a particular currency. In addition, certain Portfolios may use cross currency hedging or proxy hedging with respect to currencies in which a Portfolio has or expects to have portfolio or currency exposure. Cross currency hedges involve the sale of one currency against the positive exposure to a different currency and may be used for hedging purposes or to establish an active exposure to the exchange rate between any two currencies. There is additional risk that such transactions reduce or preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the currency should move in the direction opposite to the position taken and that currency contracts create exposure to currencies in which a Portfolio's securities are not denominated. Unanticipated changes in currency prices may result in poorer overall performance for a Portfolio than if it had not entered into such currency contracts. The use of currency contracts involves the risk of loss from the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty to the contract or the failure of the counterparty to make payments or otherwise comply with the term of the contract. A currency contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by a Portfolio as unrealized gain or loss. A Portfolio records realized gains (losses) when the currency contract is closed equal to the difference between the value of the currency contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

Futures A futures contract is a standardized, exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, reference rate or index at a specific price at a specific future time. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying instrument. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled through either physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date. During the period the futures contract is open, payments are received from or made to the broker based upon changes in the value of the contract (the variation margin). A decision as to whether, when and how to use futures contracts involves the exercise of skill and judgment and even a well-conceived


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futures transaction may be unsuccessful because of market behavior or unexpected events. In addition to the derivatives risks discussed above, the prices of futures contracts can be highly volatile, using futures contracts can lower total return, and the potential loss from futures contracts can exceed a Portfolio's initial investment in such contracts. No assurance can be given that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. There is also the risk of loss by a Portfolio of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Portfolio has open positions in the futures contract.

Swaps A Portfolio may enter into over-the-counter ("OTC") swap contracts or centrally cleared swap transactions. A swap contract is an agreement between two parties pursuant to which the parties exchange payments at specified dates on the basis of a specified notional amount, with the payments calculated by reference to specified securities, indices, reference rates, currencies or other instruments. Typically swap agreements provide that when the period payment dates for both parties are the same, the payments are made on a net basis (i.e., the two payment streams are netted out, with only the net amount paid by one party to the other). A Portfolio's obligations or rights under a swap contract entered into on a net basis will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each party. Centrally cleared swap transactions help reduce counterparty credit risk. In a centrally cleared swap, a Portfolio's ultimate counterparty is a clearing house rather than a bank, dealer or other financial institution. OTC swap agreements are not entered into or traded on exchanges and often there is no central clearing or guaranty function for OTC swaps. These OTC swaps are often subject to credit risk or the risk of default or non-performance by the counterparty. Both OTC and centrally cleared swaps could result in losses if interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or credit quality changes are not correctly anticipated by a Portfolio or if the reference index, security or investments do not perform as expected.

A Portfolio enters into credit default, interest rate and other forms of swap agreements to manage exposure to credit and interest rate risks.

A Portfolio's use of swaps during the period included those based on the credit of an underlying security commonly referred to as credit default swaps. A Portfolio may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap. As the buyer in a credit default swap, a Portfolio would pay to the counterparty the periodic stream of payments. If no default occurs, a Portfolio would receive no benefit from the contract. As the seller in a credit default swap, a Portfolio would receive the stream of payments but would be subject to exposure on the notional amount of the swap, which it would be required to pay in the event of default. The use of credit default swaps could result in losses to a Portfolio if the Adviser fails to correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer of the referenced debt obligation. During the period these swap agreements are open, payments


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are received from or made to the clearing-house or counterparty based upon changes in the value of the contract (variation margin). The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and related regulatory developments require the clearing and exchange-trading of certain OTC swap agreements. Mandatory exchange-trading and clearing is occurring on a phased-in basis.

The current credit rating of each individual issuer is listed in the table following the Portfolio of Investments and serves as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk of the credit derivative. Alternatively, for credit default swaps on an index of credits, the quoted market prices and current values serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk of the credit derivative. Generally, lower credit ratings and increasing market values, in absolute terms, represent a deterioration of the credit and a greater likelihood of an adverse credit event of the issuer.

When a Portfolio has an unrealized loss on a swap agreement, the Portfolio has instructed the custodian to pledge cash or liquid securities as collateral with a value approximately equal to the amount of the unrealized loss. Collateral pledges are monitored and subsequently adjusted if and when the swap valuations fluctuate. If applicable, cash collateral is included with "Due from (to) Broker" in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Upfront payments received or paid by a Portfolio will be reflected as an asset or liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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


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The following table sets forth the fair value of each Portfolio's derivative contracts by primary risk exposure as of December 31, 2013.

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
  ASSET DERIVATIVES
STATEMENT OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

  LIABILITY DERIVATIVES
STATEMENT OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES LOCATION
 

FAIR VALUE

 
Limited Duration
  
  Interest Rate
Risk
  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

34,547

  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

(114,735

)†

 
        Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

61,927

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

(16,496

)†

 
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreements
   

178,201

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

   
   

Credit Risk

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

895

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

   
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreements
   

11,587

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

(26,739

)

 
           

$

287,157

       

$

(157,970

)

 
Income Plus
  
  Interest Rate
Risk
  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

316,758

  Variation margin on
open futures contracts
 

$

(403,541

)†

 
        Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

206,072

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

(61,104

)†

 
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreements
   

2,106,256

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

   
   

Credit Risk

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

3,281

  Variation margin on
open swap agreements
   

   
        Unrealized appreciation
on open swap agreements
   

37,613

    Unrealized depreciation
on open swap agreements
   

(97,842

)

 
    Foreign
Currency Risk
  Unrealized appreciation
on open foreign currency
forward exchange
contracts
   

    Unrealized depreciation
on open foreign currency
forward exchange
contracts
   

(8,683

)

 
           

$

2,669,980

       

$

(571,170

)

 
Multi Cap Growth
  
  Foreign
Currency Risk
  Investments, at Value
(Options Purchased)
 

$

148,891

    Investments, at Value
(Options Purchased)
 

$

   

  Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation as reported in the Portfolio of Investments. Only current day's net variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.


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The following tables set forth by primary risk exposure of each Portfolio's realized gains (losses) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) by type of derivative contract for the year ended December 31, 2013 in accordance with ASC 815.

AMOUNT OF REALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
 

FUTURES

  OPTIONS
PURCHASED††
  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
FORWARD
EXCHANGE
 

SWAPS

 

Limited Duration

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

(246,867

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

92,832

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(17,731

)

 
   

Total

 

$

(246,867

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

75,101

   

Income Plus

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

(2,020,692

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

155,575

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(10,286

)

 
   

Foreign Currency Risk

   

     

     

(26,693

)

   

   
   

Total

 

$

(2,020,692

)

 

$

   

$

(26,693

)

 

$

145,289

   

CHANGE IN UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS

PORTFOLIO

  PRIMARY RISK
EXPOSURE
 

FUTURES

  OPTIONS
PURCHASED††
  FOREIGN
CURRENCY
FORWARD
EXCHANGE
 

SWAPS

 

Limited Duration

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

(69,318

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

254,900

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(14,257

)

 
   

Total

 

$

(69,318

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

240,643

   

Income Plus

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

$

(7,080

)

 

$

   

$

   

$

2,602,559

   
   

Credit Risk

   

     

     

     

(123,295

)

 
   

Foreign Currency Risk

   

     

     

(3,711

)

   

   
   

Total

 

$

(7,080

)

 

$

   

$

(3,711

)

 

$

2,479,264

   

Multi Cap Growth

 

Foreign Currency Risk

 

$

   

$

(128,960

)

 

$

   

$

   

††  Amounts are included in Investments in the Statements of Operations.


80



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

At December 31, 2013, each Portfolio's derivative assets and liabilities, are as follows:

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

PORTFOLIO

 

DERIVATIVES(a)

 

ASSETS(b)

 

LIABILITIES(b)

 

Limited Duration

 

Swap Agreements

 

$

189,788

   

$

(26,739

)

 

Income Plus

  Foreign Currency
Forward Exchange Contracts
 

$

   

$

(8,683

)

 
   

Swap Agreements

   

2,143,869

     

(97,842

)

 
   

Total

 

$

2,143,869

   

$

(106,525

)

 

Multi Cap Growth

 

Options Purchased

 

$

148,891

   

$

   

(a)  Excludes exchange traded derivatives.

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

The following tables present derivatives financial instruments that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements as of December 31, 2013.

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

 

COUNTERPARTY

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

Limited Duration

 

Bank of America

 

$

40,901

   

$

   

$

   

$

40,901

   

  

 

Barclays Bank

   

2,788

     

(2,788

)

   

     

0

   
   

Goldman Sachs

   

67,269

     

     

     

67,269

   
   

JPMorgan Chase

   

8,799

     

(8,799

)

   

     

0

   
   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

70,031

     

     

     

70,031

   
   

Total

 

$

189,788

   

$

(11,587

)

 

$

   

$

178,201

   

Income Plus

 

Bank of America

 

$

136,650

    $

    $

   

$

136,650

   

  

 

Barclays Bank

   

9,424

     

(9,424

)

   

     

0

   
   

Deutsche Bank

   

1,517,727

     

     

(1,440,000

)

   

77,727

   
   

Goldman Sachs

   

45,331

     

     

     

45,331

   
   

JPMorgan Chase

   

302,604

     

(54,842

)

   

(247,762

)*

   

0

   
   

Royal Bank of Canada

   

132,133

     

     

(110,000

)

   

22,133

   
   

Total

 

$

2,143,869

   

$

(64,266

)

 

$

(1,797,762

)

 

$

281,841

   

Multi Cap Growth

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

 

$

148,891

   

$

   

$

   

$

148,891

   


81



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

GROSS AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PORTFOLIO

 

COUNTERPARTY

  GROSS
LIABILITIES
DERIVATIVES
PRESENTED IN
STATEMENTS OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES
  FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENT
  COLLATERAL
PLEDGED
  NET AMOUNT
(NOT LESS
THAN 0)
 

Limited Duration

 

Barclays Bank

 

$

12,307

   

$

(2,788

)

 

$

   

$

9,519

   
   

JPMorgan Chase

   

14,432

     

(8,799

)    

     

5,633

   
   

Total

 

$

26,739

   

$

(11,587

)

 

$

   

$

15,152

   

Income Plus

 

Barclays Bank

 

$

43,000

   

$

(9,424

)

  $

   

$

33,576

   
   

HSBC Bank PLC

   

8,683

     

     

     

8,683

   
   

JPMorgan Chase

   

54,842

     

(54,842

)

   

     

0

   
   

Total

 

$

106,525

   

$

(64,266

)

 

$

   

$

42,259

   

*  In some instances the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown due to overcollateralization.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the average monthly amount outstanding for each derivative type is as follows:

Limited Duration:

 

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly original value

 

$

15,311,916

   

Swap Agreements:

 

Average monthly notional amount

 

$

10,001,833

   

Income Plus:

 

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts:

 

Average monthly principal amount

 

$

1,528,832

   

Futures Contracts:

 

Average monthly original value

 

$

99,622,363

   

Swap Agreements:

 

Average monthly notional amount

 

$

42,537,083

   

Multi Cap Growth:

 

Options Purchased:

 
Average monthly notional amount    

7,354,576

   

4. Advisory/Administration and Sub-Advisory Agreements

Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, the Fund pays an advisory fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rates listed below to each Portfolio's net assets determined at the close of each business day.


82



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

Money Market — 0.45% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $250 million; 0.375% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $250 million but not exceeding $750 million; 0.325% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $750 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; 0.30% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.25 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; and 0.275% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1.5 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.00% of the Portfolio's daily net assets.

Limited Duration — 0.30%.

Income Plus — 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.35% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1.25 billion; and 0.22% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $1.25 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.42% of the Portfolio's daily net assets.

Global Infrastructure — 0.57% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.47% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $1 billion; 0.445% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $1.5 billion; 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1.5 billion but not exceeding $2.5 billion; 0.395% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2.5 billion but not exceeding $3.5 billion; 0.37% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $3.5 billion but not exceeding $5 billion; and 0.345% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $5 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.57% of the Portfolio's daily net assets.

European Equity — 0.87% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $500 million; 0.82% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $500 million but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.77% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; and 0.745% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $3 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the advisory fee rate (net of waivers/rebate/reimbursement) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.65% of the Portfolio's daily net assets.

Multi Cap Growth — 0.42% to the portion of the daily net assets not exceeding $1 billion; 0.395% to the portion of the daily net assets exceeding $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; and 0.37% to the portion of the daily net assets in excess of $2 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the advisory fee rate (net of rebate) was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.42% of the Portfolio's daily net assets.


83



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Sub-Advisers, the Sub-Advisers provide Global Infrastructure Portfolio and European Equity Portfolio with advisory services subject to the overall supervision of the Adviser and the Fund's Officers and Trustees. The Adviser pays the Sub-Advisers on a monthly basis a portion of the net advisory fees the Adviser receives from each Portfolio.

The Adviser and Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc. (the "Administrator"), have agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse European Equity Portfolio so that total annual Portfolio operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 1.00%. The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time as the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2013, $115,301 of advisory fees were waived and/or reimbursed pursuant to this arrangement.

Pursuant to the Reorganization (defined herein), the Adviser and Administrator have agreed to reduce its advisory fee, its administration fee and/or reimburse Multi Cap Growth Portfolio so that total Portfolio operating expenses, excluding certain investment related expenses, 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest and other extraordinary expenses (including litigation), will not exceed 0.57% . The fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least two years from the date of the Reorganization or until such time as the Fund's Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

Pursuant to an Administration Agreement with the Administrator, an affiliate of the Adviser and Sub-Advisers, each Portfolio pays an administration fee, accrued daily and payable monthly, by applying the annual rate of 0.08% (Money Market Portfolio's rate is 0.05%) to the Portfolio's 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 each Portfolio.

5. Plan of Distribution

Shares of the Fund are distributed by Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of the Adviser, Administrator and Sub-Advisers. The Fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the Plan, Class Y shares of each Portfolio bear a distribution fee which is accrued daily and paid monthly at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the class.


84



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

The Distributor, Adviser and Administrator have agreed to waive/reimburse all or a portion of the Money Market Portfolio's distribution fee, advisory fee and administration fee, respectively, to the extent that total expenses exceed total income of the Money Market Portfolio on a daily basis. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Distributor waived $110,960, the Adviser waived $371,153 and the Administrator waived $18,070. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Adviser waived additional fees and/or reimbursed expenses to the extent the Portfolio's total expenses exceeded total income on a daily basis in the amount of $1,841. These fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements will continue for at least one year or until such time that the Trustees act to discontinue all or a portion of such waivers and/or expense reimbursements when it deems such action is appropriate.

6. Security Transactions and Transactions with Affiliates

For the year ended December 31, 2013, purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

   

U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES

 

OTHER

 

PORTFOLIO

 

PURCHASES

 

SALES

 

PURCHASES

 

SALES

 
Limited Duration   $

7,326,720

   

$

10,602,492

   

$

16,194,208

   

$

19,507,131

   

Income Plus

   

     

1,341

     

90,515,174

     

111,841,933

   

Global Infrastructure

   

     

     

17,308,330

     

30,353,485

   

European Equity

   

     

     

4,955,268

     

13,650,382

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

     

     

81,243,867

     

137,325,011

   

Each Portfolio (except Money Market) invests in the Institutional Class of the Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds (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 advisory and administrative fees paid by the Fund due to its investment in the Liquidity Funds.

A summary of each Portfolio's transactions in shares of the Liquidity Funds during the year ended December 31, 2013 is as follows:

PORTFOLIO

  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2012
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  DIVIDEND
INCOME
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31, 2013
 

Limited Duration

 

$

1,439,331

   

$

21,913,329

   

$

21,883,716

   

$

795

   

$

1,468,944

   

Income Plus

   

6,041,017

     

81,397,382

     

82,964,861

     

3,167

     

4,473,538

   

Global Infrastructure

   

1,300,782

     

25,252,157

     

14,376,250

     

437

     

12,176,689

   

European Equity

   

961,419

     

12,124,646

     

10,981,866

     

435

     

2,104,199

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

4,451,243

     

109,040,983

     

87,503,407

     

6,522

     

25,988,819

   


85



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

In addition, the table also identifies the income distributions earned, if any, by each Portfolio for that Portfolio's investment in the Liquidity Funds.

Income distributions are included in "Interest and dividends from affiliates" in the Statements of Operations.

PORTFOLIO

  ADVISORY FEE
REDUCTION
 

Limited Duration

 

$

1,206

   

Income Plus

   

4,359

   

Global Infrastructure

   

2,089

   

European Equity

   

637

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

10,186

   

The following Portfolios had transactions with the following affiliates of the Fund:

PORTFOLIO

 

ISSUER

  VALUE
DECEMBER 31,
2012
  PURCHASES
AT COST
 

SALES

  NET
REALIZED
GAIN
  INTEREST
INCOME
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31,
2013
 
Limited
Duration
  Metropolitan Life
Global Funding I
 

$

534,012

   

$

273,565

   

$

534,466

   

$

8,018

   

$

4,215

   

$

267,725

   
Income
Plus
  MetLife Capital
Trust IV
   

741,000

     

     

     

     

47,250

     

691,500

   

The following Portfolios had transactions with Citigroup, Inc., and its affiliated broker-dealers, which may be deemed to be affiliates of the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Administrator and Distributor under Section 17 of the Act, for the year ended December 31, 2013:

PORTFOLIO

  VALUE
DECEMBER 31,
2012
  PURCHASES
AT COST*
 

SALES*

  NET
REALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)*
  INTEREST
INCOME*
  VALUE
DECEMBER 31,
2013
 

Limited Duration

 

$

449,075

   

$

102,497

   

$

741

   

$

   

$

9,470

   

$

537,381

**

 

Income Plus

   

2,095,151

     

1,653,156

     

2,062,776

     

481,934

     

49,856

     

2,577,584

**

 

*  Data represents transactions through June 30, 2013.

**  Citigroup, Inc., and its affiliated broker-dealers ceased to be affiliates of the Fund pursuant to Section 17 of the Act as of July 1, 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2013, the following Portfolios incurred brokerage commissions with Morgan Stanley & Co., LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Administrator and Distributor, for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of each Portfolio:

EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 

$

211

   

$

5,308

   


86



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

From January 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013, the following Portfolios incurred brokerage commissions with Citigroup, Inc., and its affiliated broker-dealers, which may be deemed affiliates of the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Administrator and Distributor under Section 17 of the Act, for portfolio transactions executed on behalf of each Portfolio:

GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

576

    $

845

    $

3,030

   

Morgan Stanley Services Company Inc., an affiliate of the Adviser, Sub-Advisers, Administrator and Distributor, was the Fund's transfer agent. Effective July 1, 2013, the Trustees approved changing the transfer agent to Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

The Fund has an unfunded noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering certain independent Trustees of the Fund who will have served as independent Trustees for at least five years at the time of retirement. Benefits under this plan are based on factors which include years of service and compensation. The Trustees voted to close the plan to new participants and eliminate the future benefits growth due to increases to compensation after July 31, 2003.

Aggregate pension costs for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in "trustees' fees and expenses" in the Statements of Operations and the accrued pension liability included in "accrued expenses and other payables" in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities are as follows:

   

AGGREGATE PENSION COSTS

 
INCOME
PLUS
  GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 
$

975

   

$

1,314

   

$

398

   

$

2,766

   

 

   

AGGREGATE PENSION LIABILITY

 
MONEY
MARKET
  LIMITED
DURATION
  INCOME
PLUS
  GLOBAL
INFRASTRUCTURE
  EUROPEAN
EQUITY
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH
 

$

4,527

   

$

2,505

   

$

9,441

   

$

3,848

   

$

2,744

   

$

12,630

   

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 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


87



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

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 net asset value of the Fund.

7. Federal Income Tax Status

It is the Portfolios' 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.

A Portfolio 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 Portfolios recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Interest Expense" and penalties in "Other Expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Portfolios file tax returns with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, New York and various states. Each of the tax years in the four-year period ended December 31, 2013, remains subject to examination by taxing authorities.

The tax character of distributions paid may differ from the character of distributions shown in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets due to short-term capital gains being treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. The tax character of distributions paid during fiscal years 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 

2013 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

 

2012 DISTRIBUTIONS PAID FROM:

 
PORTFOLIO   ORDINARY
INCOME
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
  ORDINARY
INCOME
  LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
Money Market   $

8,318

    $

    $

10,504

    $

   

Limited Duration

   

1,067,043

     

     

1,503,210

     

   

Income Plus

   

8,060,938

     

     

10,700,252

     

   

Global Infrastructure

   

1,864,474

     

5,863,665

     

2,854,317

     

5,230,425

   

European Equity

   

1,517,812

     

     

1,421,625

     

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

951,967

     

3,478,094

     

     

4,886,471

   


88



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

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.

Temporary differences are primarily due 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.

Permanent differences, primarily due to differing treatments of gains (losses) related to foreign currency transactions, swap transactions, paydown adjustments, expiring capital losses, net operating losses, partnership basis adjustments, distribution redesignations, book amortization of premium on debt securities, nondeductible expenses and merger adjustments, resulted in the following reclassifications among the Portfolios' components of net assets at December 31, 2013:

PORTFOLIO   ACCUMULATED UNDISTRIBUTED
(DISTRIBUTIONS IN EXCESS OF)
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
  ACCUMULATED
NET REALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
 

PAID-IN-CAPITAL

 
Money Market   $

(107

)

  $

107

    $

   

Limited Duration

   

143,120

     

1,124,249

     

(1,267,369

)

 

Income Plus

   

(225,235

)

   

225,235

     

   

Global Infrastructure

   

(749

)

   

749

     

   

European Equity

   

(1,450

)

   

1,450

     

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

444,999

     

(501,796

)

   

56,797

   

At December 31, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

PORTFOLIO   UNDISTRIBUTED
ORDINARY
INCOME
  UNDISTRIBUTED
LONG-TERM
CAPITAL GAIN
 
Money Market   $

4,572

    $

   

Limited Duration

   

614,378

     

   
Income Plus    

5,980,746

     

   
Global Infrastructure    

1,852,388

     

7,463,147

   

European Equity

   

1,189,628

     

   
Multi Cap Growth    

4,912,282

     

29,304,421

   


89



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

At December 31, 2013, cost, unrealized appreciation, unrealized depreciation, and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes of the investments of each of the Portfolios were:

PORTFOLIO  

COST

 

APPRECIATION

 

DEPRECIATION

  NET APPRECIATION
(DEPRECIATION)
 
Money Market   $

73,464,904

    $

    $

    $

   

Limited Duration

   

42,069,943

     

326,672

     

(460,947

)

   

(134,275

)

 
Income Plus    

149,477,295

     

8,125,965

     

(2,896,416

)

   

5,229,549

   

Global Infrastructure

   

62,795,418

     

18,857,205

     

(62,077

)

   

18,795,128

   

European Equity

   

37,026,460

     

20,197,923

     

(416,848

)

   

19,781,075

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

171,750,339

     

137,909,300

     

(128,960

)

   

137,780,340

   

At December 31, 2013, the following Portfolios had available for Federal income tax purposes unused short term and/or long term capital losses that will not expire:

PORTFOLIO   SHORT TERM LOSSES
(NO EXPIRATION)
  LONG TERM LOSSES
(NO EXPIRATION)
 
Money Market   $

1,647

    $

   

Limited Duration

   

732

     

338,635

   

In addition, at December 31, 2013, the following Portfolio had available capital loss carryforwards to offset future net capital gains, to the extent provided by regulations, through the indicated expiration dates:

 

AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 31,

 

PORTFOLIO

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

2017

 

2018

 

2019

 

TOTAL

 
Limited Duration   $

2,233

    $

1,063

    $

17,119

    $

8,980

     

     

    $

29,395

   

Income Plus

   

     

     

7,196

     

     

     

     

7,196

   

European Equity

   

     

     

     

8,281

     

3,315

     

     

11,596

   

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the following Portfolio expired capital loss carryforwards for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as follows:

PORTFOLIO   EXPIRED CAPITAL
LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
 
Limited Duration   $

1,267,369

   

To the extent that capital loss carryforwards are used to offset any future capital gains realized during the carryover period as provided by U.S. Federal income tax regulations, no capital gains tax liability will be


90



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

incurred by a Portfolio for gains realized and not distributed. To the extent that capital gains are offset, such gains will not be distributed to the shareholders.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, the following Portfolios utilized capital loss carryforwards for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as follows:

PORTFOLIO   UTILIZED CAPITAL
LOSS CARRYFORWARDS
 
Money Market   $

288

   

Income Plus

   

3,153,122

   

European Equity

   

2,344,666

   

8. Purposes of and Risks Relating to Certain Financial Instruments

Certain Portfolios 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.

Certain Portfolios may invest in mortgage securities, including securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"). These are fixed income securities that derive their value from or represent interests in a pool of mortgages or mortgage securities. An unexpectedly high rate of defaults on the mortgages held by a mortgage pool may adversely affect the value of a mortgage-backed security and could result in losses to the Portfolios. The risk of such defaults is generally higher in the case of mortgage pools that include sub-prime mortgages. Sub-prime mortgages refer to loans made to borrowers with weakened credit histories or with a lower capacity to make timely payments on their mortgages. The securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC that are held by the Portfolios are not backed by sub-prime mortgages.

Additionally, securities issued by FNMA and FHLMC are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States; rather, they are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency ("FHFA") serves as conservator of FNMA and FHLMC and the U.S. Department of the Treasury has agreed to provide capital as needed to ensure FNMA and FHLMC continue to provide liquidity to the housing and mortgage markets.

The Money Market Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements under which the Portfolio sends cash and takes possession of securities with an agreement that the counterparty will repurchase such securities. In the event of default on the obligation to repurchase, the Portfolio has the right to liquidate the collateral and


91



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

apply the proceeds in satisfaction of the obligation. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty to the agreement, realization of the collateral proceeds may be subject to certain costs and delays.

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.

At December 31, 2013, European Equity Portfolio's investments in securities of issuers in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany and France represented 38.3%, 14.0%, 14.8% and 17.8%, respectively of the Portfolio's net assets. These investments, as well as other non-U.S. investments, which involve risks and considerations not present with respect to U.S. securities, may be affected by economic or political developments in these countries.

9. Accounting Pronouncement

In June 2013, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 Financial Services — Investment Companies (Topic 946) — Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements ("ASU 2013-08") which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2013. ASU 2013-08 sets forth a methodology for determining whether an entity should be characterized as an investment company and prescribes fair value accounting for an investment company's non-controlling ownership interest in another investment company. FASB has determined that a fund registered under the Act automatically meets ASU 2013-08's criteria for an investment company. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of ASU 2013-08 to the Fund, management expects that the impact of the Fund's adoption will be limited to additional financial statement disclosures.

10. Portfolio Mergers

On April 29, 2013, the Multi Cap Growth Portfolio (the "Portfolio") acquired the net assets of Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series Aggressive Equity Portfolio ("Aggressive Equity Portfolio"), an open-end investment company, based on the respective valuations as of the close of business on April 26, 2013, pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization approved by the shareholders of Aggressive Equity Portfolio on February 21, 2013 ("Reorganization"). The purpose of the transaction was to combine two portfolios managed by Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc. with comparable investment objectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 249,276 Class X shares of the Portfolio at a net asset value of $44.02 per share for 592,874 Class X shares of Aggressive Equity Portfolio; 360,951 Class Y shares of the Portfolio at a net asset value of $43.50 for 875,713 Class Y shares of Aggressive Equity Portfolio. The net assets of Aggressive Equity Portfolio before the Reorganization were $26,674,482,


92



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

including unrealized appreciation of $7,944,634 at April 26, 2013. The investment portfolio of Aggressive Equity Portfolio, with a fair value of $26,791,965 and identified cost of $18,847,335 on April 26, 2013, was the principal asset acquired by the Portfolio. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Portfolio were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from Aggressive Equity Portfolio was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Portfolio's realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to the Reorganization, the net assets of the Portfolio were $213,552,626. Immediately after the merger, the net assets of the Portfolio were $240,227,108.

Upon closing of the Reorganization, shareholders of Aggressive Equity Portfolio received shares of the Portfolio as follows:

AGGRESSIVE
EQUITY PORTFOLIO
  MULTI CAP
GROWTH PORTFOLIO
 
Class X  

Class X

 
Class Y  

Class Y

 

Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2013, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Portfolio, the Portfolio's pro forma results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2013, are as follows:

Net investment income(1)   

$

5,039

   
Net gain realized and unrealized gain(2)   

$

106,904,086

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

106,909,125

   

(1)  $(279,819) as reported, plus $37,505 Aggressive Equity Portfolio premerger, plus $247,353 of estimated pro-forma eliminated expenses.

(2)  $105,695,600 as reported, plus $1,208,486 Aggressive Equity Portfolio premerger.

Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of Aggressive Equity Portfolio that have been included in the Portfolio's Statement of Operations since April 26, 2013.

On February 21, 2013, shareholders of the Strategist Portfolio (the "Portfolio") approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series (the "Fund"), on behalf of the Portfolio, and The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc., on behalf of the Global Tactical Asset Allocation Portfolio ("Global Tactical Asset Allocation"), pursuant to which substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Portfolio would be transferred to Global Tactical Asset Allocation in exchange for shares of Global Tactical Asset Allocation and pursuant to which the Portfolio will be liquidated and


93



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Notes to Financial Statements n December 31, 2013 continued

terminated (the "Reorganization"). Each Class X shareholder of the Portfolio received Class I shares of Global Tactical Asset Allocation and each Class Y shareholder of the Portfolio received Class II shares of the Global Tactical Asset Allocation. The Reorganization was consummated on April 29, 2013.

11. Subsequent Event

The Board of Trustees of the Fund approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization by and between the Fund, on behalf of its series Global Infrastructure Portfolio (the "Portfolio") and The Universal Institutional Funds, Inc., on behalf of its newly created series Global Infrastructure Portfolio ("UIF Global Infrastructure"), pursuant to which substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Portfolio would be transferred to UIF Global Infrastructure and shareholders of the Portfolio would become shareholders of UIF Global Infrastructure, receiving shares of UIF Global Infrastructure equal to the value of their holdings in the Portfolio (the "Reorganization"). Each shareholder of the Portfolio would receive the Class of shares of UIF Global Infrastructure that corresponds to the Class of shares of the Portfolio currently held by that shareholder. The Reorganization is subject to the approval of shareholders of the Portfolio at a special meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held during the first quarter of 2014.


94




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Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights

                               
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME(a)
  NET REALIZED
AND
UNREALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)
  TOTAL FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS
  DIVIDENDS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  DISTRIBUTIONS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  TOTAL
DIVIDENDS
AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
MONEY MARKET
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^  

$

1.00

   

$

0.000

(d)

   

   

$

0.000

(d)

 

$

(0.000

)(d)

   

   

$

(0.000

)(d)

 
2010^    

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

     

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2011

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

 

$

(0.000

)(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2012

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2013

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
2009^    

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

     

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 
2010^    

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

     

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2011

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2012

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 

2013

   

1.00

     

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

0.000

(d)

   

(0.000

)(d)

   

     

(0.000

)(d)

 
LIMITED DURATION
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^    

7.76

     

0.20

     

0.24

     

0.44

     

(0.36

)

   

     

(0.36

)

 
2010^    

7.84

     

0.18

     

0.00

     

0.18

     

(0.28

)

   

     

(0.28

)

 

2011

   

7.74

     

0.17

     

0.04

     

0.21

     

(0.26

)

   

     

(0.26

)

 

2012

   

7.69

     

0.12

     

0.13

     

0.25

     

(0.23

)

   

     

(0.23

)

 

2013

   

7.71

     

0.10

     

(0.07

)

   

0.03

     

(0.20

)

   

     

(0.20

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
2009^    

7.73

     

0.18

     

0.24

     

0.42

     

(0.34

)

   

     

(0.34

)

 
2010^    

7.81

     

0.16

     

0.01

     

0.17

     

(0.26

)

   

     

(0.26

)

 

2011

   

7.72

     

0.15

     

0.04

     

0.19

     

(0.24

)

   

     

(0.24

)

 

2012

   

7.67

     

0.10

     

0.13

     

0.23

     

(0.21

)

   

     

(0.21

)

 

2013

   

7.69

     

0.08

     

(0.07

)

   

0.01

     

(0.18

)

   

     

(0.18

)

 
INCOME PLUS
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^    

9.45

     

0.57

     

1.50

     

2.07

     

(0.53

)

   

     

(0.53

)

 
2010^    

10.99

     

0.58

     

0.39

     

0.97

     

(0.70

)

   

     

(0.70

)

 

2011

   

11.26

     

0.57

     

(0.02

)

   

0.55

     

(0.68

)

   

     

(0.68

)

 

2012

   

11.13

     

0.48

     

1.04

     

1.52

     

(0.68

)

   

     

(0.68

)

 

2013

   

11.97

     

0.45

     

(0.35

)

   

0.10

     

(0.59

)

   

     

(0.59

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
96



                RATIO TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS(c)
         
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
END OF
PERIOD
  TOTAL
RETURN(b)
  NET ASSETS
END OF
PERIOD
(000'S)
 

EXPENSES

  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME
  REBATE FROM
MORGAN STANLEY
AFFILIATE
  PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
RATE
 
MONEY MARKET
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^  

$

1.00

     

0.03

%

 

$

84,486

     

0.40

%(e)(f)

   

0.03

%(e)(f)

   

     

N/A

   
2010^    

1.00

     

0.01

     

59,932

     

0.29

(f)

   

0.00

(f)(g)

   

     

N/A

   

2011

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

51,431

     

0.22

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   

2012

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

42,267

     

0.27

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   

2013

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

33,951

     

0.19

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
2009^    

1.00

     

0.01

     

81,145

     

0.41

(e)(f)

   

0.01

(e)(f)

   

     

N/A

   
2010^    

1.00

     

0.01

     

67,139

     

0.29

(f)

   

0.00

(f)(g)

   

     

N/A

   

2011

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

55,849

     

0.22

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   

2012

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

48,565

     

0.27

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   

2013

   

1.00

     

0.01

     

39,351

     

0.19

(f)

   

0.01

(f)

   

     

N/A

   
LIMITED DURATION
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^    

7.84

     

5.76

     

16,889

     

0.49

(h)

   

2.61

(h)

   

0.00

%(g)

   

105

%

 
2010^    

7.74

     

2.35

     

14,921

     

0.55

(h)

   

2.25

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

88

   

2011

   

7.69

     

2.75

     

12,693

     

0.60

(h)

   

2.15

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

45

   

2012

   

7.71

     

3.34

     

10,628

     

0.63

(h)

   

1.52

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

58

   

2013

   

7.54

     

0.39

     

9,346

     

0.75

(h)

   

1.27

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

53

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
2009^    

7.81

     

5.56

     

60,753

     

0.74

(h)

   

2.36

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

105

   
2010^    

7.72

     

2.22

     

53,760

     

0.80

(h)

   

2.00

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

88

   

2011

   

7.67

     

2.45

     

44,085

     

0.85

(h)

   

1.90

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

45

   

2012

   

7.69

     

3.05

     

38,736

     

0.88

(h)

   

1.27

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

58

   

2013

   

7.52

     

0.09

     

32,974

     

1.00

(h)

   

1.02

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

53

   
INCOME PLUS
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^    

10.99

     

22.57

     

114,488

     

0.56

(h)

   

5.64

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

75

   
2010^    

11.26

     

9.28

     

106,363

     

0.59

(h)

   

5.23

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

53

   

2011

   

11.13

     

5.01

     

90,876

     

0.59

(h)

   

5.01

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

43

   

2012

   

11.97

     

14.09

     

86,765

     

0.61

(h)

   

4.14

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

68

   

2013

   

11.48

     

1.03

     

73,998

     

0.62

(h)

   

3.82

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

55

   


97



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights continued

                               
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME(a)
  NET REALIZED
AND
UNREALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)
  TOTAL FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS
  DIVIDENDS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  DISTRIBUTIONS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  TOTAL
DIVIDENDS
AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
INCOME PLUS
CLASS Y SHARES
     
2009^  

$

9.42

   

$

0.55

   

$

1.49

   

$

2.04

   

$

(0.51

)

   

   

$

(0.51

)

 
2010^    

10.95

     

0.55

     

0.39

     

0.94

     

(0.67

)

   

     

(0.67

)

 

2011

   

11.22

     

0.54

     

(0.02

)

   

0.52

     

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.65

)

 

2012

   

11.09

     

0.45

     

1.04

     

1.49

     

(0.65

)

   

     

(0.65

)

 

2013

   

11.93

     

0.41

     

(0.33

)

   

0.08

     

(0.56

)

   

     

(0.56

)

 
GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^    

11.30

     

0.31

     

1.16

     

1.47

     

(0.38

)

 

$

(3.71

)

   

(4.09

)

 
2010^    

8.68

     

0.21

     

0.18

     

0.39

     

(0.25

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.94

)

 

2011

   

8.13

     

0.21

     

1.07

     

1.28

     

(0.23

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.69

)

 

2012

   

8.72

     

0.22

     

1.30

     

1.52

     

(0.23

)

   

(0.82

)

   

(1.05

)

 

2013

   

9.19

     

0.20

     

1.32

     

1.52

     

(0.26

)

   

(0.81

)

   

(1.07

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
2009^    

11.27

     

0.28

     

1.15

     

1.43

     

(0.35

)

   

(3.71

)

   

(4.06

)

 
2010^    

8.64

     

0.19

     

0.19

     

0.38

     

(0.23

)

   

(0.69

)

   

(0.92

)

 

2011

   

8.10

     

0.19

     

1.06

     

1.25

     

(0.20

)

   

(0.46

)

   

(0.66

)

 

2012

   

8.69

     

0.20

     

1.29

     

1.49

     

(0.20

)

   

(0.82

)

   

(1.02

)

 

2013

   

9.16

     

0.17

     

1.32

     

1.49

     

(0.24

)

   

(0.81

)

   

(1.05

)

 
EUROPEAN EQUITY
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^    

13.32

     

0.36

     

3.01

     

3.37

     

(0.56

)

   

(0.71

)

   

(1.27

)

 
2010^    

15.42

     

0.26

     

0.76

     

1.02

     

(0.39

)

   

     

(0.39

)

 

2011

   

16.05

     

0.41

     

(1.90

)

   

(1.49

)

   

(0.37

)

   

     

(0.37

)

 

2012

   

14.19

     

0.53

     

2.03

     

2.56

     

(0.43

)

   

     

(0.43

)

 

2013

   

16.32

     

0.42

     

3.95

     

4.37

     

(0.53

)

   

     

(0.53

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
2009^    

13.24

     

0.32

     

3.00

     

3.32

     

(0.50

)

   

(0.71

)

   

(1.21

)

 
2010^    

15.35

     

0.22

     

0.76

     

0.98

     

(0.35

)

   

     

(0.35

)

 

2011

   

15.98

     

0.37

     

(1.90

)

   

(1.53

)

   

(0.33

)

   

     

(0.33

)

 

2012

   

14.12

     

0.49

     

2.03

     

2.52

     

(0.38

)

   

     

(0.38

)

 

2013

   

16.26

     

0.33

     

3.98

     

4.31

     

(0.48

)

   

     

(0.48

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
98



              RATIO TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS
         
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
END OF
PERIOD
  TOTAL
RETURN(b)
  NET ASSETS
END OF
PERIOD
(000'S)
 

EXPENSES

  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME
  REBATE FROM
MORGAN STANLEY
AFFILIATE
  PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
RATE
 
INCOME PLUS
CLASS Y SHARES
 
2009^  

$

10.95

     

22.29

%

 

$

148,108

     

0.81

%(h)

   

5.39

%(h)

   

0.00

%(g)

   

75

%

 
2010^    

11.22

     

9.01

     

124,322

     

0.84

(h)

   

4.98

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

53

   

2011

   

11.09

     

4.71

     

102,948

     

0.84

(h)

   

4.76

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

43

   

2012

   

11.93

     

13.82

     

97,579

     

0.86

(h)

   

3.89

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

68

   

2013

   

11.45

     

0.81

     

82,429

     

0.87

(h)

   

3.57

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

55

   
GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^    

8.68

     

19.26

     

68,748

     

0.96

(h)

   

3.37

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

280

   
2010^    

8.13

     

6.93

     

61,408

     

0.87

(h)

   

2.71

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

148

   

2011

   

8.72

     

16.07

     

58,998

     

0.86

(h)

   

2.48

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

36

   

2012

   

9.19

     

18.69

     

57,628

     

0.87

(h)

   

2.51

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

28

   

2013

   

9.64

     

17.91

     

57,746

     

0.90

(h)

   

2.12

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

25

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
2009^    

8.64

     

18.83

     

17,818

     

1.21

(h)

   

3.12

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

280

   
2010^    

8.10

     

6.74

     

15,789

     

1.12

(h)

   

2.46

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

148

   

2011

   

8.69

     

15.82

     

14,472

     

1.11

(h)

   

2.23

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

36

   

2012

   

9.16

     

18.44

     

14,506

     

1.12

(h)

   

2.26

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

28

   

2013

   

9.60

     

17.54

     

14,511

     

1.15

(h)

   

1.87

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

25

   
EUROPEAN EQUITY
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^    

15.42

     

27.73

     

61,197

     

1.00

(h)(i)

   

2.67

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

26

   
2010^    

16.05

     

7.23

(j)

   

54,824

     

1.00

(h)(i)

   

1.81

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

22

   

2011

   

14.19

     

(9.64

)

   

41,181

     

1.00

(h)(i)

   

2.56

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

11

   

2012

   

16.32

     

18.51

     

40,141

     

1.00

(h)(i)

   

3.50

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

11

   

2013

   

20.16

     

27.50

     

43,414

     

1.00

(h)(i)

   

2.32

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

10

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
2009^    

15.35

     

27.41

     

19,323

     

1.25

(h)(i)

   

2.42

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

26

   
2010^    

15.98

     

6.96

(j)

   

17,821

     

1.25

(h)(i)

   

1.56

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

22

   

2011

   

14.12

     

(9.85

)

   

11,668

     

1.25

(h)(i)

   

2.31

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

11

   

2012

   

16.26

     

18.16

     

11,773

     

1.25

(h)(i)

   

3.25

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

11

   

2013

   

20.09

     

27.20

     

11,807

     

1.25

(h)(i)

   

2.07

(h)(i)

   

0.00

(g)

   

10

   


99



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Financial Highlights continued

                               
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
BEGINNING
OF PERIOD
  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME
(LOSS)(a)
  NET REALIZED
AND
UNREALIZED
GAIN (LOSS)
  TOTAL FROM
INVESTMENT
OPERATIONS
  DIVIDENDS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  DISTRIBUTIONS
TO
SHAREHOLDERS
  TOTAL
DIVIDENDS
AND
DISTRIBUTIONS
 
MULTI CAP GROWTH
CLASS X SHARES
     
2009^  

$

18.41

   

$

0.11

   

$

12.99

   

$

13.10

   

$

(0.09

)

   

   

$

(0.09

)

 
2010^    

31.42

     

0.06

     

8.65

     

8.71

     

(0.06

)

   

     

(0.06

)

 

2011

   

40.07

     

0.01

     

(2.70

)

   

(2.69

)

   

(0.07

)

   

     

(0.07

)

 

2012

   

37.31

     

0.20

     

4.40

     

4.60

     

   

$

(0.90

)

   

(0.90

)

 

2013

   

41.01

     

(0.03

)

   

20.55

     

20.52

     

(0.20

)

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.86

)

 

CLASS Y SHARES

     
2009^    

18.29

     

0.05

     

12.90

     

12.95

     

(0.03

)

   

     

(0.03

)

 
2010^    

31.21

     

(0.02

)

   

8.58

     

8.56

     

     

     

   

2011

   

39.77

     

(0.09

)

   

(2.68

)

   

(2.77

)

   

     

     

   

2012

   

37.00

     

0.09

     

4.37

     

4.46

     

     

(0.90

)

   

(0.90

)

 

2013

   

40.56

     

(0.15

)

   

20.32

     

20.17

     

(0.11

)

   

(0.66

)

   

(0.77

)

 

^  Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2011, the Fund was audited by Ernst & Young LLP. The previous years were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm.

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

(b)  Calculated based on the net asset value as of the last business day of the period. Performance shown does not reflect fees and expenses imposed by your insurance company. If performance information included the effect of these additional charges, the total returns would be lower.

(c)  Reflects overall Portfolio ratios for investment income and non-class specific expenses.

(d)  Amount is less than $0.001.

(e)  Reflects fees paid in connection with the U.S. Treasury's Temporary Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds. This fee had an effect of 0.04% for the year ended 2009.

(f)  If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Distributor, Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment loss ratios, would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED

  EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT LOSS
RATIO
 

December 31,2013

                 

Class X

   

0.66

%

   

(0.46

)%

 

Class Y

   

0.91

     

(0.71

)

 

December 31, 2012

                 

Class X

   

0.63

     

(0.35

)

 

Class Y

   

0.88

     

(0.60

)

 

December 31, 2011

                 

Class X

   

0.60

     

(0.37

)

 

Class Y

   

0.85

     

(0.62

)

 

December 31, 2010

                 

Class X

   

0.62

     

(0.33

)

 

Class Y

   

0.87

     

(0.58

)

 

December 31, 2009

                 

Class X

   

0.59

     

(0.16

)

 

Class Y

   

0.84

     

(0.42

)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements
100



                RATIO TO AVERAGE
NET ASSETS
         
FOR THE YEAR
ENDED
DECEMBER 31
  NET ASSET
VALUE
END OF
PERIOD
  TOTAL
RETURN(b)
  NET ASSETS
END OF
PERIOD
(000'S)
 

EXPENSES

  NET
INVESTMENT
INCOME (LOSS)
  REBATE FROM
MORGAN STANLEY
AFFILIATE
  PORTFOLIO
TURNOVER
RATE
 
MULTI CAP GROWTH
CLASS X SHARES
 
2009^  

$

31.42

     

71.32

%

 

$

202,279

     

0.55

%(h)

   

0.44

%(h)

   

0.00

%(g)

   

23

%

 
2010^    

40.07

     

27.76

     

220,553

     

0.58

(h)

   

0.19

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

29

   

2011

   

37.31

     

(6.74

)

   

173,284

     

0.56

(h)

   

0.03

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

24

   

2012

   

41.01

     

12.37

     

164,917

     

0.58

(h)

   

0.48

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

44

   

2013

   

60.67

     

50.76

     

223,689

     

0.57

(h)

   

(0.06

)(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

34

   

CLASS Y SHARES

 
2009^    

31.21

     

70.85

     

64,122

     

0.80

(h)

   

0.19

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

23

   
2010^    

39.77

     

27.43

     

67,303

     

0.83

(h)

   

(0.06

)(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

29

   

2011

   

37.00

     

(6.97

)

   

49,678

     

0.81

(h)

   

(0.22

)(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

24

   

2012

   

40.56

     

12.09

     

45,556

     

0.83

(h)

   

0.23

(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

44

   

2013

   

59.96

     

50.37

     

72,135

     

0.82

(h)

   

(0.31

)(h)

   

0.00

(g)

   

34

   

(g)  Amount is less than 0.005%.

(h)  The ratios reflect the rebate of certain Portfolio 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."

(i)  If the Portfolio had borne all of its expenses that were reimbursed or waived by the Adviser and Administrator, the annualized expense and net investment income ratios, would have been as follows:

PERIOD ENDED

  EXPENSE
RATIO
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME
RATIO
 

December 31, 2013

                 

Class X

   

1.22

%

   

2.10

%

 

Class Y

   

1.47

     

1.85

   

December 31, 2012

                 

Class X

   

1.22

     

3.28

   

Class Y

   

1.47

     

3.03

   

December 31, 2011

                 

Class X

   

1.17

     

2.39

   

Class Y

   

1.42

     

2.14

   

December 31, 2010

                 

Class X

   

1.16

     

1.65

   

Class Y

   

1.41

     

1.40

   

December 31, 2009

                 

Class X

   

1.12

     

2.55

   

Class Y

   

1.37

     

2.30

   

(j)  During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Portfolio received a regulatory settlement from an unaffiliated third party which had an impact of approximately 0.14% and 0.14% for Class X and Y, respectively, on the total return. This was a one-time settlement, and as a result, the impact on the NAV and consequently the performance will not likely be repeated in the future. Had this settlement not occurred, the total return for Class X and Y shares would have been approximately 7.09% and 6.82%, respectively.


101




Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series:

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the portfolios of investments, of Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series (comprising, respectively, Money Market, Limited Duration, Income Plus, Global Infrastructure, European Equity, and Multi Cap Growth Portfolios) (collectively, the "Portfolios") as of December 31, 2013, and the related statements 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, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolios' management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for the two years ended December 31, 2010 were audited by another independent registered public accounting firm whose report, dated February 25, 2011, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Portfolios' internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolios' internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2013, by correspondence with the custodian and others or by other appropriate auditing procedures where replies from others were not received. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the respective portfolios constituting the Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series at December 31, 2013, the results of their operations for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the three years in the period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

  

Boston, Massachusetts
February 21, 2014


102



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Results of Special Shareholder Meetings (unaudited)

On May 31, 2013, a Special Meeting of Shareholders of Global Infrastructure Portfolio (the "Portfolio") was held in order to approve changing the Portfolio's fundamental investment restriction regarding industry concentration. The voting results were as follows:

   

Number of Shares

 
   

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 
     

1,701,579

     

66,108

     

145,445

   

On February 21, 2013, a Special Meeting of Shareholders was held for the following Portfolios to vote upon a proposal to approve an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. The voting results were as follows:

 
   

Number of Shares

 
   

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Aggressive Equity Portfolio

   

1,346,522

     

25,938

     

82,577

   
   

Number of Shares

 
   

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Strategist Portfolio

   

10,081,114

     

477,425

     

794,846

   


103



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited)

Independent Trustees:

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Frank L. Bowman (69)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

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 Insurance Sub-Committee of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since February 2007); 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).

 

98

 

Director of BP p.l.c.; Director of Naval and Nuclear Technologies LLP; Director of the Armed Services YMCA of the USA and the U.S. Naval Submarine League; Director of the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association; Member of the National Security Advisory Council of the Center for U.S. Global Engagement and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board; Chairman of the charity J Street Cup Golf; Trustee of the Fairhaven United Methodist Church.

 


104



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael Bozic (73)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since April 1994

 

Private investor and a member of the advisory board of American Road Group LLC( retail) (since June 2000); Chairperson of the Compliance and Insurance Committee (since October 2006); Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since April 1994); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (July 2006-September 2006); Vice Chairman of Kmart Corporation (December 1998-October 2000); Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Levitz Furniture Corporation (November 1995-November 1998) and President and Chief Executive Officer of Hills Department Stores (May 1991-July 1995); variously Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer (1987-1991) of the Sears Merchandise Group of Sears, Roebuck & Co.

 

100

 

Trustee and member of the Hillsdale College Board of Trustees.

 
Kathleen A. Dennis (60)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

 

President, Cedarwood Associates (mutual fund and investment management consulting) (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Money Market 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).

 

98

 

Director of various non-profit organizations.

 


105



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson (65)
c/o Johnson Smick
International, Inc.
220 I Street, NE-Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20002
 

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.

 

100

 

Director of NVR, Inc. (home construction).

 
Joseph J. Kearns (71)
c/o Kearns & Associates LLC PMB754
22631 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90265
 

Trustee

 

Since August 1994

 

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

 

101

 

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

 


106



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Michael F. Klein (55)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis &
Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

 

Managing Director, Aetos Capital, LLC (since March 2000); Co-President, Aetos Alternatives Management, LLC (since January 2004) and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Aetos Capital LLC (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, President, various Morgan Stanley Funds (June 1998-March 2000) and Principal, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Investment Management (August 1997-December 1999).

 

98

  Director of certain investment funds managed or sponsored by Aetos Capital, LLC. Director of Sanitized AG and Sanitized Marketing AG (specialty
chemicals).
 
Michael E. Nugent (77)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chairperson of the Board and Trustee

 

Chairperson of the Boards since July 2006 and Trustee since July 1991

 

Chairperson of the Boards of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 2006); Chairperson of the Closed-End Fund Committee (since June 2012) and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since July 1991); formerly, Chairperson of the Insurance Committee (until July 2006), General Partner, Triumph Capital, L.P. (private investment partnership) (1988-2013).

 

100

 

None.

 
W. Allen Reed (66)
c/o Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
Counsel to the Independent Trustees
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
 

Trustee

 

Since August 2006

 

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, President and CEO 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).

 

98

 

Director of Temple-Inland Industries (packaging and forest products); Director of Legg Mason, Inc. and Director of the Auburn University Foundation.

 


107



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Name, Age and Address of
Independent Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Independent
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Independent Trustee***
 
Fergus Reid (81)
c/o Joe Pietryka, Inc.
85 Charles Colman Blvd.
Pawling, NY 12564
 

Trustee

 

Since June 1992

 

Chairman, Joe Pietryka, Inc.; Chairperson of the Governance Committee and Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1992).

 

101

 

Through December 31, 2012, Trustee and Director of certain investment companies in the JPMorgan Fund Complex.

 

Interested Trustee:

Name, Age and Address of
Interested Trustee
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Interested
Trustee**
  Other Directorships
Held by Interested Trustee***
 
James F. Higgins (66)
One New York Plaza,
New York, NY 10004
 

Trustee

 

Since June 2000

 

Director or Trustee of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 2000); Senior Advisor of Morgan Stanley (since August 2000).

 

99

 

Formerly, Director of AXA Financial, Inc. and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (2002-2011) and Director of AXA MONY Life Insurance Company and AXA MONY Life Insurance Company of America (2004-2011).

 

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

  **  The Fund Complex includes (as of December 31, 2013) 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.


108



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Trustee and Officer Information (unaudited) continued

Executive Officers:

Name, Age and Address of
Executive Officer
  Position(s)
Held with
Registrant
  Length of
Time Served*
 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 
John H. Gernon (50)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

President and Principal Executive Officer – Equity, Fixed Income and AIP Funds

 

Since September 2013

 

President and Principal Executive Officer of the Equity and Fixed Income Funds and the Morgan Stanley AIP Funds (since September 2013) in the Fund Complex, Managing Director of the Adviser.

 
Stefanie V. Chang Yu (47)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since January 2014

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Chief Compliance Officer of various Morgan Stanley Funds and the Adviser (since January 2014). Formerly, Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (December 1997-January 2014).

 
Joseph C. Benedetti (48)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Vice President

 

Since January 2014

 

Managing Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Vice President of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since January 2014). Formerly, Assistant Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (October 2004-January 2014).

 
Francis J. Smith (48)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

 

Treasurer since July 2003 and Principal Financial Officer since September 2002

 

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

 
Mary E. Mullin (46)
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
 

Secretary

 

Since June 1999

 

Executive Director of the Adviser and various entities affiliated with the Adviser; Secretary of various Morgan Stanley Funds (since June 1999).

 

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


109



Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

Federal Tax Notice n December 31, 2013 (unaudited)

For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the distributions paid by each applicable Portfolio during the taxable year ended December 31, 2013. For corporate shareholders, the following percentages of dividends paid by each of the applicable Portfolios qualified for the dividends received deduction.

PORTFOLIO

  DIVIDENDS RECEIVED
DEDUCTION%
 

Global Infrastructure

   

24.61

%

 

Each of the applicable Portfolios designated and paid the following amounts as a long-term capital gain distribution:

PORTFOLIO

 

AMOUNT

 

Global Infrastructure

  $

5,863,665

   

Multi Cap Growth

   

3,478,094

   

For Federal income tax purposes, the following information is furnished with respect to the earnings of each applicable Portfolio for the taxable year ended December 31, 2013.

The Global Infrastructure Portfolio intends to pass through foreign tax credits of $85,039, and has derived income from sources within foreign countries amounting to $1,468,460. The European Equity Portfolio intends to pass through foreign tax credits of $45,693, and has derived income from sources within foreign countries amounting to $1,867,643.


110



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Trustees

 
Frank L. Bowman  

Joseph J. Kearns

 
Michael Bozic  

Michael F. Klein

 
Kathleen A. Dennis  

Michael E. Nugent

 
James F. Higgins  

W. Allen Reed

 
Dr. Manuel H. Johnson  

Fergus Reid

 

Officers

 
Michael E. Nugent
Chairperson of the Board
 
John H. Gernon
President and Principal Executive Officer
 
Stefanie V. Chang Yu
Chief Compliance Officer
 
Joseph C. Benedetti
Vice President
 
Francis J. Smith
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer
 
Mary E. Mullin
Secretary
 
Transfer Agent  

Custodian

 
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169
  State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02111
 
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  

Legal Counsel

 
Ernst & Young LLP
200 Clarendon Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
  Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
 
Counsel to the Independent Trustees  

Adviser

 
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
  Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.
522 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10036
 

Sub-Advisers

 
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited
25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf
London, E14 4QA, England
 
Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company
23 Church Street
16-01 Capital Square 049481 Singapore
 

This report is submitted for the general information of 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. Read the Prospectus carefully before investing.

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc., member FINRA.



#40113A

VARINANN
807247 EXP 2.28.15




 

Item 2.  Code of Ethics.

 

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

 

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

 

(c)                                  Not applicable.

 

(d)                                 Not applicable.

 

(e)                                  Not applicable.

 

(f)

 

(1)                                 The Fund’s Code of Ethics is attached hereto as Exhibit 12 A.

 

(2)                                 Not applicable.

 

(3)                                 Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The Fund’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:

 

2013

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

227,396

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

––

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

21,764

(3)

$

7,772,493

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

101,000

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

21,764

 

$

7,873,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

249,160

 

$

7,873,493

 

 

2012

 

 

 

Registrant

 

Covered Entities(1)

 

Audit Fees

 

$

227,115

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-Audit Fees

 

 

 

 

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

$

 

(2)

$

 

(2)

Tax Fees

 

$

33,952

(3)

$

3,789,467

(4)

All Other Fees

 

$

 

 

$

723,998

(5)

Total Non-Audit Fees

 

$

33,952

 

$

4,513,465

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

261,067

 

$

4,513,465

 

 


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:

 

APPENDIX A

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES

PRE-APPROVAL POLICY AND PROCEDURES

OF THE

MORGAN STANLEY RETAIL AND INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

 

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

 

1.              Statement of Principles

 

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

 

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

 


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

 



 

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

 

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

 

2.              Delegation

 

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

 

3.              Audit Services

 

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

 

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

 

The Audit Committee has pre-approved the Audit services in Appendix B.1.  All other Audit services not listed in Appendix B.1 must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee (or by any member of the Audit Committee to which pre-approval has been delegated).

 

4.              Audit-related Services

 

Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Fund’s financial statements and, to the extent they are Covered Services, the Covered Entities or that are traditionally performed by the Independent Auditors.  Because the Audit Committee believes that the provision of Audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor and is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval to Audit-related services.  Audit-related services include, among others, accounting consultations related to accounting, financial reporting or disclosure matters

 



 

not classified as “Audit services”; assistance with understanding and implementing new accounting and financial reporting guidance from rulemaking authorities; agreed-upon or expanded audit procedures related to accounting and/or billing records required to respond to or comply with financial, accounting or regulatory reporting matters; and assistance with internal control reporting requirements under Forms N-SAR and/or N-CSR.

 

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

 

5.              Tax Services

 

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

 

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

 

6.              All Other Services

 

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

 

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

 

7.              Pre-Approval Fee Levels or Budgeted Amounts

 

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

 

8.              Procedures

 

All requests or applications for services to be provided by the Independent Auditors that do not require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer and must include a detailed description of the services to be

 



 

rendered.  The Fund’s Chief Financial Officer will determine whether such services are included within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee will be informed on a timely basis of any such services rendered by the Independent Auditors.  Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by both the Independent Auditors and the Fund’s Chief Financial Officer, and must include a joint statement as to whether, in their view, the request or application is consistent with the SEC’s rules on auditor independence.

 

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

 

9.              Additional Requirements

 

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

 

10.       Covered Entities

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Retail Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley DW Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley Services Company, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Distributors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Trust FSB

 



 

Morgan Stanley Institutional Funds

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Advisors Inc.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Private Limited

Morgan Stanley Asset & Investment Trust Management Co., Limited

Morgan Stanley Investment Management Company

Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated

Morgan Stanley Distribution, Inc.

Morgan Stanley AIP GP LP

Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners LP

 

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

 

(f)           Not applicable.

 

(g)          See table above.

 

(h)         The audit committee of the Board of 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.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

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

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

(b)  There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the 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. Exhibits

 

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

 

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

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Morgan Stanley Variable Investment Series

 

/s/ John H. Gernon

 

John H. Gernon

Principal Executive Officer

February 19, 2014

 

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

February 19, 2014

 

/s/ Francis Smith

 

Francis Smith

Principal Financial Officer

February 19, 2014